Maryland Bills

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1224: Property Taxes - Special Rate for Vacant and Abandoned Property - Charter County Tax Limitation PG 408-26

HB 1224 allows charter counties in Maryland (like Prince George's County) to impose a higher property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties that exceed their usual tax rate limits under county charters. The bill authorizes counties to collect additional tax revenue from these properties and direct it into the county’s general fund, bypassing standard charter restrictions. Counties must annually report details including the number of affected properties, revenue changes, and whether properties are being prepared for reuse. This policy directly affects property owners of vacant lots or uninhabitable buildings cited for housing violations, aiming to generate revenue for county services without requiring charter amendments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 305: Baltimore County - Nuisance Actions - Community Association

HB 305 modifies Maryland law to give Baltimore County community associations new legal tools to address neighborhood nuisances. It redefines "community association" to include incorporated groups meeting specific membership and operational criteria, and clarifies that "local code violations" include most housing and nuisance offenses (excluding rent escrow and stormwater issues). The bill requires associations to provide 60-day written notice to Baltimore County Code Enforcement and property owners/tenants before filing court actions for nuisance abatement, and removes a requirement for courts to set bond amounts in such cases. This directly affects community associations seeking court orders to resolve issues like unsafe conditions or illegal activities impacting neighbors.

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 40: Baltimore County Board of Education - Alterations of Elected Member Districts and Establishment of Redistricting Process

SB 40 changes how Baltimore County School Board members are elected by replacing the current system of seven elected members from council districts with a new system requiring seven elected members from geographically defined school board districts. Starting with the 2034 election, these districts will be redrawn after each U.S. census (beginning after the 2030 census) to ensure population equality, and the Baltimore County delegation chair must introduce redistricting legislation following each census. The bill also establishes term limits (max three consecutive terms), residency requirements for candidates, and clarifies that incumbents remain in office if district boundaries change during their term. This directly affects Baltimore County residents who vote for the school board and the elected members themselves, altering the electoral map for school governance.

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 57: Primary and Secondary Educators - Licenses and Public Profiles - Notation of Veteran Status

This bill allows Maryland's Department of Education to voluntarily add a veteran status notation to the licenses and public profiles of primary and secondary educators. Educators who provide documentation (like a DD Form 214 or VA certification) and consent to the notation can have "Veteran" displayed on their license and public profile. The department would also share this veteran status information with state agencies upon request to help determine eligibility for veterans' benefits. The policy applies only to educators who choose to participate and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 301: Veterans' Discounts Act

SB 301, the Veterans' Discounts Act, authorizes Maryland state agencies to waive certain fees set by law for veterans. It requires these agencies to adopt specific regulations before implementing fee waivers, ensuring consistent application. The bill affects veterans seeking reduced fees for services like business licenses, professional registrations, and recreational permits managed by various state departments. It amends multiple sections across Maryland’s code (including Agriculture, Business Regulation, and Natural Resources) to establish this waiver framework. The law creates a formal process for fee reductions but does not specify which fees or veterans qualify.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 167: Department of Natural Resources - Licenses, Permits, Registrations, and Public Profiles - Notation of Veteran Status

SB 167 allows Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to add a veteran status notation to licenses, permits, registrations, or public profiles upon request. Veterans applying for these items must submit proof (like a DD-214 or VA certification) and consent to having the notation and sharing their eligibility for benefits with agencies. The bill requires the department to include the notation if proof and consent are provided, and to electronically share eligible veterans' information with state agencies upon request. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to DNR-issued licenses and permits.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 295: Gaming - Prohibition on Interactive Games and Revenue From Illegal Markets

HB 295 prohibits operating, conducting, or promoting "interactive games" (internet/mobile games simulating casino games, lotteries, or sports betting) in Maryland. It requires license applicants and holders to annually report business relationships with entities supporting such games and disclose any revenue from jurisdictions where interactive gaming is illegal. The bill bars the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission from issuing licenses to entities accepting revenue from high-risk jurisdictions (e.g., terrorism sponsors or Financial Action Task Force "call for action" areas). This directly affects gaming license applicants, current licensees, and businesses operating in or connected to illegal gaming markets. The law aims to prevent Maryland-based operations from engaging with unregulated or prohibited gaming activities.

Topics ✗ Technology

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 502: Real Property - Governing Bodies of Common Ownership Communities - Member Training

HB 502 requires board members and officers of residential condominiums and homeowners associations in Maryland to complete a mandatory training program within 90 days of taking office or starting a new term. The training covers Maryland’s condo and homeowners association laws, governance responsibilities, financial management, dispute resolution, and legal requirements. Existing members had until October 1, 2026, to comply, with certificates valid for three years and requiring renewal. Non-compliance may result in removal from office or invalidated votes, as specified in the bill.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 387: Commissioned Public Art - Artist Rights and Registration of Art

HB 387 protects artists' rights by prohibiting state-funded public art contracts from requiring artists to waive copyright protections. It also mandates that entities commissioning such art register key details - including the artist's name, location, type, title, and installation date - with the Maryland State Arts Council. The bill directly affects artists and state agencies involved in public art projects receiving state funding, regardless of whether the state directly paid for the artwork. Registration must be completed for all new commissions after the bill's October 2026 effective date. Artists may still voluntarily waive rights in writing, but contracts cannot force such waivers.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 352: Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program - Personnel and Per Pupil Grants - Eligible Uses

HB 352 removes a fiscal year 2027 deadline that previously limited how schools could use personnel and per-pupil grants under Maryland's Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program. The bill specifically allows eligible schools with high poverty rates to use these funds for fine arts instructional programs, as defined in COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 04, Section 13A.04.16.01. This change applies to schools serving a high concentration of eligible students and takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill modifies existing law to expand allowable uses of grant funds without altering the program's core structure or eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 352: Motor Vehicles - Special Registration Plates - Old Line Plates (Old Line License Plate Program Act of 2026)

SB 352 creates a special "Old Line Plate" program for Maryland motor vehicles, allowing owners of qualifying vehicles (passenger cars, light trucks under 10,000 lbs, and multipurpose vehicles) to obtain registration plates with numeric-only license numbers (1-5 digits, no letters or leading zeros). The Motor Vehicle Administration will auction rights to specific numbers, with proceeds funding transportation costs. Owners can transfer these number rights under strict rules (e.g., 180-day holding period, limited annual transfers) but cannot claim ownership of the plate itself. The program takes effect October 1, 2026, with the first auction by December 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 582: Prince George’s County – Alcoholic Beverages Licenses – Voter Registration Requirement PG 318–26

HB 582 removes a voter registration requirement for individuals applying for or signing applications for specific alcoholic beverage licenses in Prince George’s County. The bill targets licenses for country clubs, golf clubs, yacht clubs, and educational facilities (such as the University of Maryland College Park Campus and Prince George’s Community College), which previously required the applicant or an officer to be a registered voter. It repeals this requirement while maintaining other conditions like residency and taxpayer status. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, simplifying license applications for these entities.

Bill results