HB 499, the "Ballot Petition Modernization Act," modernizes Maryland's petition process by requiring the State Board of Elections to adopt regulations for secure voter data handling and electronic signatures. It establishes clear rules for collecting and verifying electronic signatures on petitions, including accessibility standards for voters with disabilities and requirements for circulators to confirm signature validity. The bill updates signature collection procedures, removes outdated prohibitions on electronic signatures, and specifies how voter data must be stored securely to prevent misuse. This directly affects petition circulators, candidates gathering signatures, and voters whose registration data is used in the process.
HB 350, the "Voting Rights Act of 2026," applies to local elections in Maryland counties and cities, protecting the voting rights of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups. It prohibits election methods that weaken the voting power of these groups, preventing them from electing preferred candidates or influencing election outcomes. Courts will determine violations by examining past election patterns and federal voting rights standards, rather than requiring proof of discriminatory intent. If a violation is found, courts can order remedies like changing election systems, but must respect existing statewide election practices.
This bill updates Maryland election laws to require voters presenting their names at the polls to prove their identity before receiving a regular ballot. To do this, voters must show a valid government-issued photo ID or, if they lack one, provide a non-government photo ID along with a document like a utility bill or bank statement that shows their name and address. If a voter cannot provide the required identification, the election judge must refer them to vote using a provisional ballot instead. The legislation also clarifies rules for assistance, allowing voters to bring written materials into the polling place and specifying who may help those with disabilities or language barriers.
HB 576 authorizes the Maryland State Archives to establish fees for record services through regulations, directly affecting the public, state agencies, and courts that access or request records. Key provisions include allowing the Archives to set fees as a percentage (capped at 2% of existing fees) or flat subscription rates for record preservation, requiring 7% of collected fees to fund an Archives Endowment Account, and setting a $3 fee for public copies of property plats. The bill also clarifies that courts may obtain land record copies for free with judicial approval while maintaining fee structures for other services like vital records and certified copies. These changes update existing fee authority in Maryland law without altering record access requirements.
HB 568 expands Maryland's public campaign financing program to include candidates for State Senate and House of Delegates, who were previously ineligible. The bill establishes specific qualifications (like residency and contribution limits) that candidates must meet to receive public funds from the Fair Campaign Financing Fund. It sets limits on the total public contributions these candidates can receive during elections and requires the State Board of Elections to distribute funds in a specified manner. The fund is financed through voluntary contributions, tax checkoffs, and campaign finance penalties, making it available to qualifying legislative candidates alongside existing gubernatorial candidates. This change directly affects candidates running for state legislative office by providing a new public financing option.
HB 565 (Fair Representation Act) changes how members of six Maryland county school boards are elected. It requires that specific seats on boards in Calvert, Cecil, Garrett, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, and St. Mary’s counties be elected by voters within their district using a plurality vote (most votes in that district), rather than countywide. For example, Montgomery County will elect five members from specific districts (each chosen by voters in that district) plus two at-large members. The rule applies to elections starting in 2028.
HB 584 proposes a constitutional amendment to strengthen voting rights and election integrity in Maryland. It guarantees equal voting access for all eligible voters (protecting against discrimination based on race, disability, or language status), bans foreign governments and foreign-influenced corporations from spending in Maryland elections, and requires full disclosure of major political donors. The bill also mandates the creation of a Maryland Voting Rights Act by 2028 and establishes a voluntary public financing program for General Assembly candidates starting in 2030. These changes directly affect all Maryland voters, candidates for state office, and political spenders by reshaping election rules and funding transparency.
HB 636 modifies Maryland's ethics rules to allow members of the General Assembly, candidates for the Assembly, and newly elected members to earn income from state or local government jobs under specific exemptions. It creates four categories of allowable income: educational instruction, merit-system positions, human services roles, or logical career transitions from prior employment. The Joint Ethics Committee must approve these exemptions, while certain existing relationships or post-term employment meeting education/licensure requirements remain excluded. This bill directly affects legislators' ability to hold outside public-sector jobs without violating current ethics prohibitions.
HB 689 changes the deadline for candidates running for U.S. Representative from Maryland in the 2026 election. It moves the filing deadline for a "certificate of candidacy" from the existing date to 9 p.m. on March 20, 2026, specifically altering the requirement in Maryland law. This directly affects all individuals seeking to run for Congress in Maryland's 2026 election cycle. The bill amends Section 5-303(a)(1) of Maryland's Election Law Article to implement this new deadline.
HB 728 creates an exception to standard state procurement rules for specific Maryland departments (including the Department of General Services, Housing and Community Development, Planning, and Transportation) when contracting with nonprofits for historic preservation, archaeology, or conservation projects. The bill requires these contracts to include three key provisions: transparent competitive procurement of subcontracted work, annual reports on project outcomes and spending, and efforts to maximize community engagement. This exception applies only to the listed departments and services, leaving most other state procurement processes unchanged. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 867 requires property owners to conspicuously post a notice against trespass or loitering on real property before filing a wrongful detainer lawsuit (used to evict unlawful occupants). Without this posted notice, the court cannot proceed with the case, directly affecting landlords and property owners who rely on this legal process for eviction. The bill amends Maryland law to add this posting requirement as a prerequisite for wrongful detainer actions, replacing previous provisions that allowed such lawsuits without notice. This change ensures clear notification to potential trespassers before legal action is taken.
HB 946 requires Maryland's Governor's Appointments Office to annually report demographic data about judicial applicants and nominees. The bill mandates that by December 1 each year, the Office must publish a report showing the number of applicants, recommended candidates, and gubernatorial nominees for judicial positions - broken down by ethnicity, gender identity, disability status, veteran status, and sexual orientation. This applies specifically to those seeking appointment to judicial offices through the Governor's process. The report must be submitted to the General Assembly and made publicly available, starting in 2027.
