Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HJ 5: Governor's Salary Commission - Salary Recommendations for Governor and Lieutenant Governor

This House Joint Resolution (HJ 5) sets the annual salaries for Maryland's Governor and Lieutenant Governor for their 2027-2031 term, as required by the Maryland Constitution. It establishes a four-year salary schedule: the Governor's salary starts at $195,000 (first year) and increases to $210,000 (fourth year), while the Lieutenant Governor's starts at $175,000 and rises to $185,000. The resolution must be approved by the General Assembly within 50 days; if not, the Governor's Salary Commission's recommended amounts automatically take effect on January 20, 2027. The bill directly affects the Governor and Lieutenant Governor by defining their compensation under constitutional requirements.

signed · Maryland · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SJ 1: Governor's Salary Commission - Salary Recommendations for Governor and Lieutenant Governor

This Senate Joint Resolution (SJ 1) adopts the salary recommendations proposed by Maryland's Governor's Salary Commission for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's 2027-2031 term. It sets specific annual salaries: the Governor's salary increases from $195,000 to $210,000 over four years, and the Lieutenant Governor's from $175,000 to $185,000. The resolution becomes effective January 20, 2027, following the Commission's evaluation of cost of living, comparisons to other state officials, and salaries of governors in other states. The bill directly affects only the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, formalizing their compensation without altering the Commission's structure or process.

signed · Maryland · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 17: Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - Related Event Promoter's Permit

SB 17 creates a new permit system for events related to the CIAA Basketball Tournament in Baltimore City. It requires promoters of such events to apply for a "related event promoter’s permit" from Baltimore’s Board of License Commissioners at least 30 days in advance, along with written consent from Visit Baltimore and a special event permit if needed. Caterers with state licenses must also obtain a temporary Class C event license to serve alcohol at these events. The law imposes fees ($50 application, $500-$1,000 permit) and fines ($1,000-$3,000) for operating without the required permits, affecting event promoters, caterers, and venues hosting CIAA-related gatherings. The permit is valid only for events coordinated with the CIAA tournament and expires June 30, 2029.

signed · Maryland · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 245: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition

Maryland's SB 245 prohibits state, local governments, county sheriffs, and their agencies from entering new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It defines such agreements as contracts under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. Existing agreements must be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the bill's effective date of June 1, 2026. The law directly affects all Maryland local law enforcement entities and state agencies that previously collaborated with federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 444: Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition

HB 444 prohibits Maryland state and local governments, including county sheriffs and agencies, from entering into new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It requires existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the law’s effective date (June 1, 2026). The bill specifically targets contracts, memorandums, or agreements that allow local entities to assist in federal immigration enforcement under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies and government bodies that previously collaborated with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to prevent state/local resources from being used for immigration enforcement under federal programs.

Topics ✓ Immigration

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 25, 2025

HB 49: Environment - Building Energy Performance Standards - Alterations and Analysis

HB 49 establishes new energy efficiency requirements for major building alterations in Maryland. It directly affects building owners and developers who undertake significant renovations or modifications to existing structures. The bill mandates that these alterations must meet specific energy performance standards, requiring owners to conduct energy analyses and implement upgrades to improve efficiency. This law, now enacted under Maryland's constitution, creates a concrete policy change for commercial and residential building projects requiring substantial work.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 25, 2025

SB 705: Department of Information Technology - Major Information Technology Development Projects - Oversight

SB 705 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to establish specific oversight procedures for major information technology development projects. This law directly affects the Department of Information Technology and state agencies implementing large-scale IT systems. The key provision mandates the department to create and follow defined processes for monitoring project scope, budget, and timelines. The bill became law on May 25, 2025, under Maryland's Constitution.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 25, 2025

HB 738: Department of Information Technology - Major Information Technology Development Projects - Oversight

HB 738 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to establish an oversight process for major information technology development projects. It directly affects state agencies planning significant IT investments, mandating that they undergo formal review before proceeding with major spending decisions. The key provision creates a structured framework for evaluating project scope, budget, and risks prior to approval. This law, enacted on May 25, 2025, ensures greater accountability for large-scale state IT initiatives.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 25, 2025

HB 1294: Commercial Law - Credit Regulation - Earned Wage Access and Credit Modernization

HB 1294 modernizes Maryland's credit regulation framework by establishing specific rules for "earned wage access" programs, which allow workers to receive portions of their earned wages before the regular payday. The bill directly affects businesses offering these programs and the workers who use them, creating clear standards for how such services operate within the state's commercial law. Key provisions require earned wage access providers to follow transparent fee structures and disclose terms to users, aligning with broader credit regulation updates. This legislation was enacted in Maryland on May 25, 2025, under the state constitution.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 351: Creation of a State Debt - Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2025, and the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loans of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024

House Bill 351 authorizes the State of Maryland to create a debt of over $1.7 billion for the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2025. The proceeds from these bonds will finance state building projects, construction, and real estate acquisitions, and provide grants to local subdivisions and other organizations for development and improvement purposes. Repayment of this debt will be supported by a tax on all assessable property in the State. The bill also includes provisions for matching funds for grants, requires historical easements in some cases, and makes adjustments to previously authorized capital bond loans from 2011 to 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 352: Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025

HB 352, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025, makes broad adjustments to Maryland's state and local government finances. The bill increases various taxes, including the mobile sports wagering tax, vehicle excise tax, and state individual income tax rates, and expands the sales and use tax to include new services and products. It also alters or repeals numerous appropriations and programs, such as reducing film and higher education tax credits and ending the Low Intensity Support Services Program. Additionally, the bill shifts certain financial responsibilities to county governments, including portions of retirement costs for local employees and compensation for erroneously convicted individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 500: Procurement Reform Act of 2025

HB 500, the Procurement Reform Act of 2025, streamlines Maryland state government purchasing by transferring key authority from the Secretary of General Services to the Chief Procurement Officer. It adjusts dollar thresholds requiring public notice or reporting for procurements, modifies small business preference programs (including expanding eligibility for small business reserves), and adds new requirements for contractors to submit workforce diversity plans for contracts over $500,000. The bill also creates a procurement preference for businesses certified for "good labor practices" and mandates that certain agencies establish working groups to address procurement issues. These changes directly affect state agencies, contractors (especially small businesses), and the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, which gains oversight of new workforce diversity rules.

Bill results