HB 413 modifies Maryland's Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission by reducing its legislative membership from two to one member each from the Senate and House of Delegates, while extending the commission's operational lifespan from 2026 to 2028. The bill alters the commission's structure to require one Senate appointee (with Irish affairs expertise) and one House appointee (with similar expertise), alongside existing members including the Secretary of State, higher education representatives, business leaders, and Irish-American community members. The commission must continue studying Maryland-Ireland trade promotion, report findings annually to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, and remain active until September 30, 2028. This change directly affects the commission's composition and duration without altering its core purpose of advancing bilateral trade and investment.
SB 119 extends the termination date for Maryland's State Board of Environmental Health Specialists from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2032, under the state's sunset law. This bill directly affects the board itself and the environmental health professionals regulated by its oversight. The key provision revises Section 21-502 of Maryland's Health Occupations code to delay the board's automatic termination by five years. It does not change the board's duties or regulatory authority, only postpones its sunset date. The bill maintains the existing structure without new substantive policy changes.
HB 274 extends the operational lifespan of Maryland's State Board of Environmental Health Specialists by delaying its automatic termination date. The bill changes the sunset date from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2032, under Maryland's sunset law (Program Evaluation Act). This extension directly affects the Board, which oversees environmental health professionals and regulations within the Department of Health. The key provision modifies Section 21-502 of Maryland's Health Occupations law to maintain the Board's statutory authority until 2032. The bill does not alter the Board's duties or create new regulations, only postponing its termination date.
SB 344 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to receive Public Service Commission approval, allowing land used by these systems to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment. Specifically, it changes the requirement from approval "on or before December 31, 2025" to "on or before December 31, 2030" for systems placed in service after June 30, 2022. This directly affects community solar developers and landowners seeking agricultural tax treatment for solar installations. The bill amends Maryland's property tax code to maintain eligibility for agricultural assessment without altering the core criteria for qualifying land use. The change takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
HB 478 modifies Maryland's income tax by expanding the existing $250 deduction for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses to include prekindergarten teachers. Previously, only K-12 classroom teachers qualified; this bill explicitly adds prekindergarten teachers employed full-time in state programs. The deduction remains limited to $250 per year for supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, excluding expenses already deducted federally. This change affects prekindergarten teachers statewide who purchase classroom supplies without reimbursement, effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.
SB 139 amends Maryland law to strengthen oversight of third-party administrators (TPAs) who manage insurance claims for employers or insurers. It expands grounds for the Insurance Commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke a TPA’s registration (including violations of insurance laws or regulations) and updates civil penalty rules. The bill sets a maximum $10,000 penalty per violation for TPA misconduct, with daily penalties up to $1,000 for ongoing violations. Penalties are determined based on factors like violation severity, the TPA’s history, and harm to policyholders, ensuring enforcement considers context and impact.
HB 277 strengthens oversight of third-party administrators (TPAs) in Maryland’s insurance industry. It expands grounds for the Insurance Commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke a TPA’s registration - including violations of insurance laws - and increases civil penalties for violations from $1,000 per day to a maximum of $10,000 per violation. The bill also requires the Commissioner to consider factors like the seriousness of the violation, the TPA’s history, and harm to plan participants when setting penalties. This directly affects TPAs managing insurance claims and benefits, imposing stricter accountability for compliance with Maryland’s insurance regulations, effective October 1, 2026.
SB 134 requires Maryland insurance carriers to issue Medicare supplement policies (Medigap) to specific eligible individuals without denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on health status. It directly affects: (1) people transitioning from Maryland Medicaid to Medicare Part B, (2) individuals who became Medicare-eligible before January 2020, and (3) disabled people under 65 who qualify for Medicare. Key provisions mandate that carriers must sell these policies during defined 63-day enrollment periods following Medicaid disenrollment or qualifying events, and prohibit health-based pricing or denial for plans A and D. The law also requires carriers to offer comparable or lower-benefit plans during birthday renewals starting July 2026.
HB 275 requires Maryland insurance carriers to issue Medicare supplement policies without discrimination based on health status during specific enrollment periods. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries transitioning from Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid), disabled individuals under 65 eligible for Medicare, and those with certain federal special enrollment rights. Key provisions include banning denials or higher premiums due to health conditions during a 63-day window after Medicaid termination or qualifying events, and mandating equal or lower-benefit policy options during birthday renewals starting in 2026. The bill ensures these groups can access coverage without health-based barriers, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 20 creates a new "related event promoter's permit" in Baltimore City for events where alcohol is sold or provided through coordinated promotions between license holders and third parties (like concerts, tournaments, or happy hours). It requires promoters and participating license holders (such as caterers) to apply for this permit 30 days in advance, pay a $50 application fee, and a $500-$1,000 permit fee based on venue capacity. Operating without the permit carries fines of $1,000-$3,000 or license suspension for promoters and caterers. The bill directly affects event organizers, caterers, and the Board of License Commissioners, establishing clear rules for alcohol sales at temporary public events.
HB 301 amends Maryland’s Annotated Code (Section 13-702) to clarify command authority for Maryland National Guard and Maryland Defense Force personnel during state active duty. It specifies that these personnel operate under the Adjutant General’s command (or their designated officer), regardless of whether the Adjutant General is in state or federal status. This change ensures clear operational control during mobilizations for crises like disasters or civil unrest. The bill directly affects military personnel activated by the Governor under state law, streamlining coordination with local law enforcement during deployments.
SB 205 codifies federal mental health parity requirements into Maryland law, requiring health insurance carriers to comply with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity Act. It mandates carriers to collect and report data on access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits, explain differences in care access, and undergo comparative analyses of nonquantitative treatment limitations. The Maryland Insurance Commissioner gains authority to review carrier reports and address noncompliance. This bill directly affects all health insurance carriers operating in Maryland, ensuring their coverage aligns with federal parity standards for mental health and substance use disorder benefits. It clarifies enforcement mechanisms without creating new benefit requirements.
