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Maryland Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 26,430 Active 12,181 In committee 12,181 Passed 3,693 Signed 7,929 Failed 2,304

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 946: Historic Revitalization Tax Credit - Alterations

SB 946 updates Maryland's Historic Revitalization Tax Credit program by removing a rule that previously blocked tax credits for rehabilitation costs already funded by state or local governments. It expands eligibility by allowing credits for projects in designated areas with strong economic development potential and revises how "substantial rehabilitation" is defined to give more time for spending. The bill affects business entities (including nonprofits and condo/co-op projects) rehabilitating certified historic structures by treating each structure as a separate credit-eligible project and creating a reserve fund for supplemental credits. These changes aim to make the tax credit more accessible for commercial historic preservation efforts while streamlining application processing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1584: Delivery Network Companies and Delivery Network Services - Regulation and Transparency

HB 1584 establishes a regulatory framework for delivery network companies (like Uber Eats or DoorDash) and their drivers ("operators") in Maryland. It requires companies to obtain state permits and drivers to get licenses after background checks (including criminal history and driving records). The bill mandates accessibility standards for apps/websites and requires companies to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. These provisions directly affect gig economy drivers and delivery companies operating in Maryland, creating new licensing, transparency, and accessibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1089: Consumer Protection - Data Broker Registry - Establishment

HB 1089 requires data brokers operating in Maryland or collecting data on Maryland residents to register annually with the Attorney General’s Office starting January 31, 2028. Data brokers must submit details about the personal data they collect, sources, third parties they share with, consumer contact information, and opt-out methods. The Attorney General will maintain a public, searchable database of registered brokers (excluding trade secrets) and set tiered fees based on the broker’s annual revenue. The law aims to increase transparency for consumers about data practices without restricting lawful data collection, with enforcement including civil penalties for non-compliance. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and requires the Attorney General to report compliance metrics and consumer complaints to the legislature by December 2029.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1517: Land Use - Qualified Project - Retaliatory Downzoning

HB 1517 protects residential development projects targeted by "retaliatory downzoning" by allowing higher density. It defines a "qualified project" as a residential development (new construction or major renovation) that faced zoning changes after local officials publicly opposed it, while meeting affordable housing requirements (15% affordable units for 40 years, or 20% in jurisdictions with stricter prior rules). The bill requires local jurisdictions to permit density exceeding standard limits: 60% higher than typical in multifamily zones, or 50% of previous zoning density. This applies to projects in single-family, multifamily, nonresidential, or mixed-use areas, with specific density rules for each zone type.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1429: Consumer Protection - Right to Repair - Motor Vehicles and Farm Equipment

HB 1429 requires car and farm equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair shops and vehicle owners with the tools, information, and data needed for diagnosis, service, and repair. Specifically, it mandates that manufacturers install open data platforms in vehicles with wireless diagnostic systems to allow third parties access to repair data, and prohibits farm equipment makers from withholding or misrepresenting part numbers. The bill also requires manufacturers to give consumers a document explaining their rights to access vehicle data at the time of purchase. These provisions aim to make repairs more accessible by reducing manufacturer control over repair information.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1318: Department of Human Services - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Error Reduction

This bill requires Maryland's Department of Human Services to develop a process for identifying and reducing administrative errors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Department must systematically analyze SNAP processing mistakes, create strategies to improve eligibility determination, and monitor progress toward reducing errors. It also mandates that Maryland work to achieve SNAP error rates matching the best-performing state, as measured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The law directly affects the Department of Human Services and local county offices administering SNAP benefits.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1296: Preliminary Subdivision and Site Plans – Safe School Route Reports – Requirement

HB 1296 requires developers of new residential projects with at least five homes located within walking distance of a public school to submit a "Safe School Route Report" as part of their preliminary subdivision or site plan. The report must identify affected schools, assess existing pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, propose safe routes, and detail gaps or hazards like missing sidewalks. This applies to most new housing developments but excludes projects intended as housing for older persons under federal law. Local governments cannot approve such plans without this report, aiming to improve safety for students walking or biking to school.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1460: Landlord and Tenant - Investor-Owned Single-Family Rental Property - Landlord Requirements

HB 1460 (Landlord and Tenant - Investor-Owned Single-Family Rental Property - Landlord Requirements) limits rent for investor-owned single-family rentals (defined as properties owned by individuals with two or more rental properties in Maryland). It sets a maximum rent at 120% of either the federal fair market rent for the area or the home’s last sale price divided by 12, and prohibits landlords from charging more than documented utility costs or $100/month in mandatory fees. Landlords must disclose the fair market rent, last sale price, and maximum allowable rent to tenants before lease agreements, and the state must maintain a public registry of these landlords. Violations can result in fines up to $10,000, license suspension, or tenant lawsuits seeking triple damages. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1436: Office of the Attorney General - Federal- and State-Assisted Housing Programs - Grievance Process

HB 1436 establishes a formal grievance process managed by Maryland's Office of the Attorney General for tenants in federal and state-assisted housing programs (including public housing, voucher programs, and emergency shelters). It requires housing providers to include grievance process notices in leases and annual communications, while the Attorney General's Office must investigate complaints, mediate disputes, and provide legal service referrals. If mediation fails, the Office can take legal action against non-compliant providers or those violating housing laws, and providers must compensate tenants harmed by violations. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the legislature on grievance outcomes.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1331: Maryland Department of Health and Department of Human Services - Public Benefits - Eligibility and Prohibitions

HB 1331 requires Maryland’s Department of Health and Department of Human Services to verify eligibility for public benefits (like Medicaid) through automated data-sharing with federal and state agencies, replacing self-attestation. It mandates monthly reviews of death records, incarceration, and address changes, and quarterly checks of tax filings, employment, and income data to ensure ongoing eligibility. The bill prohibits providing benefits to non-citizens, requires annual inspections of retail facilities for certain programs, and establishes new work requirement compliance reviews. These changes directly affect individuals applying for or receiving public assistance by shifting verification from self-reported information to cross-checked data.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Healthcare ✗ Immigration

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1501: Department of Housing and Community Development - Homeless Shelter Certification

HB 1501 requires Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development to create a certification program for homeless shelters, mandating that all shelters obtain certification by July 1, 2026, or cease operations. The bill establishes a tiered certification system prioritizing year-round shelters (including transitional and medical care shelters) over seasonal or motel-based shelters, with staggered application deadlines for different shelter types. It mandates specific requirements for certification, including organizational documentation, regular on-site inspections, and a grievance process for residents to report violations. This directly affects all homeless shelter operators statewide, requiring them to meet new standards or face penalties for operating without certification after the deadline.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1322: Higher Education - Freedom of Expression on Campus - Protection (Maryland Campus Area Free Expression Act)

HB 1322 requires Maryland public universities to treat all outdoor campus areas as public forums where students, faculty, staff, and guests can engage in expression without being confined to designated "free speech zones." It allows only reasonable, content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions that don’t disrupt campus operations or block spontaneous assembly. The bill prohibits charging security fees based on speech content and permits the Attorney General or affected individuals to sue schools for violations. This directly affects public university campuses and their community members by clarifying free speech boundaries under state law.