Budget & Taxes

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 both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 389: Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development - Alterations (Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act)

SB 389, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates transit-oriented development (TOD) areas near rail stations with hourly weekday service (8 a.m.-6 p.m.) as enterprise zones - bypassing normal limits on such designations. It requires Maryland’s development corporation to prioritize loans for projects redeveloping state-owned land near rail stations and delays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects. The bill also adds project labor agreements as a scoring factor for TOD funding and adjusts local land-use regulations to support transit-focused development. Directly affecting developers, local governments, and communities near transit hubs, it aims to accelerate housing and infrastructure near rail corridors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDelays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects, providing tax incentive to promote transit-oriented development90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDesignates TOD areas as enterprise zones, prioritizes loans for state land redevelopment, and delays fees for residential projects - all advancing housing development near transit.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires project labor agreements for transit development projects, ensuring fair wages and union standards in construction labor.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDesignates TOD areas near rail stations, prioritizes transit-oriented projects, delays fees for housing near transit - directly advancing public transit infrastructure and sustainable transportation access.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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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 813: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

HB 813 authorizes Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications, starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to notify Medicaid recipients if it chooses to provide this coverage and mandates a report to the legislature by November 1, 2027, on implementation progress. This directly affects Medicaid recipients with obesity by expanding covered treatments beyond current scope. The program may use standard utilization management processes (like for other conditions) to assess medical necessity but is not required to offer the coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes Medicaid expansion for obesity treatment, requiring state budget allocation for new coverage starting 2027, aligning with funding essential health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment (behavioral therapy, surgery, medications), expanding healthcare access and funding for a critical health condition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 282: Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

This is a procedural budget bill (SB 282) that allocates $859 million in state funds for Maryland's fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directly funds state agencies including the judiciary (courts, public defender office, and legal services), legislative operations, and administrative offices. The total includes $771 million in general fund appropriations, $86 million in special fund appropriations, and $1.4 million in federal funds. This bill establishes the baseline funding for state operations but does not create new policies or affect citizens directly.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $859M for state agencies including judiciary and legislative operations, directly funding government spending and fiscal management per budget bill language.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds judiciary (courts, public defender office) and legal services, core criminal justice components per bill summary.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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 30, 2026

HB 888: Washington County - Property Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans - Eligibility

HB 888 expands Washington County's property tax credit program for disabled veterans to include members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Public Health Service (PHS) who meet the same disability and service criteria as military veterans. The bill amends existing law to add these federal service members to the definition of "disabled veteran," allowing them to qualify for a credit equal to their VA disability rating percentage on their primary residence. This change directly affects eligible NOAA and PHS members who are disabled veterans under federal standards, as well as their surviving spouses who meet ownership and residency requirements. The credit applies to property tax on the dwelling house owned by qualifying individuals, effective June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax credit for disabled veterans (including NOAA/PHS), providing targeted tax relief under fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax credit eligibility to include NOAA/PHS disabled veterans, directly advancing benefits for covered veterans under existing disability criteria.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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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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