HB 1081 creates a new Board of Directors for Baltimore Core Transit Service (encompassing local buses, light rail, Metro Subway, and paratransit in Baltimore) within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). The Board, composed of 9 voting members (including 5 governor-appointed members with specific rider, accessibility, and labor representation requirements, plus city/county appointees), must approve major service plans and policies for Baltimore transit. The bill repeals the existing Baltimore Regional Transit Commission, proposes a constitutional amendment to allow MTA to use land acquisition powers for projects, and exempts MTA capital construction from certain state procurement rules. It directly affects MTA operations in Baltimore and establishes new governance structures for regional transit services.
SB 947 establishes a new Board of Directors to govern Baltimore Core Transit Service (including local buses, light rail, subway, and paratransit) within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). It replaces the existing Baltimore Regional Transit Commission with this board, which includes five governor-appointed members (requiring representation from riders, accessibility users, transit providers, and union employees), plus mayoral and county executive appointees. The board will approve major service plans and policies for Baltimore transit operations, while the MTA must contract with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council to study creating a dedicated rail authority. This reform directly affects Baltimore-area transit users, MTA operations, and local government oversight of regional transit services.
HB 1355, the Maryland Stablecoin Act, creates a new regulatory framework for entities providing payment stablecoin services in Maryland. It directly affects nondepository trust companies (financial institutions not covered by FDIC insurance) that wish to offer stablecoin-related services, such as issuing or facilitating transactions with stablecoins (digital currencies pegged to assets like the US dollar). The bill establishes licensing requirements, capital stock rules, and disclosure obligations for these providers under the Commissioner of Financial Regulation, while exempting certain existing nondepository trust companies from unrelated regulations. It adds new sections (14-101 through 14-603) to Maryland’s Financial Institutions code to define terms like "permitted payment stablecoin issuer" and "state issuer," and modifies existing fee structures for new bank charters. The law aims to provide legal clarity and oversight for this emerging financial service within the state.
Maryland's SB 662 (Maryland Stablecoin Act) establishes a new regulatory framework for financial institutions providing stablecoin services, directly affecting nondepository trust companies authorized to operate in the state. The bill creates specific licensing categories - “Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuers” and “Payment Stablecoin Services Institutions” - requiring these entities to include certain disclosures in their articles of incorporation and follow new capital stock rules. It modifies existing fee structures for bank charters and exempts qualifying nondepository trust companies from some standard financial regulations while authorizing the Commissioner of Financial Regulation to adjust capital requirements under certain circumstances. The law defines key terms like “payment stablecoin services” and sets up a clear path for these institutions to legally operate within Maryland’s financial system.
HB 1049 amends Maryland law to change the voting requirements for credit union mergers. It removes the need for a majority vote of members in the surviving credit union to approve a merger, allowing instead a majority of the board to proceed with approval (subject to Commissioner oversight). This directly affects credit unions planning to merge, particularly smaller institutions where gathering member votes can be difficult. The bill modifies Sections 6-803(d) and (f) of Maryland’s Financial Institutions Article to streamline the merger process by shifting approval authority from members to the board. The change takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 783 changes Maryland law to allow the board of a surviving credit union (the credit union continuing after a merger) to approve a merger without needing a majority vote from its members, provided the Commissioner of Financial Regulation approves. This directly affects Maryland credit unions planning to merge or consolidate, as it removes the requirement for member approval at the surviving credit union. The key mechanism allows a majority of the surviving credit union's board to adopt a resolution declaring a merger advisable and set a vote date, with the Commissioner able to waive member votes or substitute approval methods. The bill modifies existing law (Section 6-803) to reflect this change, while still requiring member approval for merging credit unions. The change takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 818 amends Maryland law to establish new requirements for developing the 28-acre State Center property in Baltimore City. It requires all new or modified development contracts to include an enforceable community benefits agreement with the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, a local hiring plan with job goals, and an economic improvement plan prioritizing minority- and women-owned businesses. The bill also creates a State Center Advisory Group composed of neighborhood associations, anchor institutions, and community organizations within a 1-mile radius to provide community input, leverage neighborhood benefits, and ensure transparency. This directly affects the developer of the State Center project and surrounding Baltimore neighborhoods.
SB 625 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to adopt regulations by January 1, 2028, for permitting carbon removal technologies and practices certified by an internationally recognized third party. It also mandates that all state agencies use available funding to support carbon removal projects using these certified technologies. The bill directly affects the Department of the Environment (which must create the regulations) and state agencies (which must redirect funding toward qualifying projects). This legislation establishes a framework for integrating carbon removal into state environmental and funding policies.
SB 775 requires federal firearms licensees and law enforcement agencies operating gun buyback programs to permanently destroy all surrendered firearms (including all parts and components) after verifying they are not stolen, lost, or crime-related. It prohibits operating such programs without meeting these requirements and imposes fines up to $10,000 per violation, with license revocation for dealers who fail to comply. The bill directly affects program operators (licensees and agencies) and adds new rules under Maryland’s "Subtitle 9: Gun Buyback Programs" in the Annotated Code. It does not change existing firearm purchase or transfer laws but mandates destruction as a core program requirement. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1063 modifies Maryland's hunting regulations to allow the Department of Natural Resources to authorize deer population reductions on properties with documented deer damage (such as crop destruction or forest harm) through permits permitting Sunday deer hunting, while restricting it within 25 yards of designated equestrian trails. It repeals the ban on Sunday hunting for migratory game birds and allows the Department to establish county-specific Sunday hunting rules during game bird and mammal seasons, with most counties now permitting limited Sunday hunting (typically from 30 minutes before sunrise until 10:30 a.m.). The bill directly affects property owners with deer damage on 10+ acre properties, hunters in counties like Calvert, Caroline, and Worcester, and the Department of Natural Resources, which gains new authority to set hunting rules. Key provisions include standardized time limits for Sunday hunting and eliminating outdated prohibitions, focusing on practical management of wildlife impacts.
SB 538 modifies Baltimore City's raffle laws to allow organizations affiliated with both Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Football League (NFL) teams based in Baltimore to conduct raffles. Specifically, it removes a sunset date for MLB-affiliated organizations and explicitly adds NFL-affiliated organizations to the list of eligible groups. The bill requires these organizations to operate within Baltimore City and spend most funds locally on charitable, civic, or youth athletic purposes. This change expands existing raffle authorization under Maryland law without altering permit requirements or prize limits.
SB 859 sets new qualifications and reporting requirements for chief financial officers (CFOs) in Maryland state agencies receiving at least $2 billion annually in state and federal funding. It requires these CFOs to hold specific credentials - such as a CPA with 5 years of fiscal management experience, a relevant master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or 10 years of total experience - and mandates they submit detailed financial data to the Comptroller’s Office by year-end. The bill also allows the Secretary of Budget to grant pay plan exemptions to help recruit and retain qualified CFOs. These changes apply only to large executive branch units, not all state employees.
