Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 860: Department of Aging – Aging Resilience Fund – Establishment

SB 860 establishes the Aging Resilience Fund, a dedicated, nonlapsing fund administered by Maryland's Department of Aging. The fund is designed to support the department's mission by covering administrative costs like personnel, partnership development, and senior-focused programs. Interest earnings from the fund must be reinvested into the fund itself, and money can only be spent following state budget rules. This bill directly affects the Department of Aging's operations and senior services programs in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes dedicated fund for Department of Aging operations, funding senior services per state budget rules, aligning with funding essential programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 478: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers - Alteration

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands income tax deduction for teachers, providing tax relief to prekindergarten educators without increasing government spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax deduction for preK teachers' classroom supplies, supporting educator financial relief and expanding access to teacher expense benefits.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax deduction for prekindergarten teachers' classroom supplies, providing financial support for work-related expenses under employment benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 343: Housing Development Projects - Housing Counseling Services

HB 343 requires housing development projects receiving state funding to offer HUD-certified housing counseling services to prospective residents. It mandates that these services must be provided by counselors employed by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The bill also requires the Governor to appropriate $200,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2028 for community development organizations to partner with approved housing counseling agencies. This directly affects developers receiving state housing funds and prospective residents of subsidized housing projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates $200,000 annual appropriation for housing counseling services, directly funding a public program under budget authority.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates HUD-certified counseling for funded housing projects and allocates $200K annually for counseling services, directly advancing tenant access to housing resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 43: Financial Institutions - Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund and Regulation of Entities - Revisions

SB 43 repeals a $25 fee charged to banking institutions for certificate of valid charter requests and extends the deadline for the Commissioner to match investments in the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund from 2028 to 2030. The bill revises the Fund’s purpose to focus on developing financial products and services for low-to-moderate-income communities through investments, grants, and innovation testing. It also updates assessment credit rules for banking institutions and credit unions, alters the definition of "emergency" for banking closures, and clarifies the Fund’s status as a nonlapsing state fund. These changes directly affect Maryland banking institutions, credit unions, and residents in low-to-moderate-income areas seeking improved financial services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises Maryland Community Investment Fund purpose to develop financial products for low-income communities through government-funded investments and grants, advancing fiscal support for underserved populations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 259: Financial Institutions - Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund and Regulation of Entities - Revisions

HB 259 revises Maryland's financial regulations by repealing certain fees charged to banking institutions and credit unions, such as the $25 fee for charter certificate requests. It updates the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund to extend the deadline for the Commissioner to match institutional investments from 2028 to 2030 and clarifies the Fund’s purpose: to help banks and credit unions develop financial products and services for low- to moderate-income communities. The bill also redesignates the Fund as a nonlapsing special fund (not part of the General Fund) and specifies that investment returns must credit the Banking Institution and Credit Union Regulation Fund. These changes directly affect banking institutions, credit unions, and the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals fees on financial institutions and extends Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund deadline to fund low-income financial products, advancing fiscal management and community investment.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 440: Income Tax - Theatrical Production Tax Credit - Alterations and Sunset Extension

SB 440 extends the expiration date of Maryland's theatrical production tax credit from 2027 to 2032. This credit allows theater producers to claim a refundable tax credit against state income tax for qualifying production costs within the state. The bill amends existing law (Chapter 258 and 259 of the 2022 Acts) to change the sunset date from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2032, without requiring further legislative action. It directly affects theater companies and productions that meet the credit's eligibility criteria in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends refundable tax credit for theater producers, providing tax relief and maintaining fiscal support for arts industry without increasing state revenue impact.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 961: Income Tax Credit - Venison Donation - Alterations

SB 961 modifies Maryland's tax credit for hunters donating processed deer meat. It removes the previous $300 annual limit on the credit, allowing hunters to claim the full credit for eligible expenses without the cap. The bill maintains a $75 per deer processing expense limit and requires donations to go to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations. Hunters must still comply with hunting laws, and donation programs must report donor information to the Comptroller annually. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $300 annual cap on venison donation tax credit, expanding tax relief for hunters. Directly strengthens tax credit provisions per Budget & Taxes indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1254: Education - Public Schools - Service Contracts

HB 1254 requires county school boards to justify service contracts (outsourcing school services) by submitting detailed cost comparisons showing at least 20% savings over using school employees, along with plans to assist affected staff. It mandates that boards demonstrate they considered alternatives like reorganizing services before contracting. The bill also directs the State Department of Education to develop a paid, in-person professional development system for paraeducators and support staff by July 2027, including training on collaboration, student safety, crisis prevention, and job skills. This new system must be provided during school hours and will directly affect all paraeducators and support professionals in Maryland public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 20% cost savings justification for outsourcing, promoting fiscal responsibility in school budget management per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates paid professional development for paraeducators and requires cost justification for outsourcing to protect staff, strengthening educator support and school operations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires cost justification and staff assistance for outsourcing, mandates professional development for support staff, protecting workers from abrupt job loss and enhancing employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 980: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Alterations

SB 980 modifies Maryland's property tax credit for disabled veterans and surviving spouses by adjusting the required disability rating thresholds. It lowers the minimum rating for the 50% credit from 75% to 70% and for the 25% credit from 74% to 69%, expanding eligibility without changing existing income limits ($100,000 for single filers, $200,000 for joint filers). The bill applies to veterans or surviving spouses owning a dwelling house who meet the revised disability criteria. This change takes effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax credit eligibility for disabled veterans, providing tax relief to middle-income recipients without increasing state spending.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransLowers disability rating thresholds to expand property tax credit eligibility for disabled veterans and surviving spouses, directly advancing benefits without reducing existing protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1297: Income Tax - Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit - Alterations

HB 1297 modifies Maryland's student loan debt relief tax credit by changing how unused credit amounts are recaptured. It requires taxpayers to repay only the unused portion of the credit (not the full amount) if they don't use it for student loan repayment within 3 years. The bill also authorizes the Maryland Higher Education Commission to grant extensions of this 3-year period for taxpayers unable to repay due to specific federal delays, such as litigation over the SAVE repayment plan, Department of Education understaffing, or waiting for public service loan forgiveness. This directly affects Maryland residents with qualifying student loan debt who claim the tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies tax credit to reduce repayment burden on unused portions, providing targeted tax relief for student loan borrowers92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies student loan tax credit to reduce recapture burden and allow extensions, supporting higher education affordability and access for borrowers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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