Maryland Bills

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 692: Maryland Transportation Authority - Video Toll Facilities - Study on Image Capture of License Plates

HB 692 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to study whether video toll facilities in Maryland can reliably capture only the rear license plate of vehicles instead of both front and rear plates. The study must identify necessary system upgrades and assess potential impacts, such as accuracy or enforcement effects, of this change. The Authority must complete the study and report findings to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2025. This bill does not implement the change but evaluates its feasibility for future consideration. The study directly affects toll operations managed by the Maryland Transportation Authority.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 1137: Maryland Transit Administration - Baltimore East-West Corridor - Property Acquisition

HB 1137 prohibits the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) from acquiring real property for the Baltimore East-West Corridor Red Line project if the acquisition would force residents to move from their homes. Specifically, it amends Maryland law (Article Transportation, Section 7-718) to ban MTA property acquisitions that cause involuntary residential displacement during planning, construction, or operation of the Red Line. The bill directly affects the MTA and residents in neighborhoods potentially impacted by the Red Line project. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and focuses solely on preventing displacement during property acquisition, not halting the project itself.

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Transportation

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 481: On-Farm Home Processing License - Revenue Limit - Prohibition

SB 481 removes a $40,000 annual sales limit on food processed under on-farm home processing licenses in Maryland. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from restricting revenue derived from such food, directly affecting farmers who process food in home kitchens on their own farms. The bill repeals the existing revenue cap and requires the Department to update regulations by October 1, 2025. This policy change takes effect July 1, 2025, allowing eligible farmers to sell more of their home-processed food without revenue restrictions.

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 934: Alcoholic Beverages – Premium Cigar Lounge License – Establishment (Maryland Premium Cigar Lounge Act of 2025)

SB 934 creates a new "Premium Cigar Lounge" license (Class C-PCL) in Maryland, allowing tobacco retailers that primarily sell premium cigars and pipe tobacco to also serve alcohol on-premises. The license exempts these lounges from Maryland’s Clean Indoor Air Act (which bans smoking indoors), but requires proper ventilation systems, clear smoking policy signage, and employees to acknowledge secondhand smoke exposure. To qualify, establishments must derive at least 60% of daily revenue from premium cigars and accessories (not alcohol), pay a $2,000 annual fee, and submit sales reports. The bill also extends a temporary ban on issuing new alcohol licenses to tobacco retailers until June 30, 2025.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 440: State Highway Administration - Memorials - Maryland Route 210 in Prince George's County PG 307-25

HB 440 designates a specific segment of Maryland Route 210 in Prince George’s County (between mile markers 11.359 and 11.672) for a memorial sign. The bill requires the State Highway Administration to erect a visible sign along this stretch bearing the text: “IN MEMORY OF THE LIVES LOST ON MARYLAND ROUTE 210. WE ARE MAKING OUR HIGHWAY SAFER.” This is a commemorative measure honoring individuals who died in motor vehicle accidents on that route, with no changes to traffic laws or road infrastructure. The memorial will be installed by October 1, 2025.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 77: Commission to Study African American Civil War Sailors in Maryland

HB 77 establishes a commission to study the history of African American sailors who served in the Union Navy during the Civil War in Maryland. The commission, composed of appointed state officials and representatives from historical organizations, will examine muster rolls, service locations, and honors received by these sailors. By December 1, 2025, the commission must recommend funding, design, and location for a memorial dedicated to them, with the bill expiring June 30, 2026. This is a procedural bill focused on historical study and memorial planning, not direct policy implementation.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 142: State Government - Veterans and Military Families Ombudsman - Establishment

HB 142 establishes a Veterans and Military Families Ombudsman position within Maryland's Department of Veterans and Military Families. The Ombudsman, who must be a veteran, serves as a neutral resource to help veterans and military families navigate state and federal services, explain their rights, and identify patterns in complaints. Key provisions include operating a toll-free hotline (available in multiple languages), maintaining confidentiality, and submitting annual reports to the Governor and legislature starting in 2026. This bill directly affects veterans, military families, and the state agency responsible for implementing the program. The Ombudsman’s role focuses on providing information and support, not changing existing benefits or services.

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 521: State Procurement - Commercial Nondiscrimination Policy - Antisemitism

HB 521 amends Maryland's state procurement law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on antisemitism, adding it to the list of protected characteristics alongside race, religion, gender, and others. The bill requires state agencies to deny contracts to business entities that discriminate against vendors, suppliers, or commercial customers due to antisemitism, using the internationally recognized IHRA definition. This directly affects all businesses bidding for or providing goods/services to the Maryland state government. The law updates existing procurement rules (Sections 19-101 through 19-115) without creating new enforcement mechanisms, aligning state policy with federal standards.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 1290: General Provisions - Full-Year Daylight Saving Time

HB 1290 would make Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Maryland's permanent standard time, replacing the current system of switching between Eastern Standard Time and EDT. It directly affects all state courts, banks, public offices, and official proceedings by requiring them to operate on EDT year-round. The bill's implementation depends entirely on a federal law change (15 U.S.C. § 260a) allowing states to adopt year-round daylight saving time, with the Secretary of State monitoring federal action and notifying the Department of Legislative Services if the change occurs. If federal approval isn't secured by December 31, 2030, the bill becomes void. The law would take effect July 1, 2025, if the federal change occurs before that date.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 989: On-Farm Home Processing License - Revenue Limit - Prohibition

HB 989 removes a $40,000 annual sales limit on food processed under on-farm home processing licenses. The bill prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from restricting revenue from food sold by farm owners using home kitchens on their property. It requires the Department to update regulations (COMAR 10.15.04.15) by October 1, 2025, to eliminate the revenue cap. This directly affects Maryland farm owners who process and sell food from their homes.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025

HB 555: Early Childhood Education - Child Care Scholarship Program - Eligibility

HB 555 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program eligibility rules. It requires children to reside in Maryland, be under 13 (or under 19 with a verified disability), and live in a household meeting income and need requirements. Crucially, the bill prohibits the State Department of Education from considering a parent, guardian, or child's immigration status when determining eligibility. The bill also establishes a temporary subsidy process allowing families to receive immediate assistance while completing full applications within 15 days.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 19, 2025

HB 656: Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Athletic and Event Facility License

HB 656 creates a new Class B license for athletic and event facilities in Wicomico County, allowing them to sell beer, wine, and liquor for on-site consumption. It applies to venues with a kitchen for food service and at least 500 capacity, including stadiums, auditoriums, banquet halls, or conference centers. The bill requires the county Board of License Commissioners to adopt new regulations first, banning alcohol for youth events and setting rules for outlets, capital investment, sales hours, and annual fees. The license cannot be issued until these regulations take effect, and the law becomes effective July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects Wicomico County venues seeking to serve alcohol under specific conditions.

Bill results