HB 1235 requires Maryland state agencies to use standardized evaluation criteria when awarding competitive procurement contracts, replacing the previous focus on lowest price. It mandates that all bid invitations include these criteria and that responsive bids must contain a State and local economic impact statement detailing how the contract would benefit Maryland's economy. This bill directly affects state agencies issuing procurement contracts and businesses bidding on those contracts by changing how bids are evaluated to prioritize the "most favorable" option based on predefined factors. The law amends Maryland's procurement statutes (Sections 13-103 and 13-104 of the Annotated Code) to implement these changes.
HB 1064 establishes a unified Maryland Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to replace the separate Education and Health Inspector General offices, creating a single oversight body for all state agencies. The bill sets rules for appointing the Inspector General (requiring a non-partisan affidavit and a 5-year term), mandates full cooperation from state agencies during audits and investigations, and protects OIG records from public disclosure under Maryland's Public Information Act. It also extends whistleblower protections to state employees who report concerns to the OIG and allows the Governor to transfer staff and funding to the new office. The bill directly affects state agencies (which must cooperate with the OIG) and state employees (who gain enhanced protections when reporting wrongdoing).
HB 1177 requires Maryland's State certification agency to create an outreach program, working with the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, the Military Department, and the Department of Veterans and Military Families. The program aims to increase participation by veteran-owned small businesses in Maryland's small business reserve program, which prioritizes contracts for qualifying businesses. The bill mandates annual reports to state officials detailing the outreach program's status and the number and value of contracts awarded to veteran-owned businesses. This bill amends Maryland law to implement these requirements, effective October 1, 2026.
HB 1074 updates Maryland's public ethics law to expand the definition of "qualifying relative" to include son-in-law and daughter-in-law for conflict of interest rules. It requires local governments and school boards to adopt ethics rules that meet or exceed state standards, including provisions for judicial relief when conflicts occur and mandating that ethics commissions publicly report certain recommendations. The bill also ensures local lobbying regulations align with state law and clarifies restrictions on officials participating in matters involving relatives or businesses tied to their personal interests. These changes directly affect local government officials, school board members, and employees in Maryland who must comply with updated conflict-of-interest requirements.
HB 1449 establishes the Maryland Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to independently oversee state agency operations. It creates an Advisory Board (with the Governor, Comptroller, and legislative leaders) to appoint the OIG director, who must have expertise in auditing, law, or public administration and serve a 6-year term. The bill requires all state agencies ("units") to fully cooperate with OIG investigations and audits, protects whistleblowers who report misconduct to the OIG, and ensures confidentiality for OIG records under public information laws. This new office directly affects state agencies by mandating their cooperation and provides a formal structure for oversight of state government spending and operations.
HB 1206 establishes the DBE Reevaluation Assistance Program to help Maryland-based businesses certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) with federal certification (as of October 3, 2025) that must undergo reevaluation or face recertification denial. The program, to be created by the Department of Social and Economic Mobility in collaboration with the Department of Commerce by December 1, 2026, provides direct support including help with application preparation, financial documentation, ownership verification, and legal structure compliance. It also allows partnerships with third parties like small business development centers and law school clinics to deliver these services. The bill specifically targets DBEs needing assistance navigating reevaluation processes, not broader business support.
HB 1488 proposes amending the Maryland Constitution to replace gendered terms like "man," "his," and "him" with gender-neutral language such as "person" and "their." It specifically targets multiple articles and sections across the Constitution (including the Declaration of Rights, Executive Department, and Judiciary Department) to update outdated terminology. The bill does not change substantive rights or policies but modernizes the language to be inclusive. This is a procedural constitutional amendment focused solely on terminology, not on altering legal obligations or government functions.
HB 1336 updates Maryland's payment rules for construction and procurement contracts to apply to local government projects like city buildings, schools, and public facilities. It requires local governments to pay contractors within 30 days of a building’s occupancy permit or possession, mandates written notice with specific reasons if payment is withheld (capping withheld amounts at twice the disputed sum), and sets 2% monthly interest on overdue payments starting 61 days after an invoice. The bill directly affects contractors and subcontractors working on local government projects, ensuring clearer timelines and penalties for late payments. It does not apply to state-level contracts or emergency projects.
HB 1615 amends Maryland law to allow cooperative housing corporations and condominiums to use reserve funds for emergency purposes beyond their original funding plans, under specific conditions. It requires that any emergency use of reserves must be repaid within five years and approved by at least two-thirds of members (for co-ops) or unit owners (for condos). The bill also mandates that governing bodies develop funding plans prioritizing health, safety, and structural repairs - such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems - and review progress annually. This change affects all Maryland co-ops and condominiums with reserve funds, streamlining emergency financial access while maintaining accountability. The bill amends Sections 5-6B-26.1(g) of the Corporations and Associations article and Section 11-109.4(f) of the Real Property article in the Annotated Code of Maryland.
HB 831 establishes collective bargaining rights for county and municipal employees in Maryland by applying the state's Public Employee Relations Act (PERA) to local government workplaces. It defines "public local employees" (excluding confidential and management staff) and creates procedures for negotiations, including binding arbitration to resolve disputes between local governments and employee representatives. The bill also modifies the Public Employee Relations Board's structure and explicitly excludes school boards, community college boards, and public library systems from coverage. This directly affects thousands of local government workers across Maryland's counties and municipalities who will now have formalized bargaining processes for wages, hours, and working conditions.
HB 1462 renames Maryland's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to include "Disability" and updates the Special Secretary title to reflect this change. It expands the Special Secretary's duties to specifically address matters concerning individuals with disabilities and adjusts the purpose of the Department of Social and Economic Mobility Special Fund. The bill updates several sections of Maryland law to ensure disability-owned businesses are explicitly included in procurement processes for state contracts and community service providers. This directly affects disability-owned businesses and the Department of Social and Economic Mobility, clarifying their role in state procurement and support programs. The changes aim to integrate disability business support into existing state government structures without creating new programs.
HB 1333 establishes the Maryland Law Enforcement Public Service Medal, the state's highest honor for law enforcement officers demonstrating extraordinary bravery or sacrifice in service. The bill creates a review committee to evaluate nominations and recommend up to five annual recipients, with the governor presenting medals at a formal ceremony. It specifically names five officers (Sergeant Paul Pastorek, Corporal Jeremy Herbert, Senior Officer William Kinsey, Officer Timothy Baublitz, and Officer Garry Kirts) who responded during the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse to receive the medal at the first ceremony. The medal includes a gold medallion, certificate, and permanent honor roll listing, funded through state appropriations and private support.
