SB 960 requires Maryland's Interagency Commission on School Construction to distribute state funds directly to public charter schools for maintaining and operating their facilities, rather than through local governments. The bill mandates that starting in fiscal year 2028, the state budget must include funding equal to $1,600 multiplied by the prior year's total enrollment across all public charter schools. This applies to facilities owned or leased by charter schools, or those they occupy for educating students. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the Commission to establish regulations for implementation.
HB 577 prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, or transfer of "machine gun convertible pistols" in Maryland after a specified date. These are defined as semiautomatic pistols with a special trigger mechanism that can be easily converted to automatic fire using common tools or a "pistol converter" device. The bill creates new criminal penalties for violating this ban, with key exceptions allowing law enforcement use, licensed dealer transactions for specific purposes, and inheritance by qualified individuals. It does not affect standard semiautomatic firearms or restrict existing lawfully owned weapons.
SB 956 allows the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) to waive unpaid video tolls or associated penalties without first recalling the debt from the Central Collection Unit (CCU). It directly affects drivers who owe video tolls (charged when cameras capture license plates instead of transponders). The key provision requires the MDTA to notify the CCU if a waiver is granted, so the CCU can adjust fees under state law. This changes the collection process by giving the MDTA new flexibility to reduce debt without the prior step of pulling accounts from the CCU. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 74 requires state contracts for construction or security services exceeding $2 million over three years to include a clause allowing contract modifications when statutory changes increase required compensation or benefits (e.g., new minimum wage laws). This directly affects large contractors working with Maryland state agencies on these projects. The bill mandates that any modified contract must first receive approval from the Chief Procurement Officer. It aims to ensure fair adjustments for cost increases driven by state-mandated changes, without requiring contractors to absorb unexpected expenses. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 4, the "Keeping Charities Nonpartisan Act of 2026," requires charitable organizations recognized by the IRS for tax-deductible donations to remain nonpartisan. It prohibits these groups from participating in political campaigns for or against candidates for public office. The bill authorizes Maryland’s Secretary of State and Attorney General to jointly revoke a charity’s tax-exempt status if it violates this rule, and mandates that the Comptroller and State Department of Assessments and Taxation must revoke related state tax exemptions. This directly affects Maryland-based charities receiving federal tax-deductible donations, requiring them to avoid political activity to maintain their tax status.
HB 617 authorizes the City of Frederick to use noise monitoring systems to enforce existing motor vehicle noise limits. The bill allows Frederick to deploy up to three fixed or mobile systems that automatically capture images of vehicles exceeding noise thresholds (by at least 5 decibels), along with decibel readings and license plate details. Before use, the city must post locations online and install visible signage, and vehicle owners can request reviews of issued notices. This directly affects drivers whose vehicles exceed noise limits in Frederick, with enforcement handled through the city’s designated official. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle code to add these specific monitoring procedures for Frederick.
HB 687 (the PACE Act) protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents in Maryland from having their creative works (like music, poetry, visual art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. It blocks such evidence unless a court finds, by a preponderance of evidence, that the creator intended the work to be literal (not fictional), it directly references the specific facts of the alleged crime, and it's relevant to a disputed fact. The bill explicitly excludes this protection for juvenile cases where creative expression is used to evaluate mental health or diversion programs. This law directly affects artists facing criminal or juvenile charges in Maryland, changing how their original creative expression can be considered as evidence. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 669 prohibits political subdivisions (like counties or cities) from issuing use and occupancy permits to developers or contractors completing road work on State highways with over 25,000 average daily vehicles until the work is approved by both the State Highway Administration and the political subdivision. The bill amends Maryland law to require that all third-party road improvements on high-traffic state roads meet the satisfaction of both the State Highway Administration and the local political subdivision before permits are granted. Key mechanisms include requiring performance bonds for projects over $100,000, funded partly by private money, or located outside the applicant’s property. This directly affects developers and contractors performing road work on major state highways, ensuring completed improvements meet safety and quality standards before public use.
This bill establishes a new permit system allowing licensed alcohol retailers to sell cannabinoid beverages for off-premises consumption, such as take-home delivery. It authorizes Class 1 cannabinoid beverage wholesalers to deliver these products to alcohol retailers holding the new permit, which local licensing boards will issue under specific conditions. The legislation also adjusts tax rules by exempting certain cannabinoid beverage sales involving Class 1 wholesalers from sales and use taxes. Additionally, the bill defines cannabinoid beverages as single-serving products containing 5 milligrams or less of THC per serving and sets distribution restrictions similar to those for alcoholic beverages.
HB 1605 repeals a provision requiring counties to pay 50% of compensation costs for individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit. Currently, counties covered half the state's compensation payments under Maryland law; this bill shifts the full financial responsibility to the state. The change directly affects wrongly convicted individuals (who continue to receive full compensation) and county governments (which no longer bear 50% of the costs). The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter the compensation calculation or benefits provided to affected individuals.
HB 1592 updates funding for Maryland's regional resource centers and county public libraries by revising the per-resident funding formula for fiscal years 2022-2032. It increases annual funding rates from $8.75 per resident in 2022 to $11.58 by 2032, replacing previous fixed rates. The bill also simplifies library service requirements, mandating that each public library offer at least one program focused on early childhood literacy, digital equity, information literacy, or mental health support - replacing older, more specific program mandates. These changes directly affect all 23 Maryland county public library systems and their regional resource centers.
HB 1609 allows Frederick County volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance organizations to accept credit (e.g., credit cards) as payment for gaming events they host, such as raffles or bingo. It amends Maryland’s Criminal Law to remove the prior prohibition (in Section 12-108(b)) that barred these groups from accepting credit for gaming devices. The bill specifically targets organizations listed under Section 13-1304(b)(2) and (3) of the Maryland Code. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not change existing rules about using tokens instead of cash.
