Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 472: Income Tax - Theatrical Production Tax Credit - Alterations and Sunset Extension

HB 472 extends the expiration date for Maryland's theatrical production tax credit from 2027 to 2032. This credit allows theater producers to claim a reduction on their state income tax for qualifying production costs. The bill directly affects film and theater producers in Maryland who currently qualify for the credit. It modifies existing law (from 2022) to extend the credit's validity period by five additional years, ensuring the program remains active through 2032 without requiring new legislative action.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExtends tax credit for theaters, reducing state tax revenue; weakens fiscal management by forgoing potential revenue without funding public services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 734: Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

HB 734 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment from 2025 to December 31, 2030. It applies to systems placed in service after June 30, 2022, and approved by the Public Service Commission by the new deadline. The bill ensures land used for qualifying community solar projects is assessed as actively farmed agricultural land, allowing property owners to receive lower tax rates. This directly affects landowners operating community solar systems that meet these criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends agricultural tax assessment for solar projects, lowering property taxes for qualifying landowners by maintaining reduced tax rates under agricultural classification.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends tax incentives for community solar projects, lowering costs for developers and promoting renewable energy adoption through agricultural tax assessment benefits.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax incentives for community solar projects, promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill's focus on qualifying solar systems.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 139: Sales and Use Tax - Tax-Free Day - Veterans' Day

HB 139 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) starting in 2026, allowing veterans to purchase items under $2,000 without paying Maryland's sales tax. To qualify, veterans must show a driver's license or ID card noting veteran status at the point of sale. The Comptroller can suspend the tax-free day at their discretion. This law directly affects veterans shopping for qualifying items on Veterans Day, creating a temporary sales tax exemption with specific verification requirements.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates temporary sales tax exemption for veterans, reducing state revenue and weakening tax base during the tax-free day.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransTax-free shopping on Veterans Day provides direct financial benefit to veterans, recognizing service through reduced costs on qualifying items.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 4: Charitable Organizations - Charitable Donation and Tax-Exempt Status - Revocation (Keeping Charities Nonpartisan Act of 2026)

SB 4, the "Keeping Charities Nonpartisan Act of 2026," requires charitable organizations recognized by the IRS for tax-deductible donations to remain nonpartisan. It prohibits these groups from participating in political campaigns for or against candidates for public office. The bill authorizes Maryland’s Secretary of State and Attorney General to jointly revoke a charity’s tax-exempt status if it violates this rule, and mandates that the Comptroller and State Department of Assessments and Taxation must revoke related state tax exemptions. This directly affects Maryland-based charities receiving federal tax-deductible donations, requiring them to avoid political activity to maintain their tax status.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces tax-exempt status rules for charities, closing potential misuse of tax benefits and promoting fiscal responsibility in tax policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 267: Land Use - Residential Housing - Oversight and Approval (Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act)

SB 267, the "Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act," aims to increase residential housing development by changing oversight, regulation, and tax policies. It requires property owners to certify contact information to the housing department, empowers local governments to streamline approvals for housing projects, and sets housing production targets. The bill allows counties to reduce certain taxes or fees for affordable housing projects while increasing them for non-affordable developments, and permits local tax adjustments for different property types. These changes directly affect property owners, local governments, and housing developers across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allows tax/fee reductions for affordable housing projects, providing targeted tax relief aligned with supporting lower-income housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases affordable housing via tax incentives for affordable projects, streamlines approvals, and sets housing production targets to advance development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 352: Motor Vehicles - Special Registration Plates - Old Line Plates (Old Line License Plate Program Act of 2026)

SB 352 creates a special "Old Line Plate" program for Maryland motor vehicles, allowing owners of qualifying vehicles (passenger cars, light trucks under 10,000 lbs, and multipurpose vehicles) to obtain registration plates with numeric-only license numbers (1-5 digits, no letters or leading zeros). The Motor Vehicle Administration will auction rights to specific numbers, with proceeds funding transportation costs. Owners can transfer these number rights under strict rules (e.g., 180-day holding period, limited annual transfers) but cannot claim ownership of the plate itself. The program takes effect October 1, 2026, with the first auction by December 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill generates revenue via plate number auctions to fund transportation costs, directly advancing government spending on essential infrastructure as per 'funds essential programs' indicator.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuctioning plate number rights funds transportation costs, directly supporting infrastructure funding through dedicated revenue.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 23: Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program and Fund - Establishment

This bill creates Maryland's GREEN Loan Program, providing no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofits for solar panels, energy-efficient building upgrades (like new windows or HVAC systems), and related planning. Nonprofits must contribute 10% of project costs, with priority given to those with annual budgets under $1 million. The program is funded through state budget appropriations and transfers from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center. Loans require repayment over time with deferred payment options, and must demonstrate long-term energy cost savings exceeding the loan's total cost.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunded via state budget appropriations for nonprofit energy projects, advancing fiscal support for green initiatives through public spending.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes no-interest loans for nonprofits to install solar panels and energy-efficient upgrades, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and efficiency through state-funded program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates no-interest loans for nonprofits to adopt solar/energy efficiency, promoting clean energy and reducing emissions. Funded by state and Clean Energy Center.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 520: Property Tax - Charter Counties - Application of County Tax Limitation on Public Safety Budget

SB 520 allows charter counties in Maryland to set property tax rates above their charter limits - via simple majority vote - to fund public safety budgets (like police and fire services). It requires that any excess tax revenue collected beyond the charter limit must be allocated solely to public safety, not other county programs. The bill applies only to charter counties (e.g., Baltimore County) and mandates annual reporting to the Governor and legislature on tax rates and revenue usage. This changes existing tax rules by creating a specific exemption for public safety funding while maintaining other budget constraints.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables increased property tax revenue allocation specifically for public safety budgets, advancing funding for essential services under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly funds public safety (police/fire) via property tax increases with dedicated allocation, advancing law enforcement resources under criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 764: Education - Minimum Wage for Education Support Professionals - Report on Estimated Cost

SB 764 establishes a minimum wage of $25.00 per hour for education support professionals in Maryland public schools, effective July 1, 2028. It directly affects county boards of education (which must pay this wage) and noncertificated school staff in non-supervisory bargaining units, such as aides, secretaries, and maintenance workers. The bill requires the State Department of Education to report by December 1, 2026, on the cost of implementing this wage, broken down by school system. It does not change current wages but mandates a new hourly rate for these positions starting in 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $25/hr wage for education staff, increasing state/local government spending on public education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly increases wages for school support staff (aides, secretaries, maintenance), strengthening educational workforce compensation and funding access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly establishes $25/hr minimum wage for education support staff, increasing wages and protecting worker compensation under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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