HB 265 requires Maryland's State Board of Elections to designate a contact person for the Address Confidentiality Program, which helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, or human trafficking keep their real addresses private. The bill mandates that local election offices use participants' actual addresses for election purposes (like absentee ballots) but must not disclose these addresses publicly except for law enforcement requests or court orders. The designated contact person will handle all inquiries from election offices and participants about implementing the program's rules. This bill updates existing election law to clarify administrative procedures for the program, effective June 1, 2026.
SB 188 would increase the annual limit on toll-revenue bonds the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) can issue from $4 billion to $5 billion, effective July 1, 2026. This change directly affects the MTA, allowing it to finance new transportation projects or refinancing without legislative approval for existing bond-funded projects. The bill specifies that the $5 billion cap applies to the total outstanding principal of toll-revenue bonds as of June 30 each year, with adjustments for federal loans drawn under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. It does not alter how funds are used but expands the MTA's borrowing capacity for transportation infrastructure.
HB 254 creates a new Resilience Through Restoration Capital Grant Fund within Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to provide grants for nature-based projects that reduce climate vulnerabilities and strengthen community resilience. The fund supports state agencies, local governments, and nonprofits in planning, designing, and implementing projects like wetland restoration, green infrastructure, and shoreline protection. The bill requires the Department to develop community participation guidelines, a public website with planning tools, and training by October 2027, while mandating that funded projects incorporate community input and dedicate at least 3% of funds to adaptive management. All interest earnings from the fund must be reinvested, and grants must specifically address climate hazards like flooding and sea-level rise.
SB 125 repeals the requirement for private sellers to submit a notarized bill of sale when transferring ownership of used vehicles that are 7+ years old or sold below $500 of their retail value. This directly affects private individuals selling used cars, trailers, motor scooters, or off-highway vehicles without a dealer license. The bill removes the need for a notarized document to verify the sale price for tax calculation purposes, simplifying the transfer process. It does not change tax rates or other vehicle registration requirements, only eliminating this specific documentation step.
HB 251 repeals the requirement for a notarized bill of sale when transferring ownership of used vehicles in Maryland. It specifically removes Section 13-809(d)(2) of the Maryland Vehicle Law, which previously mandated this notarization for private sales where the purchase price was $500 or more below the national used car value. This change directly affects private sellers (non-dealers) selling used vehicles, simplifying the transfer process by eliminating the notarization step. The bill does not alter tax rates, fair market value calculations, or other existing requirements for vehicle transfers. The repeal takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 231 prohibits slaughtering or transporting racehorses for commercial purposes like human or animal consumption. It affects owners, buyers, sellers, and transporters who knowingly facilitate such slaughter. Violators face fines (up to $1,000 for individuals, $5,000 for repeat corporate offenses), with collected fines directed to a racing fund. The law explicitly allows humane euthanasia by licensed veterinarians for medical reasons, such as severe injury, but does not cover commercial slaughter.
SB 176 allows Maryland's Central Collection Unit and Child Support Administration to direct video lottery operators to withhold portions of winnings from individuals with outstanding restitution, child support, or other state debts. When a debtor wins a prize requiring a W-2G form, the operator must notify them of the debt, withhold the owed amount, and transfer it to the Central Collection Unit within 15 days. Debtors can appeal the withholding within that timeframe, with the Central Collection Unit reviewing appeals and deciding whether to return funds, retain them, or split the payment. The bill modifies existing law to prioritize these intercepts over other debt collections and applies to all video lottery facilities in the state.
HB 228 prohibits slaughtering racehorses for commercial purposes (including human or animal consumption) and bans purchasing, selling, transporting, or transferring racehorses when the person knows or should know they will be slaughtered. It directly affects horse owners, buyers, transporters, and businesses involved in the racing industry by restricting these activities. Key provisions include fines for violations (up to $5,000 for repeat corporate offenses), requiring fines to fund the Racing Special Fund, and allowing the State Racing Commission or Agriculture Department to revoke licenses for violations. The bill explicitly excludes humane euthanasia by licensed veterinarians for severe injury or pain, ensuring it does not interfere with veterinary care. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill requires video lottery operators to withhold portions of winnings when debtors owe restitution, child support, or other debts to the state. If a debtor wins a prize, the operator must notify them in writing within 15 days, explaining the withholding and their right to appeal the amount. Debtors can dispute the debt or amount during this 15-day window before the operator transfers the withheld funds to the Central Collection Unit. The law prioritizes child support claims over other debts for interception.
SB 123 revises the membership structure of Maryland's Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. The bill reduces the number of House committee representatives from two to one and adds three new assisted living industry representatives categorized by facility size (1-4 residents, 5-9 residents, and over 10 residents). It also expands consumer representation with three members living in or connected to care facilities and includes additional organizational representatives from health, aging, and advocacy groups. The committee will now feature a more detailed membership structure to better reflect diverse stakeholder perspectives. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 149 establishes new rules for permits allowing heavy trucks to transport international cargo in sealed containers through Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal corridor. It requires vehicles to weigh no more than 100,000 pounds, follow specific designated routes between the terminal and authorized destinations, travel only during permitted hours, and adhere to speed limits set by the Maryland Transportation Secretary. The bill directly affects trucking companies moving international freight by creating a formal "heavy weight port corridor" system with standardized weight, route, and timing requirements. The Secretary of Transportation will set permit fees, axle weight limits, and approved destinations through regulations, with the law taking effect June 1, 2026.
Maryland's SB 197 updates land use planning requirements for charter counties and local jurisdictions by adding eight mandatory elements to comprehensive and general plans, including new Resilience, Equity, Place, and Ecology elements. The bill requires counties to address specific subelements within each plan section, such as economic development strategies, community facilities, and historic resource protection, while mandating state agencies like the Department of Planning to provide data and guidelines. It replaces outdated sections with streamlined language, clarifies how counties can structure their plans (e.g., as individual chapters or grouped sections), and removes obsolete requirements like "mineral resources" and "water resources" elements. This bill directly affects local governments developing land use plans, ensuring they incorporate updated environmental, social, and economic priorities.
