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.
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.
SB 558 establishes Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program within the Department of Natural Resources. The program provides $2 million annually (starting fiscal year 2028) from the Transportation Trust Fund to fund oyster propagation and replenishment projects. These projects specifically offset damage to the state's oyster population caused by transportation activities at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, including dredging, pier/bridge construction, and shipping channel maintenance. The funding must be included in the governor's annual budget bill. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1581 updates Maryland's horse racing regulations, primarily affecting Pimlico Race Course operators and the Maryland Stadium Authority. It transfers operational authority for Pimlico from the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority to the Maryland Stadium Authority and requires the new "thoroughbred racetrack operator" (e.g., Maryland Jockey Club or its successor) to submit financial statements to the Stadium Authority. The bill ensures the Preakness Stakes remains at Pimlico after reconstruction by mandating that long-term agreements include continuity of the event. It also revises licensing rules for mile tracks to limit licenses to specific entities or their designated successors and adjusts fund distributions from the Purse Dedication Account. These changes aim to streamline operations and secure the Preakness Stakes' future at Pimlico.
SB 893 authorizes retail businesses and employers to round cash transactions to the nearest five cents. It allows merchants to round prices ending in 1-2¢ or 6-7¢ down to the nearest nickel, and prices ending in 3-4¢ or 8-9¢ up to the nearest nickel for transactions of at least 5 cents. For transactions under 5 cents, merchants must round up to 5 cents. The bill also permits employers to round cash wages to the nearest nickel, and it overrides conflicting local regulations. This directly affects businesses processing cash payments and employers paying employees in cash.
HB 1026 authorizes merchants and employers to round cash transactions to the nearest 5-cent increment under specific rules. Merchants may round down (e.g., 98¢ to 95¢) for prices ending in 1-2¢ or 6-7¢, and round up (e.g., 93¢ to 95¢) for prices ending in 3-4¢ or 8-9¢. For transactions under 5¢, merchants must round up to 5¢. Employers may similarly round cash wages. The bill preempts conflicting local regulations but applies only to cash payments (not digital or card transactions), directly affecting businesses, employers, and customers in cash-based transactions.
HB 870, the "Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act," requires new construction of large commercial and multifamily residential buildings (over 35,000 square feet) to meet specific energy conservation standards set by the Maryland Department of Labor. The bill defines "covered buildings" to include most large commercial structures and state-owned buildings, but excludes historic properties, schools, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural buildings. It mandates that adopted energy conservation requirements must be at least as stringent as the International Energy Conservation Code, with the state allowed to set stricter standards to improve efficiency. The law also establishes clear definitions for terms like "energy conservation measure" to guide implementation and ensure consistency.
SB 670 clarifies and expands the authority of local election board employees at polling places in Maryland. It requires police officers on duty at polling places to obey orders from these employees (not just election judges) and grants employees the power to keep the peace, order arrests for disruptive behavior, and protect challengers or watchers. The bill also allows employees to deny entry to challengers or watchers who arrive less than 30 minutes before polls open or who might delay polling place openings. These changes directly affect local election employees, police officers, and individuals acting as challengers or watchers during elections. The law amends specific sections of Maryland’s election code to establish these procedures, effective June 1, 2026.
HB 1001 clarifies that local board of elections employees at polling places have direct authority over police officers and can maintain order during elections. The bill requires police on duty at polling places to follow local board employees' orders (not just election judges), and grants these employees the power to deny entry to challengers or watchers arriving less than 30 minutes before polls open. It also allows local board employees to remove challengers or watchers who interfere with voting (such as by trying to influence voters, conversing with voters, or handling election documents), while protecting their rights to observe elections. These changes apply statewide and take effect June 1, 2026.
HB 1448 requires Maryland municipalities to submit specific election information to the State Board of Elections by set deadlines. Municipalities must provide candidate qualification requirements 6 months before candidate filing, and a list of qualified candidates plus voting procedure/location details one week after filing. The State Board must immediately post all submitted information on its website. This bill directly affects voters seeking clear election details and municipalities managing local elections, with additional requirements for posting election results broken down by voting method (mail-in, early, election day) within 30 days of certification.
SB 673 requires state contractors working on covered projects (like construction or public works) to use registered apprenticeship programs that meet minimum completion rates set by the Maryland Department of Labor. Contractors must verify compliance through payments to the State Apprenticeship Training Fund or direct participation in approved programs. The bill amends existing procurement laws to hold contractors accountable for apprenticeship program effectiveness, aiming to improve workforce development outcomes. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all relevant state procurement contracts.
HB 798, the "Small Business Increased Access to Capital Act," allows eligible fund managers to charge management fees based on loans made to small, minority, and women-owned businesses. Specifically, it authorizes fees of 1.5% to 3% of each loan’s principal amount, paid from the business account itself. The Department of Commerce can set an annual cap on total management fees an eligible fund manager may collect. This directly affects fund managers managing these accounts, enabling them to cover administrative costs related to lending activities while maintaining oversight of fee levels.
