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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 704: Maryland Estate Tax – Qualified Agricultural Property – Transfer to Limited Liability Company

This bill allows Maryland estates to transfer qualified agricultural property (farmland used primarily for farming) to a limited liability company (LLC) without triggering estate tax recapture under specific conditions. It modifies the estate tax exclusion to allow up to $5 million of qualified agricultural property value to be excluded from taxation when passed to a "qualified recipient" (a farmer continuing farm use). Crucially, if the property is transferred to an LLC owned solely by qualified recipients and remains used for farming for at least 10 years after the decedent's death, it avoids the standard 10-year recapture rule that would otherwise apply if farming stopped. The provision applies to estates of individuals dying after June 30, 2026, directly affecting farm owners who use LLC structures to manage inherited agricultural property.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates estate tax exclusion for high-value agricultural properties, reducing tax burden for wealthy landowners, aligning with 'tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 898: Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act

HB 898, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and expand incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the "Strategic Closing Fund" under the Department of Commerce, alters eligibility and calculation rules for tax credits (including Job Creation, R&D, and film production credits), and extends the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill allows pass-through entities to allocate tax credits to members and removes limits on film production tax credit certificates. These changes directly affect businesses, investors, and film producers seeking state economic development incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credits (Job Creation, R&D, film) and streamlines incentives, directly advancing economic development funding via tax policy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill includes R&D tax credits, a direct incentive for technology innovation and advancement, supporting tech industry growth.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 607: Constitutional Officers - Salaries

HB 607 increases the annual salaries for Maryland's four constitutional officers: the Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. The bill establishes new salary schedules with step increases after each anniversary of an officer's term, raising the first-year salary to $175,000-$185,000 (depending on the office) starting in 2027, with subsequent raises to $180,000-$185,000 in later years. These changes apply only to terms beginning on or after October 1, 2026, and do not affect current officeholders serving terms that started before this date. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland's Annotated Code to implement these salary adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state budget allocation for constitutional officers' salaries, directly funding government positions through new salary schedules.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 305: Qualifying Nonprofit Organizations - Incarcerated Individual Training and Reentry Grant Fund - Extension

SB 305 extends funding for nonprofit organizations providing automotive repair training and reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland. It extends the grant period from fiscal years 2026-2028 to 2026-2029, authorizing $1 million annually for qualifying nonprofits that train at least 50 individuals yearly in auto repair and achieve a 50% job placement rate for participants. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention administers the grants, requiring nonprofits to submit annual reports on fund usage, participant numbers, and employment outcomes. This bill directly affects nonprofits meeting specific service criteria and supports employment pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $1 million annually for nonprofit reentry programs, directly funding a social service through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends funding for job training/reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals, directly reducing recidivism through employment opportunities and rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends funding for job training and placement programs targeting formerly incarcerated individuals, directly advancing employment outcomes and workforce reentry through mandated job placement rates.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 625: Human-Relevant Research Fund - Collection of Contributions - Responsible Entity

HB 625 shifts responsibility for collecting fees from research facilities to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, replacing the current system under the Department of Health. It requires facilities submitting USDA Form 7023 (for animal testing) to pay annual contributions based on animal count: $5,000 for ≤100 animals, $10,000 for 101-500, $55,000 for 501-5,000, and $75,000 for over 5,000. Funds collected will support the Human-Relevant Research Fund established under Maryland’s Economic Development Article. The bill repeals existing health code provisions and creates new agriculture code sections for this fee structure, effective October 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes mandatory annual fees ($5k-$75k) based on animal counts, directing collected funds to a specific research fund, creating new revenue and fiscal allocation.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Human-Relevant Research Fund to support medical research alternatives, advancing healthcare innovation through funding animal testing fee shifts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 519: Earned Income Tax Credit - Assistance Program Implementation Delay and Study

SB 519 delays Maryland's Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance Program implementation until 2029, instead of 2024. It requires the Comptroller's Office to study outreach efforts by December 31, 2030, to help low-income residents claim the credit they qualify for but often miss. The bill also directs the Department of Service and Civic Innovation to recommend ways to assist low-income residents in claiming tax credits. This legislation postpones the program's start date while mandating studies to improve future outreach and participation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDelays EITC implementation until 2029, restricting immediate tax relief for low-income residents instead of advancing the credit program.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 933: Sales and Use Tax - Certificates Indicating Multiple Points of Use - Alterations

HB 933 simplifies sales tax collection for businesses purchasing digital codes, digital products, or taxable services used across multiple locations. It allows vendors to accept a "fully completed" certificate (requiring basic business details like names, addresses, and registration numbers) without needing Comptroller approval, relieving vendors from collecting tax on those transactions. The certificate remains valid for all future sales of qualifying digital products/services to the same buyer until revoked in writing. This applies retroactively to past transactions, streamlining tax compliance for businesses operating across jurisdictions or reselling digital goods.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces state tax revenue by exempting digital transactions from sales tax collection, weakening tax collection efforts without requiring Comptroller approval.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 644: Sales and Use Tax - Certificates Indicating Multiple Points of Use - Alterations

SB 644 simplifies tax collection for digital products and services used across multiple jurisdictions. It allows businesses (buyers) to submit a standardized certificate to vendors confirming that digital codes, products, or taxable services will be used in more than one taxing area or resold to affiliated entities. Once vendors receive a properly completed certificate, they are exempt from collecting, paying, or remitting sales tax for those transactions, and the certificate remains valid for future sales with the same buyer. The bill applies retroactively and eliminates the need for vendors to seek prior approval from the Comptroller for these certificates.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill exempts digital transactions from sales tax collection, reducing state tax revenue and weakening tax collection mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes