Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1473: Economic Development - Maryland's Future Board - Establishment

HB 1473 establishes the Maryland’s Future Board within the Department of Commerce to develop, evaluate, and revise a visionary economic plan for Maryland by a set deadline. The bill also creates the Maryland’s Future Fund, a nonlapsing special fund where interest earnings are automatically credited back to the fund. The board - appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker - must include diverse members representing entrepreneurs, academia, labor, business, and other sectors. The board will recommend specific projects based on its plan to the Governor and General Assembly, focusing on statewide economic growth, equity, and future trends like AI and advanced manufacturing. This bill directly affects state economic planning and funding mechanisms under the Department of Commerce.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 833: Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion

SB 833 (introduced by Senator Hershey) amends Maryland law to allow Queen Anne’s County Commissioners to use development impact fees for capital costs related to replacing public school facilities. This expands the existing authorized uses of these fees under Section 20-706 of the Maryland Annotated Code, specifically adding school facility replacement as a permitted purpose. The bill applies only to Queen Anne’s County and takes effect July 1, 2026. It is a procedural change to the county’s fee usage rules, not a new tax or broad policy shift.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1172: Howard County - Economic Development Authority - Alterations Ho. Co. 14-26

This bill modifies Howard County's Economic Development Authority by removing the requirement for the Mid-Maryland Private Industry Council Chairman to designate a private sector representative as a nonvoting board member (amending Section 26.102(b)(2)). It changes the Board's meeting frequency from "at least once each month" to "every other month" (amending Section 26.102(g)(3)). The bill also updates the title of the Authority's Chief Executive Officer (amending Section 26.103(a)(1)). These changes directly affect the Authority's internal operations and Board structure, taking effect October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1248: Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace - Established

HB 1248 establishes a 3-year pilot program (2026-2029) requiring five selected Maryland state agencies to convert eligible full-time positions into two part-time roles with prorated benefits. The bill mandates agencies to evaluate full-time vacancies for potential conversion to part-time roles and document reasons if conversion isn’t possible. It directly affects participating state agencies and future job seekers by increasing part-time employment options with benefits in state government. Agencies must report annually on conversion status and new part-time hires to the Governor and General Assembly. The program aims to improve workforce inclusivity by expanding flexible work opportunities without altering existing part-time employment rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 498: Washington County Salary Study Commission - Membership - Alterations

This bill amends Washington County's Salary Study Commission membership by replacing one business representative. Specifically, it removes "Cumberland Valley Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc." and adds "Washington County Home Builders Association, Inc." to the list of required appointees (Section 28-203(a)(7)). The commission continues to study county employee salaries with its existing 9-member structure, including political party representatives, business groups, labor, civic organizations, and an at-large member. This change affects who serves on the commission but does not alter its purpose or responsibilities.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 581: Department of Information Technology - Statewide Information Technology Master Plan - Reporting

This bill requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to post the statewide IT master plan on its website within 6 months of a new governor's inauguration. If the department misses this deadline, it must notify the governor and specific legislative committees (including Education, Energy, and Environment committees) within 10 days, explaining the delay and providing a new posting date within 3 months. The bill focuses on transparency and accountability for the IT plan's release, with no substantive changes to IT policy.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1452: Economic Development - Prince George's County Suitland Development Authority - Established

HB 1452 establishes the Suitland Development Authority in Prince George’s County to revitalize the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road intersection area, which has faced decades of underdevelopment and blight. The Authority will create neighborhood revitalization plans with resident input, modify project boundaries (subject to a vote), manage finances, and operate tax-exempt under certain conditions. It directly affects residents and businesses in this specific neighborhood by aiming to boost economic activity, reduce unemployment, retain existing businesses, and increase property tax revenue for the county and state. The bill creates a new government entity focused on targeted neighborhood redevelopment, not broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 934: Washington County Salary Study Commission - Membership - Alterations

HB 934 amends the membership composition of the Washington County Salary Study Commission by updating the representative from the building industry from "Cumberland Valley Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc." to "Washington County Home Builders Association, Inc." This change directly affects the commission's representation of the construction industry. The bill does not alter the commission's purpose (studying county salaries), voting requirements, or appointment procedures. All other membership provisions - including representation from political committees, business groups, labor, veterans, and an at-large member - remain unchanged. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on naming an organization.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 839: Frederick Community College - Board of Trustees - Meeting and Training Requirements

HB 839 requires the Frederick Community College Board of Trustees to include public comment at every meeting and record all meetings via video or audio. The board must make these recordings freely available to the public on its website within two business days. Additionally, board members must complete governance training focused on board responsibilities every two years. This bill directly affects the college's seven-member board, which is appointed by the governor for five-year terms. The changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in the board's operations.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1252: Department of Housing and Community Development - Montgomery County Study MC 19-26

HB 1252 requires Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development to study housing availability and affordability in Montgomery County and propose solutions. The study must examine housing types, development opportunities, and how regulations/market forces impact supply, with recommendations to increase housing options. The department must submit interim reports by November 2026 and 2027, plus a final report by November 2028, to Montgomery County officials and the Maryland General Assembly. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2029, after a 3-year study period. It directly affects Montgomery County residents by addressing local housing challenges through a structured policy review.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1267: Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act)

HB 1267 requires local zoning authorities to maintain specific zoning classifications for two federal properties: the Patuxent Research Refuge and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The bill mandates that any portion of these properties sold, leased, or transferred by the federal government must retain a zoning classification restricting uses to open space, reserved open space, or resource conservation - prohibiting commercial, industrial, or residential development. This applies to the Patuxent Refuge under Section 4-217 and to Beltsville Agricultural Research Center property under Section 25-211 of Maryland law. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, and permanently prohibits local zoning exceptions for these properties.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 864: Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

HB 864 (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) requires contractors and subcontractors on Maryland public works projects to employ a minimum percentage of qualified apprentices or journeyworkers instead of paying fees to apprenticeship programs. The bill expands this requirement to cover construction projects for the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. It repeals current provisions allowing contractors to pay fees in lieu of hiring apprentices and directs the Secretary of Labor to set an annual apprenticeship hiring percentage for each project. This policy change directly affects contractors bidding on public construction projects valued above specific thresholds, aiming to increase on-the-job training opportunities in skilled trades.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results