Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 13: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act)

This bill expands Maryland's income tax deduction for retirement income by adding "9-1-1 specialists" to the list of eligible public safety employees. It modifies tax code sections to include retired 9-1-1 specialists - defined as employees handling emergency calls and dispatching services - in the $15,000 annual tax deduction for retirement income. The change directly affects retired 9-1-1 specialists who meet the age requirement (55+), allowing them to reduce their taxable income by up to $15,000. The policy takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for retired 9-1-1 specialists, providing tax relief to public safety retirees per tax code modification.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 328: Property Tax Credit - Disabled or Fallen Public Safety Officer or Judicial Officer - Alterations

SB 328 amends Maryland’s property tax credit for disabled or fallen public safety officers by expanding eligibility. It adds disabled officers who die regardless of cause (not just duty-related deaths) to the definition of "fallen public safety officer," and removes the requirement that a dwelling must have been acquired within 10 years of the disability or death. The bill also allows the tax credit amount for new dwellings to match the original credit for a previous dwelling, and authorizes local governments to set their own acquisition timelines or eligibility limits. This directly affects disabled officers, their surviving spouses, and cohabitants who own qualifying homes, as well as county/municipal tax administrators.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax credit eligibility for public safety officers, providing tax relief and increasing state tax expenditure on credits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 653: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Public Safety Retirement Income - Amount

HB 653 increases Maryland's tax deduction for retirement income earned by retired public safety employees, including correctional officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. It phases in a gradual increase in the deductible amount from $15,000 to $20,000 over five years, starting with $15,000 for 2025-2026 tax years and rising by $1,000 annually until reaching $20,000 by 2029-2030. This deduction reduces taxable income for eligible retirees aged 55+ who receive retirement income tied to their public safety service. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, as part of Maryland's income tax code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deduction for public safety retirees, providing targeted tax relief and reducing taxable income for eligible middle-income retirees per bill's phased deduction structure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 694: Income Tax - Addition Modification for Federal Tax-Exempt Income - Study

HB 694 modifies Maryland's income tax calculation by excluding certain foreign earned income from the state tax addition. Specifically, it removes the requirement to include income exempt from federal tax under IRS Section 911 (for overseas workers) when calculating Maryland adjusted gross income. This change directly affects Maryland residents who work abroad and qualify for the federal foreign earned income exclusion. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes federal tax-exempt foreign income from MD tax calculation, reducing tax burden for overseas workers per IRS Section 911.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 283: Creation of a State Debt – Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026, and the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loans of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025

SB 283 authorizes Maryland to borrow $1.824 billion through a new 2026 capital bond loan, updating previous bond programs from 2015-2025. The funds will finance state construction, renovations, equipment, and grants to local governments for infrastructure projects, requiring matching local funds and strict spending deadlines. It modifies prior bond law provisions to clarify eligible uses, extend project timelines, and adjust budget allocations for ongoing capital projects. This bill primarily affects state agencies, local governments receiving grants, and public infrastructure projects across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $1.824B bond loan to fund infrastructure projects, advancing capital budget allocations for state construction and local grants without tax increases.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $1.824B for infrastructure construction, renovations, and grants requiring matching local funds, directly funding transportation infrastructure projects per topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 26, 2026

HB 1059: State Department of Education - Asian American History - Accurate Instruction

HB 1059 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to evaluate specific Asian American history training programs from seven approved organizations (including the Smithsonian and Asian American Education Project) for inclusion in its teacher professional development program. It creates a grant program providing up to $2,000 per teacher to cover costs for these trainings and up to $1,000 annually per school library to purchase age-appropriate books and resources on Asian American and Pacific Islander history. The bill mandates annual state funding of $500,000 starting in fiscal year 2028 to support these grants. The bill directly affects Maryland public school educators and school libraries by expanding access to culturally specific professional development and learning materials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates grant program allocating state funds for teacher training and library resources, directly funding educational programs within budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates grants for teacher training and library resources on Asian American history, directly enhancing curriculum content and educator support in K-12 education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 989: State Assistance for the Elderly - Study on Calculation of Income

HB 989 modifies how income is calculated for elderly individuals seeking state assistance. It prohibits including rental income from a portion of an individual's primary residence (e.g., renting a room) when determining eligibility for state tax credits, housing assistance, or medical assistance programs. The Department of Aging must review all relevant programs to confirm applicability and notify administering agencies if the rule applies. This change directly affects elderly Marylanders who rely on state assistance programs with income-based eligibility requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes rental income from eligibility calculations for state assistance programs, expanding access to benefits without increasing taxes, directly supporting elderly fiscal assistance programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes rental income from income calculation for medical assistance eligibility, expanding access to healthcare for elderly residents.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes rental income from primary residence for housing assistance eligibility, increasing access to programs for elderly residents without reducing benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1224: Property Taxes - Special Rate for Vacant and Abandoned Property - Charter County Tax Limitation PG 408-26

HB 1224 allows charter counties in Maryland (like Prince George's County) to impose a higher property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties that exceed their usual tax rate limits under county charters. The bill authorizes counties to collect additional tax revenue from these properties and direct it into the county’s general fund, bypassing standard charter restrictions. Counties must annually report details including the number of affected properties, revenue changes, and whether properties are being prepared for reuse. This policy directly affects property owners of vacant lots or uninhabitable buildings cited for housing violations, aiming to generate revenue for county services without requiring charter amendments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows counties to collect higher taxes on vacant properties, increasing general fund revenue for local budgets and bypassing charter restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 844: Motor Vehicle Registration - Fee Exemption - Unemployable Disabled Veterans

HB 844 exempts unemployable disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities from Maryland's vehicle registration fees for one personally used vehicle. The bill amends Maryland's vehicle registration code to add a new exemption category (Section 13-903(a)(11)) specifically for veterans deemed unemployable due to a service-connected disability. This change directly affects qualifying veterans who own or lease a vehicle for personal use, removing a recurring cost. The exemption takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not apply to additional vehicles. The bill replaces the previous exemption for veterans with specific physical disabilities under Section 13-903(a)(8).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts disabled veterans from vehicle registration fees, providing tax relief for vulnerable group and reducing state revenue collection.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts unemployable disabled veterans from vehicle registration fees, removing financial burden and expanding benefits for qualifying veterans with service-connected disabilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 628: Human Services - Foster Care Transition Grant Program - Establishment

HB 628 establishes a program providing $1,000 monthly payments for three years to young adults who were in out-of-home care (like foster care) on their 18th birthday, with birthdays on or after October 1, 2026. Payments cannot be counted as income for Medicaid, the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit, or state/federal financial aid for education. The Department of Human Services must report annually on participants' income, location, employment, and housing status starting October 2027. The program will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, with automatic termination after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded program ($1,000/month for 3 years) for foster youth, increasing government spending on social services. Payments excluded from income for tax credits, supporting fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents basic income from affecting Medicaid eligibility, maintaining healthcare coverage access for foster youth transitioning to adulthood.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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