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Maryland Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 26,430 Active 12,512 In committee 12,512 Passed 3,332 Signed 7,901 Failed 2,336

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 954: Electricity Generation and Storage - Investor-Owned Electric Companies and Front-of-the-Meter Storage (Affordable Energy Act)

SB 954, the "Affordable Energy Act," requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to mandate investor-owned electric companies to submit resource adequacy plans if the state faces insufficient power supply or a "price stability event" (when PJM capacity market prices exceed projected new generation costs). These plans must prioritize renewable energy investments and address shortages through new generation or storage projects. The bill also allows utilities to recover prudently incurred costs - including stranded investments - for constructing or operating generation facilities, with a minimum annual return tied to federal transmission rates. It directly affects Maryland's investor-owned electric utilities by shaping how they plan for reliability and recover infrastructure costs.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 905: Recipients of State and Local Government Funding - Reporting (Buy Maryland Reporting Requirements)

This bill requires recipients of Maryland state and local government funding to report annually to the Comptroller on how they use those funds, including details about any contractors or subcontractors they hire. Entities receiving payments for providing goods or services must also include this information on their income tax returns, such as the number of employees, work locations, and whether contractors are certified minority businesses. The Comptroller will then compile this data and submit a summary report to the General Assembly each year, showing the percentage of in-state versus out-of-state contractors, average employee counts, and the share of minority business enterprises. These reporting requirements apply to state, county, and municipal government units as well as individuals and corporations that receive public funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 923: Family Law - Equity Courts - Care and Custody of Children (Uniform Nondiscrimination in Treatment and Evidence (UNITE) Act)

HB 923 (the UNITE Act) requires Maryland equity courts to apply identical custody, guardianship, and evidence standards to immigrant children as to U.S. citizen children. It specifically mandates equal treatment in cases involving Special Immigrant Juvenile Status under federal law, ensuring immigrant children aren’t subjected to different procedures or evidentiary rules. The bill aims to prevent discriminatory practices or procedural disparities that could harm a child’s stability or access to legal protections. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects immigrant children navigating custody proceedings in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Immigration

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 942: Criminal Law - Interference of Custody Orders - Penalties

HB 942 prohibits knowingly and willfully interfering with a custody order by enticing or withholding a minor from their lawful custodian, a court-appointed guardian, or someone legally caring for the child (like a foster parent). It directly affects individuals who disrupt established custody arrangements, such as parents or relatives. The bill imposes tiered penalties: a written warning for a first offense (with specific details required), escalating civil fines up to $500 for second and third offenses, and misdemeanor charges with jail terms up to one year for fourth or subsequent violations. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 188: Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2026

HB 188 modernizes Maryland's unemployment insurance system by changing how weekly benefit amounts and employer contribution rates are calculated. It sets the maximum weekly benefit at 40% of the state's average weekly wage (starting in 2027) and bases employer contributions on 16% of the average wage. The Department of Labor must annually update and publish these wage figures online by January 31. This affects all unemployed workers receiving benefits and employers contributing to the unemployment fund.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 549: Maryland Public Ethics Law - Virtual Currency and Domestic Partners

HB 549 updates Maryland's Public Ethics Law to require officials and candidates for office to disclose holdings of virtual currency (like Bitcoin) on their financial disclosure forms. It also expands the definition of "spouse" to include "domestic partner" and "registered domestic partner" in ethics rules, meaning their financial interests are now treated the same as spouses under the law. These changes affect state officials, candidates, and their domestic partners by adding virtual currency to disclosure requirements and broadening family-related ethics provisions. The bill specifically amends sections of Maryland law to include these new definitions and disclosure obligations.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 433: Business Regulation - Collection Agencies - Licensure Exemption for Property Managers

HB 433 exempts property managers from needing a state license to collect rent, utilities, or fees from residential tenants under specific conditions. It directly affects property managers who collect these payments during lease terms and whose primary business is property management - not debt collection. The bill amends Maryland law to clarify that property managers collecting residential rent/utilities during leases are not considered "collection agencies" if this activity isn't their main business. This removes a licensing requirement for qualifying property managers without changing broader collection agency rules. The exemption takes effect October 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 496: Election Law - Unaffiliated Voters - Open Primary Elections

HB 496 would allow Maryland voters unaffiliated with any political party to choose either the "unaffiliated voters" primary ballot or any political party's primary ballot in a primary election. It specifically prevents these voters from automatically becoming affiliated with a party simply by voting in that party's primary. The bill amends election law to clarify this choice and ensures unaffiliated voters cannot cast more than one primary ballot. This directly affects unaffiliated voters in Maryland's primary elections, changing how they participate without altering their party registration status. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 219: Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Voter Intimidation and Suppression

HB 219, the Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2026, amends election law to prevent voter intimidation, deception, or obstruction that interferes with voting rights. It requires local election boards and governments to provide 15 days' public notice (via website) before discussing or adopting changes to voting procedures - such as polling locations or language assistance - and 48 hours for urgent changes. The bill prohibits local actions that create voting disparities for protected classes (defined as racial, ethnic, or language minority groups) and mandates that election changes must not impede eligible voters from registering or having ballots counted. It also allows the Attorney General to approve local remedies for violations and establishes a new "Voting Rights Act" section (15.3-101-501) to enforce these standards.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 509: Campaign Finance - Contributions by Gas and Electric Utility Companies - Prohibition

HB 509 prohibits gas and electric utility companies doing business in Maryland from making campaign contributions to candidates for nonfederal state offices. It bans both direct and indirect contributions to political campaigns or campaign finance entities supporting these candidates. The bill defines "utility company" as electric or gas companies under Maryland law and applies only to companies operating within the state. The prohibition takes effect June 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 52: Election Law - Incarcerated Individuals - Voter Hotline and Voting Eligibility (Voting Rights for All Act)

This bill would create a toll-free voter hotline for incarcerated individuals to access voting information, request election materials, and report voting rights violations. It would remove the current ban preventing people convicted of a felony and serving a prison sentence from registering to vote. The law would allow incarcerated individuals to register while imprisoned, changing eligibility rules that currently exclude them. The bill is pending and would take effect January 1, 2027, if passed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 454: Election Law - Voter Registration Eligibility - U.S. Citizenship Verification (SAVE Our Elections Act of 2026)

HB 454, the "SAVE Our Elections Act of 2026," requires Maryland to join the federal SAVE Program (Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement) to verify U.S. citizenship for voter registration applicants. It directly affects individuals applying to register to vote in Maryland, mandating that the State Board of Elections use the federal SAVE system to confirm citizenship during the registration process. Key provisions include requiring the State Administrator to enroll in SAVE, establishing a verification process for applicants, and creating an appeal mechanism for voters who dispute citizenship determinations. The bill replaces current self-declaration requirements with federal verification, amending election law sections governing voter registration eligibility and processing.

Topics ✗ Immigration