Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 257: Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and Fellowship Fund - Reporting

SB 257 requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to include specific details in its annual report to the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment and the House Environment and Transportation Committee. The report must state how much money from a tax on transfers of woodland property was distributed to the Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and Fellowship Fund in the previous fiscal year, plus any uncertainties about that amount. This bill does not change the Fund’s purpose or funding sources but mandates clearer annual reporting for transparency. The reporting requirement applies to annual reports due September 30 each year, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires reporting on tax revenue distribution for woodland fund, ensuring fiscal accountability without altering tax structure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 547: Income Tax - Enhanced Agricultural Management Equipment Subtraction Modification and Parent of a Stillborn Child Credit

HB 547 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for agricultural equipment by allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to add new equipment types through regulation. This directly affects Maryland farmers who purchase qualifying equipment, including technologies that reduce soil disturbance and nutrient runoff. The bill modifies existing tax rules (Section 10-208(d)) to include "enhanced agricultural management equipment" determined by the Secretary, beyond the current list of specific items like no-till planters or manure injection systems. Farmers must still meet standard requirements, such as owning equipment for at least three years and using it in agricultural production.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for agricultural equipment, providing tax relief to farmers under existing tax code modifications.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes tax deductions for equipment reducing soil disturbance and nutrient runoff, directly addressing pollution control in agricultural practices.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 358: Sales and Use Tax - Elementary or Secondary School Book Fairs - Exemption

HB 358 exempts sales tax on in-person book fairs held at Maryland elementary or secondary schools when organized by the school, a nonprofit parent-teacher organization (PTO), or another school-based nonprofit. The exemption applies only if the book fair occurs on school premises and all net proceeds are used solely for the school’s educational benefit or student programs. This change modifies Maryland’s tax code by adding a new exemption under Section 11-204(b)(9), specifically covering book fairs managed by school staff, students, or PTO members acting as agents for vendors. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on school book fairs, directing net proceeds to educational programs, providing tax relief that funds public schools.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts sales tax on school book fairs, directing net proceeds to educational programs and student benefits, effectively increasing school funding for educational activities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 28: Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026

SB 28 requires state agencies and institutions (like the University System of Maryland and Maryland Environmental Service) to use a neutral third-party arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association's panel when collective bargaining reaches an impasse. It mandates that budget bills include all necessary funds to implement agreements reached through bargaining, including memoranda of understanding (MOUs) covering employee terms and conditions. The bill makes the arbitrator's recommendations advisory (not binding) and sets deadlines for negotiations to conclude by September 30. This directly affects state employees represented by exclusive bargaining units and ensures funding for negotiated terms is included in annual budgets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates budget bills include funds for employee agreements (MOUs), ensuring fiscal implementation of bargaining outcomes and supporting public sector funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates neutral arbitration for collective bargaining impasses and requires budget funding for implemented agreements, strengthening worker negotiation rights and protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 429: On-Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program - Established

HB 429 establishes two grant programs to reduce food waste and promote composting. The On-Farm Organics Diversion Grant Program (under Agriculture) funds farmers, urban farmers, and related entities to implement on-farm composting, food rescue, and waste prevention. The Wasted Food Reduction Grant Program (under Environment) funds projects like food rescue infrastructure, community composting, and education to reduce wasted food statewide. Eligible projects must meet specific standards, such as producing certified compost and prioritizing underserved communities, with grants awarded annually starting July 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants to establish food waste reduction programs, directly increasing government spending on environmental initiatives per budget & taxes definition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes grant programs for on-farm composting, food rescue, and waste reduction - directly advancing environmental conservation by diverting organic waste from landfills and promoting resource conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 39: Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Modernization - Workgroup Establishment and Study

SB 39 establishes a workgroup to develop a sustainable reimbursement rate methodology for Maryland's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and Outpatient Mental Health Centers (OMHCs), directly affecting behavioral health providers facing financial strain due to outdated rates. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to conduct a cost study of OMHC services, form an advisory panel to review rate recommendations, and increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for OMHCs in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Key provisions include evaluating provider costs, workforce needs, and alignment with somatic health care parity, while addressing closures like those in Frederick County. The workgroup must report findings by December 2027, aiming to stabilize provider finances and ensure continued access to community mental health care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health centers, directly funding public health services through state budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health centers to address financial strain and ensure provider sustainability, directly supporting behavioral health services funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 590: Howard County - Transfer Tax - Use of Proceeds Ho. Co. 12-26

HB 590 renames Howard County's Agricultural Land Preservation Fund to the Agricultural Preservation and Innovation Fund and specifies how property transfer tax revenues are distributed. The bill directs 25% of transfer tax proceeds to school construction, 25% to park and watershed projects, and the remaining 50% to be split: 50% (of the remainder) for agricultural programs (including innovation to support farming sustainability), 25% for low-income housing and community improvement, and 25% for fire services. It also requires that any revenue from an increased transfer tax rate be distributed equally among school capital projects, recreation and parks capital projects, low-income housing, and fire services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates transfer tax revenues to schools, parks, agricultural innovation, and low-income housing programs, directly funding public services and essential initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 25% of transfer tax proceeds specifically to school construction, directly funding school infrastructure per education topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates 25% of transfer tax proceeds to 'low-income housing and community improvement', directly funding affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 403: Sales and Use Tax - Elementary or Secondary School Book Fairs - Exemption

SB 403 exempts sales tax on in-person book fairs held at Maryland elementary and secondary schools. It applies to sales by schools, parent-teacher organizations (PTOs), or other nonprofit groups operating these events on school premises. The exemption covers sales where students, staff, or PTO members act as agents for vendors, with all net proceeds used solely for the school's educational benefit. This bill adds a new tax exemption provision (Section 11-204(b)(9)) to Maryland’s tax code, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on school book fairs, providing tax relief for educational programs and increasing net proceeds for schools per tax code amendment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts sales tax on school book fairs, increasing net proceeds for educational programs without direct state funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 654: Natural Resources - Maryland Heritage Areas Authority - Funding and Grants

HB 654 modifies funding rules for Maryland's Heritage Areas Authority, directly affecting local jurisdictions and entities managing certified heritage areas. It removes previous 50% limits on grant coverage for project costs (allowing full funding for eligible activities like preservation and marketing) and adjusts how Program Open Space funds are used. Specifically, it increases the allowable percentage for operating expenses from 10% to 7% or $600,000 (whichever is greater), and raises the maximum funding transfer to the Authority's Financing Fund. These changes aim to provide greater flexibility for heritage area management while maintaining oversight of fund usage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves 50% grant limit, allowing full funding for heritage preservation/marketing, and increases operating expense allowances, directly expanding public spending on cultural programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves 50% grant cap for preservation activities in heritage areas, enabling full funding for conservation projects under Maryland's Heritage Areas Authority.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 163: Income Tax - Addition Modification for Federal Tax-Exempt Income - Study

SB 163 modifies Maryland's income tax calculation by removing a requirement to include certain foreign earned income in taxable income. It specifically exempts income that qualifies for exclusion under federal law (IRS Section 911), such as earnings from work abroad that are already excluded from federal taxes but would otherwise be added to Maryland taxable income. This change directly affects Maryland residents earning qualifying foreign income who currently face state taxation on that income. The bill amends Maryland tax code sections 10-204(a) and 10-204(c)(1)(I) and takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts federally tax-exempt foreign income from state tax, reducing tax burden for residents earning abroad.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes