Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 500: Sales and Use Tax - Precious Metal Bullion or Coins - Exemption

HB 500 removes two requirements that previously limited the sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion and coins. Specifically, it eliminates the $1,000 minimum sale price and the requirement that sales must occur at the Baltimore Convention Center. The bill expands the exemption to cover all qualifying precious metal bullion (refined metal where value depends on metal content) and historically used coins, while still excluding jewelry and art. This change directly affects buyers and sellers of these items by making the exemption available for more transactions without location or price restrictions. The exemption will apply to all qualifying sales starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands sales tax exemption for precious metals, providing tax relief for qualifying buyers/sellers, directly affecting tax policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 410: Public Libraries - State Library Resource Center - Funding

SB 410 adjusts Maryland's funding formula for public libraries by increasing per-resident allocations for both regional resource centers and the State Library Resource Center. It raises the regional funding rate from $9.59 per resident in 2025 to $9.79 in 2026 and $9.99 annually starting in 2027. For the State Library Resource Center, it increases funding from $1.97 per resident in 2024 to $2.07 for 2025-2027, then gradually rising to $2.64 per resident by 2032 and beyond. These changes directly affect all regional libraries receiving state funding and the statewide State Library Resource Center. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for public libraries via higher per-resident allocations, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases library funding, enhancing educational access and resources for K-12 communities through expanded library services and infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 660: Public Libraries - State Library Resource Center - Funding

HB 660 revises funding formulas for Maryland's public library system. It adjusts the per-resident funding rates for two key components: (1) regional resource centers (increasing from $9.79 to $9.99 per resident starting fiscal year 2027), and (2) the State Library Resource Center (increasing from $2.07 to $2.64 per state resident by fiscal year 2032). The bill directly affects all public libraries participating in Maryland's regional resource centers and the State Library Resource Center. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, maintain the existing per-resident calculation structure while updating specific annual funding amounts for operating and capital expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for public libraries via higher per-resident rates, directly supporting public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 680: Children's Cabinet Fund - Renaming and Funding for Grants to Local Management Boards

HB 680 renames Maryland's "Children's Cabinet Fund" to the "Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund" and mandates specific annual funding increases for grants to local management boards. Starting in fiscal year 2028, the Governor must appropriate $3 million above the 2027 level, with $2 million increases each subsequent year through 2031. These funds support local boards in implementing coordinated services for children and families, including youth development, prevention, crisis intervention, and reducing out-of-home placements. The bill directly affects local management boards that coordinate child welfare services, requiring them to align with state and local plans when applying for these grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual funding increases ($3M+ starting 2028) for children's services grants, directly expanding state budget allocations for public programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 671: Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman - Mandatory Appropriation

HB 671 requires Maryland's Governor to allocate at least 3% of funds collected from a Medicaid quality assessment on qualifying nursing facilities (45+ beds operating in the state) to fund the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman starting in fiscal year 2027. This directly affects nursing facilities that pay the assessment and ensures dedicated, supplemental funding for the Ombudsman office, which advocates for residents' rights in long-term care settings. The bill updates existing law to mandate this specific allocation from the assessment pool, specifying that these funds must be "in addition to" and not replace existing Ombudsman funding. It does not change the assessment rate (capped at 6% of facility revenue) or the reporting requirements for the Department.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 3% of Medicaid assessment funds to directly fund Ombudsman office, allocating existing revenue to strengthen advocacy for long-term care residents through dedicated budgeting.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds Ombudsman office to advocate for nursing home residents' rights, strengthening patient protections in long-term care under Medicaid program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 1003: Howard County - Sheriff and State's Attorney - Compensation Ho. Co. 13-26

This bill sets new salary schedules for the Howard County Sheriff and State's Attorney, effective October 1, 2026. It establishes specific annual compensation amounts for both positions through 2030, with the Sheriff's salary tied to a police management schedule for the first year of their term and the State's Attorney's salary linked to a District Court judge's pay for 2026. The legislation also includes a provision ensuring these salary changes apply only to officials whose terms begin after the act takes effect, except for those appointed or elected to fill unexpired terms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new salary schedules for key law enforcement and legal officials, increasing funding for essential public services and government positions.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 877: Baltimore City - Stop Sign Monitoring Systems Pilot Program - 41st Legislative District

SB 877 authorizes Baltimore City to pilot stop sign monitoring systems (cameras that capture violations) in the Mt. Washington neighborhood school zones, specifically within the 41st legislative district. It requires that 50% of fines collected from violations caught by these systems be directed to Baltimore City's local management board for youth programming and services exclusively for youth living in or attending schools within the 41st district. The bill also aligns Baltimore City's rules with existing Maryland law for similar programs in Prince George’s County and Takoma Park. This pilot program is limited to specific school zones and mandates dedicated funding for local youth services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly allocates 50% of traffic fine revenue to youth programming services in the 41st district, funding essential community programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill implements stop sign monitoring cameras in school zones to enhance traffic safety, directly aligning with transportation safety initiatives per bill summary.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 905: Maryland Technology Development Corporation - Maryland Advanced Manufacturing Grant Program - Established

This bill establishes the Maryland Advanced Manufacturing Grant Program within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support companies specializing in regenerative medicine and other advanced manufacturing sectors. The program will provide grants that recipients can use exclusively for acquiring or renovating manufacturing space, improving infrastructure, and purchasing necessary equipment. A dedicated fund will be created to hold grant money, with interest earnings credited back to the fund rather than the state's general fund. The Corporation will work with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission to set eligibility criteria, application procedures, and award amounts, with the program taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a grant program funded by state resources to support manufacturing and regenerative medicine sectors, representing new government spending for economic development.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds advanced manufacturing including regenerative medicine, which directly supports healthcare innovation and development.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes grant program to fund advanced manufacturing and technology development, directly supporting technology sector growth90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 858: Department of Budget and Management - Audit and Finance Compliance Unit - Establishment

SB 858 establishes the Audit and Finance Compliance Unit within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management. The unit directly affects all Executive Branch state agencies by monitoring their progress in resolving audit findings from the Office of Legislative Audits. Key provisions require the unit to create a public dashboard on its website showing agency audit status (including resolution timelines and repeat findings), form a specialized team to assist agencies with four or more repeat audit issues, and report quarterly to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. The dashboard must launch by October 1, 2027, and track corrective actions for all agencies annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes audit compliance unit to monitor fiscal accountability and resolve audit findings, promoting fiscal responsibility per Budget & Taxes indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 833: Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion

SB 833 (introduced by Senator Hershey) amends Maryland law to allow Queen Anne’s County Commissioners to use development impact fees for capital costs related to replacing public school facilities. This expands the existing authorized uses of these fees under Section 20-706 of the Maryland Annotated Code, specifically adding school facility replacement as a permitted purpose. The bill applies only to Queen Anne’s County and takes effect July 1, 2026. It is a procedural change to the county’s fee usage rules, not a new tax or broad policy shift.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands authorized use of development fees for public school facility replacement, supporting essential program funding through fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows use of development fees for school facility replacement, directly funding K-12 infrastructure improvements per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes