HB 1371 establishes the Maryland-Africa and the Caribbean Investment and Development Program within the Department of Commerce to study and promote trade and investment between Maryland's African diaspora communities and Africa/Caribbean nations. The program creates an Advisory Board (with members from diaspora businesses, community groups, academic institutions, labor, and finance) to study trade opportunities and recommend actions to the Department. It also creates the Maryland African Diaspora Investment and Development Fund, a permanent fund providing grants, low-interest loans, and business support services to diaspora-owned businesses for expansion, startup capital, and job creation - particularly focusing on Northeast Baltimore communities. The bill directly affects businesses owned by Maryland residents of African or Caribbean descent, defined as first-generation immigrants and their descendants.
HB 1502 regulates the sale and possession of consumer fireworks in Maryland while establishing a new sales tax. It defines specific safety standards for "consumer fireworks" (like small firecrackers meeting federal safety rules) and separates these from professional "display fireworks." The bill creates a new sales tax rate for qualifying fireworks, directs the revenue to state funds, and allows counties to opt out of certain local sales regulations. This directly affects consumers buying fireworks, retailers selling them, and local governments managing enforcement. The law updates existing safety and tax codes to standardize rules and generate dedicated funding.
HB 1503 authorizes Carroll County Commissioners to divide the county into planning districts and establish district planning commissions to manage local land use. These commissions would develop zoning and development plans, hold public hearings, and submit proposals to county commissioners for approval, mirroring the authority of the county-wide planning commission. The bill requires district zoning regulations to follow the same administrative procedures as county-wide land use rules, unless otherwise specified in the regulations. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 823 establishes a two-year pilot program in Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation to test blockchain technology for recording real property ownership. The program allows property owners in up to three selected counties to opt into having their titles represented as secure digital records on a blockchain registry, which law enforcement and courts could use to verify ownership and resolve disputes involving squatting. Key provisions include creating a secure blockchain registry, developing real-time validation tools for authorities, testing smart contracts for title transfers, and requiring coordination with courts and police. The pilot begins January 1, 2027, with a final report due December 2028 assessing the system's potential for broader use. This affects participating property owners, local law enforcement, and courts in pilot jurisdictions, but does not change existing property laws.
HB 1301 modifies Maryland's historic preservation law to give local jurisdictions the option of allowing people who disagree with a historic preservation commission's decision to appeal directly to their local board of appeals or circuit court (in addition to the existing appeal route). This bill directly affects property owners, developers, or residents challenging preservation rulings. The key provision (added via Section 8-308(B)) authorizes local governments to create this new appeal pathway, though it does not require them to do so. Local jurisdictions would decide whether to implement this option for appeals. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
This bill allows homeowners whose property value decreases due to an overhead transmission line built within 300 feet of their residence to sue for damages. It specifically permits property owners to recover attorney fees if they win their case and requires utilities or government entities to pay the homeowner's legal costs if a court later finds the property was overvalued during condemnation. These provisions apply to transmission line projects under Maryland's condemnation laws, amending Sections 12-104, 12-105, and 12-107 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The law aims to address compensation gaps for residential property owners affected by utility infrastructure projects.
HB 1606 limits the maximum annual interest rate creditors can charge on loans held by active-duty service members or jointly with their spouses to 6%. It requires service members to provide military orders and written notice to creditors within 180 days of leaving active duty to qualify for the rate cap. The bill forgives interest above 6% and recalculates payments during active duty, while allowing courts to override the cap if a service member’s ability to pay isn’t affected by deployment. This amendment to Maryland’s Commercial Law (Sections 12-102.1 and 12-107) takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1613 updates Caroline County's local laws governing alcoholic beverages by specifying that the inspector for the Board of License Commissioners must be either the county codes administrator or an individual appointed by the Board. It amends two sections of Maryland's Annotated Code (15-102 and 15-206) to clarify this role, including the inspector's duties in enforcing local alcohol laws and salary being set by the county budget. The bill directly affects Caroline County's Board of License Commissioners and county staff responsible for alcohol licensing oversight. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1610 removes a requirement that Maryland school buses must be constructed with materials meeting specific fire safety tests outlined in National School Transportation standards. Instead, it directs the Motor Vehicle Administration (with input from the Department) to develop new fire safety regulations for school buses. This bill directly affects all Maryland public school buses and their manufacturers by changing the compliance standard from a fixed national test to a new regulatory process. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1228 exempts premiums paid by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems in Maryland for their own captive insurance (insurance they set up themselves) from the state's 3% premium receipts tax. This applies to all entities within the system, including parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliated providers. The bill removes the tax obligation for these organizations on qualifying captive insurance premiums and prohibits the state from collecting past-due taxes, fees, or penalties related to this tax before the law takes effect. It directly affects nonprofit health care providers across Maryland by reducing their insurance-related costs.
HB 1240 would update Maryland law to allow licensed sports wagering facilities to accept bets on historical horse races (races that have already occurred). The bill amends the definition of "sporting event" to include historical horse races and sets specific rules for accepting such wagers. It requires that proceeds from these wagers be distributed according to existing law and mandates that the bill be submitted to a statewide voter referendum. This change directly affects licensed sports wagering operators and their ability to offer a new type of bet, while maintaining existing regulatory frameworks.
HB 1547 modifies Maryland's lead risk reduction requirements for property owners in housing. It requires owners to complete specific lead hazard reduction measures - such as inspecting paint, repairing peeling paint, covering lead-based paint on windows, and cleaning after repairs - within 30 days of receiving written notice about a person at risk (e.g., a child with elevated blood lead levels) or a reported defect. The bill updates the timeline for compliance, adjusting the conditions under which the "modified risk reduction standard" must be met based on the date of blood lead testing or defect notification. This affects owners of housing properties where lead hazards are present and a person at risk is identified.
