HB 1207 amends Maryland’s State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund to specifically require the Governor to include a $500,000 mandatory appropriation in the 2028 and 2029 state budgets for protecting and restoring Deep Creek Lake. The bill expands the fund’s authorized uses to include sediment removal, treating contaminated sediment, preventing invasive species spread, and improving ecological/recreational value of state-owned or state-managed lakes. It ensures funds remain available year-to-year (nonlapsing) and clarifies that expenditures supplement, not replace, existing lake protection funding. The requirement expires on June 30, 2029, without further legislative action.
HB 1495 changes Maryland's vehicle registration plate requirements by requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to issue only one registration plate for all vehicle classes, replacing the previous rule that required two plates for most vehicles. It specifically prohibits owners of historic vehicle plates (Class L) from violating their plate's issuance terms. The bill also adds a new option allowing vehicle owners to display a county sticker on their plate (showing their residence county), with specific rules about placement, fees, and restrictions on special plates. This affects all Maryland vehicle owners who register their vehicles, directly changing plate issuance and optional county display rules.
HB 1275 requires Maryland public school districts to establish an appeal process for students deemed academically ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics. The bill mandates schools provide written notice of the ineligibility decision and appeal steps, including a hearing, and creates a 10-day provisional eligibility period during which students may continue participating in sports. If a school upholds the ineligibility after the appeal, the student becomes ineligible the next school day. This directly affects public high school students in Maryland who face academic eligibility decisions for sports participation.
HB 1546 modifies Baltimore County's homestead property tax credit to provide a 100% credit rate for homeowners aged 65 or older, instead of the standard 110% rate applied elsewhere in Maryland. This change directly affects Baltimore County residents who are 65+ and submit applications for the tax credit, requiring them to check a box confirming their age in the application process. The bill updates the calculation method under Maryland law to set this specific 100% rate for eligible seniors in Baltimore County for State, county, and municipal property taxes. The policy takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
HB 1270 updates notice requirements for alcoholic beverage license applications in Prince George’s County. It replaces the previous requirement to publish notices in local newspapers with new digital methods: posting on the Board’s website, social media, and via email at least 30 days before application deadlines. The bill also adds a requirement to display physical notices at the business location for 10 days before hearings. These changes directly affect businesses applying for alcohol licenses in Prince George’s County, streamlining public notice processes under Maryland’s Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis code (specifically amending Sections 26-1511(c)(2) and 26-1512(a)). The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 814 requires state contractors who plan to use subcontractors to submit copies of their subcontractor agreements to the procurement officer before a contract is awarded. This applies to any procurement where a recommended awardee has executed a subcontractor agreement, regardless of whether the main contract requires subcontracting. Contractors may redact confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information from these submissions, and the state Board must create regulations to implement the law. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting state contractors who use subcontractors in procurement processes.
HB 1478 amends Maryland law to require contractors working on state projects to pay subcontractors and suppliers at least 95% of any undisputed amount owed within 10 days of receiving payment from the state. This directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers involved in state procurement contracts by establishing a clear payment timeline and reducing delays. The bill specifies that "undisputed amount" includes retainage and excludes disputed sums, and requires contractors to provide written notice to subcontractors/suppliers and the procurement officer if payment is withheld. It replaces the previous 80% payment requirement with the new 95% standard, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 1307 requires employers receiving $250,000 or more in state public funds under a single contract to agree they will not engage in unfair labor practices defined under federal law (29 U.S.C. §158) and acknowledge that violations may result in the state recapturing those funds. It directly affects large state contractors by linking funding eligibility to compliance with federal labor protections under the National Labor Relations Act. The bill authorizes the state to recapture funds for up to two years after disbursement if violations occur, and allows employees to file complaints with the Attorney General, who must investigate and may sue for damages including full fund recovery. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1161, the BPW Climate Transparency Act, requires Maryland state agencies to provide specific climate and sustainability details when submitting certain contracts (like construction, energy performance, and public-private partnerships) to the Board of Public Works for approval. Agencies must explain how these contracts support greenhouse gas reduction, climate resilience, sustainable practices, and compliance with green building standards. The Department of General Services will issue guidance to help agencies meet these requirements, and the information must be included on the Board's agenda for review. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 1183 creates a new "Manufacturer's Limited Beer, Wine, and Liquor Permit" specifically for Baltimore County. It allows manufacturers holding certain licenses (like Class 5 brewery licenses) to host private events where they may serve sealed beer, wine, or liquor products from other manufacturers - provided they partner with a licensed caterer or contracted party, avoid affiliations with that party, and get prior approval from the county Board of License Commissioners. The permit prohibits allowing public visitors to access private event areas during events and requires the Board to set annual fees and event approval criteria. This bill directly affects Baltimore County beverage manufacturers seeking to expand private event offerings under new county-specific rules, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 1515 prohibits noncompete and conflict of interest clauses in employment contracts for certain healthcare workers if their employer relocates most operations outside Maryland after the employee leaves. It specifically applies to:
- Employees earning ≤ $350,000 annually in licensed, direct patient care roles (or veterinary professionals),
- *or* employees of employers who previously had >30 in-state employees but later move most operations out of state.
For higher-earning healthcare workers ($350,000+), the bill limits noncompete terms to 1 year and a 10-mile geographic radius. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not apply to client/patient list restrictions.
HB 1524 requires employers with 15 or more employees in Maryland to provide parent employees with 20 hours of paid leave annually to attend school functions for their child enrolled in public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school. This includes events like parent-teacher conferences or school performances, with employees needing to submit proof within 48 hours after the event. Employers must pay at the employee’s regular rate and cannot force parents to use existing sick or vacation leave instead. The law applies to all qualifying employers, including government entities, and takes effect October 1, 2026.
