Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 987: Corporate Income Tax - Addition Modification - Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

SB 987 modifies Maryland's corporate income tax to allow pharmaceutical companies to deduct certain direct-to-consumer advertising expenses for covered drugs. It directly affects pharmaceutical manufacturers that advertise prescription drugs directly to the public via TV, radio, social media, or digital platforms (excluding journal ads). The bill creates a new tax deduction for these advertising costs, with revenue from this modification distributed as follows: the first $5 million annually to Medicaid eligibility operations, and remaining funds to health insurance subsidy programs. This change aligns Maryland's tax treatment with federal rules while directing revenue toward health coverage affordability.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates new corporate tax deduction, reducing state revenue by allowing pharmaceutical companies to deduct advertising costs, weakening fiscal management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 987: Public Safety - Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund - Alterations (Community Safety and Intervention Funding Act)

HB 987 increases the minimum annual funding for Maryland’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund from $3 million to $10 million starting fiscal year 2028. It establishes new geographic allocation rules: 40% of funds must go to Baltimore City and County, 40% to Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, and the remainder to other jurisdictions disproportionately affected by violence. The bill directly affects local governments and nonprofits administering violence prevention programs across Maryland by changing how funding is distributed. Key provisions clarify the fund’s composition (including state appropriations and investment earnings) and require the Governor to include the $10 million minimum in annual budget bills. The changes aim to standardize funding based on regional violence levels and application strength.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for violence prevention programs from $3M to $10M annually, directly advancing public safety budget allocation.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 925: Sales and Use Tax – Distribution of Cannabis Sales Tax Revenue – Maryland Veterans Trust Fund

SB 925 directs 3% of the sales and use tax revenue collected from cannabis sales in Maryland to be distributed quarterly to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. This fund provides monetary and non-monetary assistance to veterans, their families, Maryland National Guard members, and supporting programs. The bill amends existing tax code to establish this specific allocation, requiring the Comptroller to distribute the funds after other mandated distributions for cannabis tax revenue. This policy change directly affects veterans' support programs by creating a dedicated revenue stream from cannabis taxation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 3% cannabis tax revenue to veterans fund, increasing dedicated funding for essential veteran assistance programs.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirects 3% cannabis tax revenue to Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, providing monetary/non-monetary assistance to veterans per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Sales Tax National Guard & Reserve

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1430: Maryland Public Charter School Program - School Facilities - Funding

HB 1430 requires Maryland's Interagency Commission on School Construction to distribute funds directly to public charter schools for maintaining and operating their facilities, bypassing local governments. It mandates that starting in fiscal year 2028, the state must appropriate $1,600 per enrolled student from the previous fiscal year for these facilities. The bill applies to all public charter schools occupying facilities used for K-12 education, including those that own or lease their buildings. This establishes a fixed per-student funding formula for facility costs, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates $1,600/student state funding for charter school facilities, directly increasing public school infrastructure spending through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates direct state funding for charter school facilities at $1,600/student annually starting 2028, directly increasing infrastructure support for K-12 public charter schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice School Funding

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 934: Education - Public School Construction - Funding

SB 934 increases Maryland's annual funding goal for public school construction from $450 million to $550 million, effective starting in fiscal year 2027. This change applies directly to public school construction projects funded through the state's Capital Improvement Program, aiming to maintain a stable number of funded projects. The bill clarifies that the $550 million annual goal does not include funds provided via the Built to Learn Program. It also requires the funding level to be recalculated before the Public School Facilities Priority Fund is funded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual state funding for public school construction from $450M to $550M, directly advancing public service funding within budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases public school construction funding from $450M to $550M annually, directly advancing school infrastructure investment per bill summary.95% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 587: Maryland Patient Safety Center Fund - Funding

SB 587 requires the Governor to include a mandatory $1 million annual appropriation for the Maryland Patient Safety Center Fund in the state budget, starting with fiscal year 2027. This fund subsidizes the designated Patient Safety Center’s costs to develop statewide patient safety initiatives, reduce preventable harm, and improve equitable healthcare. The Center must coordinate with healthcare providers and patients, and the Commission administers the nonlapsing fund, which includes interest earnings and must be reported to legislative committees annually. The bill directly affects the Center, the Governor, and the Commission, ensuring consistent funding for patient safety efforts without replacing other state appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $1M annual appropriation for patient safety center, increasing state budget funding for public health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates $1M annual funding for patient safety initiatives to reduce harm and improve equitable healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1510: Unemployment Insurance - Fraud Prevention, Detection, and Enforcement

HB 1510 requires unemployment insurance claimants in Maryland to use two-step verification (like a password plus a code) when accessing online claim services to prevent fraud. It mandates the Department of Labor to review claims with suspicious patterns - such as identical bank account details used across multiple claims - and refer suspected fraud cases to law enforcement. The bill also authorizes the Department to recover overpaid benefits by withholding from state income tax refunds and increases penalties for fraud, including extending disqualification periods for claimants found to have committed fraud.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents fraud in unemployment benefits by recovering overpayments via tax refund withholdings, strengthening fiscal management and protecting state budget resources.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents fraud in unemployment claims, ensuring legitimate beneficiaries receive benefits and protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance system.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates two-step verification and fraud pattern analysis for cybersecurity, directly enhancing digital security in unemployment systems per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Unemployment

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 467: Maryland Child Care Credential Program - Extension of Funding

SB 467 extends annual funding for Maryland's Child Care Credential Program, directly affecting child care workers pursuing or holding approved credentials (like child development associate or administrator credentials). It revises funding requirements by mandating the Governor appropriate $4 million for fiscal year 2021, with 10% annual increases through 2024. Crucially, starting in fiscal year 2028, funding must be at least equal to the 2024 level, creating a fixed funding floor. The bill ensures ongoing support for credential holders through achievement bonuses, training reimbursements, or vouchers without altering the program's core eligibility or benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $4M FY2021 funding with 10% annual increases through 2024, creating a fixed funding floor from 2028 for child care credential program, directly increasing state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds credential program for child care workers, enhancing career development and employment standards through guaranteed annual funding increases.95% confidence

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1148: Property Taxes - Tax Sales, Legacy Protection Program, and Tax Credits

HB 1148 creates an Heirs Protection Program to prevent tax sales of inherited homes. It allows heirs (people who inherit a home after a homeowner's death) to become the official property owner, stay in their homes, and access property tax relief without losing the home to tax sales. The program is funded by a new Heirs Protection Fund financed by state and county governments, and requires the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to provide outreach and grants. The bill also expands eligibility for certain property tax credits to include heirs who aren't yet listed as the official property owner, under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for heirs through state/county-funded program, aligning with tax relief and program funding indicators per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents tax sales of inherited homes, provides property tax relief, and funds Heirs Protection Program to protect homeowners from displacement95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Homeownership Landlords Property Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 753: Tax Sales - Homeowner Protections - Revisions

HB 753 would require Maryland's State Tax Sale Ombudsman to create a process allowing homeowners to designate family members or representatives to handle tax sale matters on their behalf. It mandates that dwellings be withheld from tax sale if the homeowner has a physician-documented terminal illness or medical hardship. The bill also increases the maximum home value eligible for the Homeowner Protection Program and grants priority enrollment in the program to homeowners with terminal illness or medical hardship. These changes directly affect Maryland homeowners facing tax sale proceedings, particularly those with serious health conditions or limited capacity to navigate the process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by preventing forced home sales for vulnerable homeowners with terminal illness, aligning with support indicators for fiscal protection.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents forced tax sales for homeowners with terminal illness/medical hardship, expands Homeowner Protection Program eligibility, and prioritizes vulnerable homeowners - directly strengthening housing stability protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Taxes