HB 1039 requires county school boards to notify parents of students attending schools labeled "failing" (those with a 1-star rating for three consecutive years) annually by January 1, providing a list of alternative options. Students must choose by April 1 to stay at their current school or transfer to a non-failing public school, nonpublic school, or military boarding school. The bill creates a "Right to Learn" scholarship program funded by counties to cover nonpublic school costs for students in failing schools, and mandates school systems to pay for military boarding school enrollment for students with disciplinary issues. Failing schools remain designated until they earn two stars for two consecutive years.
HB 1343 would authorize Maryland to offer licensed online gambling by allowing the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses to qualified operators. It requires licensees to verify users' age and location before permitting play and establishes a fund to support displaced video lottery employees. Crucially, the bill changes how internet gaming revenue funds public schools: starting in fiscal year 2028, counties must directly allocate gaming proceeds to school budgets instead of counting them toward existing education funding calculations. This affects online gambling companies, state regulators, county governments, and public school systems across Maryland.
SB 767 would allow Baltimore City and Maryland counties or municipalities to create a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented at fair market value to small businesses located in two specific zones: Arts and Entertainment Districts (under Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Economic Development Article) or designated Main Street Maryland communities. Local governments would set the credit amount, duration, eligibility rules, and application process through their own ordinances. The credit applies to property taxes on qualifying buildings and takes effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026. This bill directly affects small businesses renting commercial space in these designated areas and the local governments managing property tax policy.
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.
HB 1422 requires Maryland state agencies receiving at least $2 billion annually in state and federal funds to appoint chief financial officers (CFOs) meeting specific qualifications, such as being a certified public accountant with five years of fiscal management experience or holding a relevant master's degree with three years of experience. These CFOs must submit detailed annual financial reports to the Office of the Comptroller, including certification of accuracy and documentation linking federal funds to specific programs. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Budget to grant pay plan exemptions to help recruit qualified CFOs and mandates agencies to provide documentation if they choose not to pursue liquidated damages from contract breaches. This legislation applies to Executive Branch units meeting the funding threshold and aims to standardize financial oversight.
HB 1280 directs Maryland's Comptroller to study whether a program providing monthly payments to caregivers for specific family members would be feasible. The study must examine economic impacts like potential job growth, increased tax revenue, and reduced public benefits use, while assessing costs and funding options. It requires collaboration with the Department of Human Services and agencies like the Department of Aging, with a final report due by July 1, 2027. The bill expires June 30, 2028, and does not create the program itself.
HB 959 establishes Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership between Maryland's Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City. The bill prohibits entrance fees, specifies the park's boundaries, and requires the Department to hire an independent consultant to create a master plan for the park. It mandates that $4 million in fiscal year 2028 be allocated specifically for renovating a joint partnership office and visitor center in the park. This bill directly affects Baltimore City residents and park visitors by creating a fee-free, locally managed park with defined operational requirements.
SB 924 establishes the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Grant Program within the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The program provides grants to chambers of commerce for two key purposes: subsidizing membership fees for underrepresented individuals (covering one year of lowest-tier membership at no cost) and funding inter-chamber events (like networking activities, covering venue, promotion, and staff costs). To qualify, chambers must demonstrate programming support for new members, maintain annual funding for a full-time position, and submit annual reports on membership awards and participant feedback. The bill mandates a $100,000 annual state appropriation for the program, effective October 1, 2026, and requires detailed application requirements for both grant types.
HB 842 repeals a requirement that a surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty must acquire a dwelling house within two years of the service member's death to qualify for a property tax exemption. The bill directly affects surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty, allowing them to qualify for the exemption regardless of when they purchase or acquire the home. Key provisions remove the 2-year acquisition deadline from existing law (Maryland Code, Tax-Property § 7-208(b)), making the exemption available as long as the surviving spouse meets other eligibility criteria. This change takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
SB 805 modifies Maryland's Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit program. It changes the recapture rule so individuals only repay the *unused portion* of the credit (not the full amount) if they don't use it for student loan payments within 3 years. The bill also authorizes the Maryland Higher Education Commission to extend the repayment deadline for eligible individuals facing specific delays, such as litigation over federal student loan plans or government processing issues. This directly affects Maryland residents who claimed the credit for undergraduate or graduate student loan debt and must now use it within a flexible timeframe. The bill does not alter credit limits ($9 million for 2025, $18 million annually after) or priority rules for state employees.
