Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 558: Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established

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.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1581: Economic Development - Horse Racing Facilities, Prince George's County Blue Line Corridor Facilities, and Bus Rapid Transit - Alterations

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.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 893: Business Regulation - Rounding Cash Transactions - Authorization

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.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1026: Business Regulation - Rounding Cash Transactions - Authorization

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.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 870: Environment - Permit Applications for New Buildings - Notice (Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act)

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.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 670: Election Law - Authority at Polling Places, Early Voting Centers, and Counting Centers - Revisions

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.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1001: Election Law - Authority at Polling Places, Early Voting Centers, and Counting Centers - Revisions

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.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1448: Municipal Elections - Reporting of Information to the State Board

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.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 673: State Procurement - Apprenticeship Program Accountability and Completion

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 798: Economic Development - Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Accounts - Management Fees (Small Business Increased Access to Capital Act)

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.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 848: Municipal Elections - Reporting of Information to the State Board of Elections - Requirements

SB 848 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, then submit a list of qualified candidates and voting procedures/locations (including how/where to vote) one week after filing closes. The State Board must immediately post all submitted information on its website upon receipt. This bill directly affects all Maryland municipalities holding elections and aims to increase voter access to timely election details.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 920: Economic Development - Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Accounts - Management Fees (Small Business Increased Access to Capital Act)

SB 920, the "Small Business Increased Access to Capital Act," authorizes eligible fund managers (entities managing capital for small, minority, and women-owned businesses) to charge management fees of 1.5% to 3% on the principal of loans made through these accounts. The Department of Commerce must set an annual cap on total management fees paid to each fund manager. These fees, paid from the account funds, cover administrative costs related to lending activities. The bill directly affects fund managers and the small, minority, and women-owned businesses accessing capital through these programs.

Bill results