Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1557: Procurement - Real Estate Advisory Committee and Property Acquisition and Lease Requirements

HB 1557 creates a Real Estate Advisory Committee within Maryland's Department of General Services to review major state real estate transactions (leases, renewals, or purchases exceeding $500,000 annually). The committee, composed of state agency officials and appointed experts, must analyze cost-benefit comparisons, parking needs, and justifications for non-standard terms before recommending approval to the Board of Public Works. It requires state agencies to submit detailed documentation - including rent justification, renovation costs, and landlord payment history - with all proposals. The bill mandates annual committee reports to the Governor and legislature, aiming to ensure transparency and cost-effectiveness in state real estate procurement.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1239: Public Safety - Critical Infrastructure Protection

HB 1239 establishes a Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch within Maryland’s Coordination and Analysis Center to enhance state-wide security planning. It requires the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate responses to infrastructure attacks and sets cybersecurity reporting standards for critical infrastructure owners (like utility companies and hospitals). The bill also allows these private sector operators to join Maryland’s Information Sharing and Analysis Center to share threat data and receive security best practices. These provisions aim to improve threat identification, vulnerability assessments, and cross-sector coordination for systems vital to public safety and the economy.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1422: State Procurement and Personnel - Liquidated Damages Documentation Requirements and State Fiscal Leadership Capacity

HB 1422 requires Maryland state agencies receiving at least $2 billion annually in state and federal funds to appoint chief financial officers (CFOs) meeting specific qualifications, such as being a certified public accountant with five years of fiscal management experience or holding a relevant master's degree with three years of experience. These CFOs must submit detailed annual financial reports to the Office of the Comptroller, including certification of accuracy and documentation linking federal funds to specific programs. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Budget to grant pay plan exemptions to help recruit qualified CFOs and mandates agencies to provide documentation if they choose not to pursue liquidated damages from contract breaches. This legislation applies to Executive Branch units meeting the funding threshold and aims to standardize financial oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1369: Department of Budget and Management - Audit and Finance Compliance Unit - Establishment

HB 1369 establishes an Audit and Finance Compliance Unit within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management. The unit directly affects all Executive Branch state agencies by requiring it to monitor their progress in resolving audit findings reported by the Office of Legislative Audits. Key provisions include creating a public dashboard on the unit's website showing unresolved findings, repeat issues, and resolution timelines (to be operational by October 2027), and providing specialized assistance to agencies with four or more repeat audit findings. The bill also mandates annual reports to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee on dashboard status.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1164: Water Companies, Sewage Disposal Companies, and Water and Sewage Disposal Companies - Limited-Income Mechanisms

HB 1164 allows water and sewage disposal companies in Maryland to use the same rates for multiple systems (even if not connected) and combine their costs and revenues when setting rates. It requires the Public Service Commission to approve these rate consolidations and permits gradual rate adjustments over up to three years. The bill also extends existing limited-income assistance programs - like payment plans for low-income households (earning ≤175% of federal poverty level) - to water and sewage companies, ensuring these customers receive the same support previously available to electric and gas providers. This primarily affects utility companies and their residential customers with limited income.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 641: State Procurement - Exceptions - Historic Preservation Services (The Honorable Barrie S. Ciliberti Historic Preservation Act of 2026)

SB 641 creates an exception to Maryland's standard state procurement rules for specific historic preservation, archaeology, and conservation projects. It allows the Department of General Services, Housing and Community Development, Planning, and Transportation to directly partner with nonprofit entities for these projects without following full competitive bidding. However, contracts under this exception must include three mandatory requirements: competitive subcontracting transparency, annual reporting on outcomes and spending, and efforts to involve local communities. The bill applies to projects related to historic preservation services and takes effect October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 556: Water Companies, Sewage Disposal Companies, and Water and Sewage Disposal Companies - Limited-Income Mechanisms

SB 556 allows water and sewage disposal companies in Maryland to combine rates and costs across multiple systems they own, making billing simpler for customers. It requires the Public Service Commission to approve these rate consolidations and permits gradual rate adjustments over up to three years to avoid sudden changes. The bill also extends existing low-income assistance programs - like payment plans for customers with limited income - to these water and sewage companies. This directly affects regulated water/sewage providers and their residential customers, particularly those qualifying for income-based support. The law updates Maryland’s utility regulations to streamline operations while maintaining protections for low-income households.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 953: Revenue Stabilization Account - Transfer of Funds - State Disaster Recovery Fund

HB 953 authorizes the Governor, with the Board of Public Works' approval, to transfer funds from Maryland's Revenue Stabilization Account to the State Disaster Recovery Fund. This specifically allows using surplus state funds for disaster recovery efforts after major emergencies, such as natural disasters. The transfer is limited to amounts that leave at least 5% of the Revenue Stabilization Account's estimated annual revenue balance. The bill modifies existing law to streamline this process without creating new programs or funding streams.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 968: Education - School Bus - Fire Safety Standards

SB 968 repeals Maryland's requirement that school buses be constructed with materials meeting the National School Transportation specifications' seat upholstery fire block test. Instead, it directs the Motor Vehicle Administration (with input from the Department) to develop new fire safety regulations for school buses. This change directly affects all school buses operating in Maryland, shifting oversight from a specific federal standard to state-developed regulations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Maryland Code, Education Article, Section 7-808.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 856: Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act)

HB 856 requires Maryland's local school systems to use a national Educator Identification Clearinghouse to screen job candidates for licensed educator positions starting October 1, 2026. The State Department of Education must register all school systems as members of the clearinghouse and pay associated membership fees. School systems must ensure candidates apply for and obtain the required teaching license before starting work and before interacting with students. This bill directly affects all Maryland public school systems and individuals seeking licensed teaching roles.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 963: Registers of Wills - Appointment of Personal Representatives

HB 963 repeals a Maryland law that previously prohibited noncitizens from serving as personal representatives (executors) of estates unless they were U.S. permanent residents and related to the deceased (e.g., spouse, ancestor, descendant, or sibling). The bill removes this citizenship barrier, allowing any qualified individual - including noncitizen residents - to be appointed as an executor without needing to meet the previous relationship or residency requirements. This change directly affects noncitizen residents seeking to manage estates in Maryland probate court. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 648: Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act)

SB 648 requires all Maryland local school systems to join a national Educator Identification Clearinghouse (operated by a national membership organization) for background checks on educator job candidates. It mandates that schools screen every candidate for licensed educator positions starting October 1, 2026, using this clearinghouse. Candidates must apply for their teaching license after receiving an offer but before starting work, and obtain the license before interacting with students. This bill directly affects Maryland school districts and all educators seeking licensed positions in the state.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results