Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 745: Income Tax - Senior Tax Credit - Refundability

HB 745 makes Maryland's senior income tax credit refundable, allowing eligible residents aged 65 or older to receive a cash refund if the credit exceeds their state tax liability. The credit applies to single seniors with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 ($1,000 credit) and married couples filing jointly with income under $150,000 ($1,750 credit, or $1,000 if only one spouse qualifies). In specific fiscal years when state revenue estimates fall more than 3.75% below projections, the credit amount is reduced to $500 for singles ($50,000-$100,000 income) or $875 for married couples ($100,000-$150,000 income). This change ensures seniors receive the full credit amount as a refund rather than losing unused portions under previous non-refundable rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMakes senior tax credit refundable, providing tax relief for lower-income seniors (under $100k/$150k AGI), aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Revenue Tax Credits Tags Seniors

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 832: Nonprofit Hospitals - Community Benefits

SB 832 requires most nonprofit hospitals in Maryland to provide annual community benefits equal to either 100% of their tax-exempt value or 5% of their net patient revenue (with at least 4% in charity care). Hospitals must file annual reports detailing these benefits to the Health Services Cost Review Commission within 120 days of their fiscal year-end. The Commission then reports annually to the Attorney General and Comptroller by December 1, including compliance status and financial details. If a hospital fails to meet the requirements, the Comptroller may revoke its tax-exempt status for the following year, though hospitals can correct unintentional errors to avoid this. The bill excludes hospitals in counties with populations under 50,000.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires tax-exempt hospitals to provide community benefits, promoting fiscal responsibility in tax exemption use.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 4% charity care minimum, expanding access for underserved populations through hospital community benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Hospitals

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 1193: Department of Natural Resources - Savage Highlands State Park - Hotel Rental Surcharge

HB 1193 requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to collect an 8% surcharge on hotel rentals at Savage Highlands State Park. The revenue from this surcharge will be sent to the Comptroller for distribution to Garrett County. Specifically, 6% of the surcharge funds must be used by Garrett County for promoting the county, while the remaining 2% is directed to the county’s general fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects park renters and Garrett County’s budget allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes 8% hotel surcharge to fund Garrett County promotion (6%) and general fund (2%), directly generating tax revenue for local budget allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Fees & Licensing State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 916: Transportation - Regional Transportation Authorities

HB 916 establishes three new regional transportation funds for Baltimore, the Capital region, and Southern Maryland. It directs specific tax revenues - including 70% of sales tax surcharges and hotel surcharges collected in each region - to these funds, while the remaining 30% is distributed to local jurisdictions based on sales activity. The funds are designated as special, nonlapsing accounts, meaning they carry over year-to-year, and interest earned on these funds must be credited back to the same accounts. This bill creates the legal framework for regional transportation authorities to develop and implement transportation plans using these dedicated revenue streams.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 70% of regional sales/hotel tax surcharges to dedicated transportation funds, ensuring ongoing funding for infrastructure without new taxes or tax increases.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes dedicated regional transportation funds with allocated tax revenues, ensuring sustained funding for infrastructure projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Transportation Funding

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1518: Property Tax Assessments - 5-Year Assessment Cycle

HB 1518 changes Maryland's property tax assessment cycle from every three years to every five years for most real property. This affects all Maryland property owners by reducing how frequently their property values are reassessed for tax purposes. The bill maintains that revaluation is still required if specific events occur, such as zoning changes, major improvements adding $100,000+ in value, or errors in calculation. It also preserves property owners' rights to appeal assessments and request re-inspections during the five-year cycle. The bill amends multiple sections of Maryland's tax code to implement this extended cycle.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends property tax reassessment cycle from 3 to 5 years, reducing frequency of tax increases for homeowners and providing tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 857: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Military Retirement Income - Individuals Under the Age of 55

HB 857 modifies Maryland's income tax rules to reduce the tax deduction for military retirement income for retirees under age 55. Currently, those under 55 receive a $12,500 deduction, but this bill would lower it to $20,000 (effectively increasing their taxable income by $7,500 annually). The change applies to military retirement income received during the taxable year, directly affecting Maryland residents who are military retirees under 55. The bill amends Section 10-207(q) of Maryland's tax code and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state tax revenue by reducing a deduction for military retirees under 55, directly supporting budget revenue through tax policy.90% confidence ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransBill reduces tax deduction for military retirees under 55, increasing taxable income by $7,500 annually, weakening a financial benefit for veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 967: Electric Companies – Environmental Surcharges or Fees – Prohibition on Collection

HB 967 prohibits Maryland electric companies from collecting certain environmental surcharges or fees during the year following any year when residential electricity bills rise faster than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers. It directly affects residential electricity customers by preventing additional charges if their bills outpace general inflation. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to annually calculate the annual growth in both the CPI and average residential electricity bills (using data ending June 30) and to block environmental fees if bill growth exceeds CPI growth. This applies to most environmental fees but excludes three specific fee types listed in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProhibits environmental fees during CPI spikes, preventing additional costs for residential customers and providing tax relief during inflationary periods.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits environmental surcharges that fund protections, reducing potential funding for environmental initiatives during inflation spikes.90% confidence

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

HB 1277: Education - Maryland Institute for Literacy and Equity - Establishment

HB 1277 establishes the Maryland Institute for Literacy and Equity as a partnership between the University of Maryland, College Park, and Morgan State University. The bill requires the Governor to fund the Institute with $3 million in fiscal year 2028 (split between the two universities), increasing to $6 million annually starting in 2031. The Institute must conduct research, provide training for educators and literacy professionals, and offer technical assistance to school districts to improve reading instruction and outcomes - particularly for students in underserved communities. This directly affects Maryland students, school districts, and literacy professionals by creating a state-funded resource to address declining reading scores and equity gaps.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $3M (FY2028) increasing to $6M annually (2031) for a new state education institute, directly funding a public service program under state budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $3M-$6M annually for literacy research, educator training, and school district technical assistance, directly advancing educational access and teacher support in K-12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Libraries

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1540: University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center - Funding - Repeal of Termination Date

HB 1540 repeals the 2028 termination date for annual state funding required for the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. The bill ensures the state will continue appropriating $10 million each fiscal year (previously set to end in 2028) to support the center's operations and transition. This directly affects the University of Maryland Medical System Corporation and Prince George's County, which must provide matching funds totaling $208 million for capital construction. The funding is specifically designated to maintain the medical center's financial viability, improve healthcare access, and prevent operating losses. The change removes the fixed end date, making the funding permanent unless future legislation alters it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals 2028 termination date for $10M annual state funding, ensuring continued budget allocation for medical center operations and transition.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals 2028 termination date for $10M annual state funding to support medical center operations and transition, directly advancing healthcare funding for a public medical institution.95% confidence

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 468: Local Government - Grant for Recipients of State Child Tax Credit - Authorization

SB 468 authorizes Maryland counties to create their own local child tax credits against county income tax for qualifying families. It allows counties to provide credits for each "qualified child" (defined as a dependent under age 6, or under 17 with a disability) to households with federal adjusted gross income below $15,000. The credit amount is set by the county, but must follow income phaseout rules ($50 reduction per $1,000 of income over $15,000) and requires county notification to the Comptroller. This bill does not create a state-level credit but gives counties the option to implement this local tax benefit for low-income families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local child tax credits for low-income families (under $15k AGI), providing direct tax relief to qualifying households, aligning with tax relief indicators for lower income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits