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 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 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 · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 300: Economic Development - Rural Readiness Program and Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund - Establishment

SB 300 establishes the Rural Readiness Program, administered by the Rural Maryland Council, to help eligible rural communities (including nonprofits, local governments, tribes, and economic development organizations) build capacity for economic growth through grant application support and project development. It creates a priority for these communities to receive certain state grants, such as those from the Maryland Agricultural Education Fund and the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund, after completing the program. The bill also creates the Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund - a permanent fund for grants supporting planning and capacity-building initiatives in rural areas. These provisions directly aim to address rural communities' challenges in accessing resources, infrastructure, and skilled staff.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund to allocate state grants for economic development, directly funding new program under state budget appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 287: Economic Development - Tax Increment Financing - Noncontiguous Areas

SB 287 allows local governments in Maryland to designate *noncontiguous* blighted areas as development districts for tax increment financing (TIF). This means communities can now use TIF tools for economic development projects in disconnected land parcels (like separate lots in a blighted neighborhood) that were previously ineligible under the law. The bill amends Maryland’s Economic Development Code to explicitly include "noncontiguous" areas in the definition of "development district" and updates related sections to permit this designation. It directly affects counties, cities, and other local governments seeking to revitalize fragmented blighted areas through TIF. The change takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands TIF eligibility to noncontiguous areas, enabling local governments to use tax increment financing for economic development projects, strengthening fiscal management tools under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 518: Maryland Financial Empowerment Center Network Pilot Program - Establishment

SB 518 establishes a 3-year pilot program to create a statewide network of free financial empowerment centers across Maryland, operating under the Office of the Comptroller. These centers will provide one-on-one financial counseling in English and Spanish (and other required languages) to help residents increase savings, pay down debt, access banking, and improve credit scores. The program requires counselors to complete specific training and will be funded through state budget appropriations for fiscal years 2028 and 2029, ending September 30, 2029. The pilot targets Maryland residents seeking accessible financial guidance, particularly in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds new financial counseling program via state budget appropriations, supporting fiscal management through public service funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 766: Taxes - Whistleblower Reward Program - Alterations

SB 766 expands Maryland's tax whistleblower program to reward individuals who report significant tax violations. It directly affects whistleblowers who provide original information about tax cases involving: - Individuals with federal adjusted gross income of $250,000+ (or married couples filing jointly), - Businesses with $2 million+ in annual gross receipts, - Where taxes in dispute exceed $250,000. Key mechanisms include allowing the Attorney General and state agencies to pursue enforcement actions using whistleblower tips, requiring information sharing between agencies, and setting awards at 15-30% of collected taxes/penalties. The bill modifies existing tax enforcement rules to broaden eligibility for rewards while maintaining strict requirements for "original information."

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands whistleblower program to target tax evasion by high earners/businesses, increasing revenue collection and closing loopholes per fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 270: Public Service Commission - Full Costs and Benefits Analysis of Sources of Electricity Generation

SB 270 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to analyze the full costs to ratepayers of different electricity generation options, including natural gas, nuclear, and offshore wind (specifically 8,500 MW capacity). The analysis must compare costs under three scenarios: natural gas alone, nuclear alone, and offshore wind with energy storage, while accounting for wind's intermittency and reliability costs. It mandates using a standardized cost model to identify the most cost-effective energy sources for ratepayers. The Commission must submit findings and policy recommendations to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2027. This bill directly affects Maryland electricity consumers by informing future energy policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates cost analysis to identify most cost-effective energy source, promoting fiscal responsibility for ratepayers via standardized cost modeling.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates analysis including offshore wind (8,500 MW) alongside fossil/nuclear, requiring cost comparison under scenarios that position renewables as a viable option for ratepayers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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