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.
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.
SB 961 modifies Maryland's tax credit for hunters donating processed deer meat. It removes the previous $300 annual limit on the credit, allowing hunters to claim the full credit for eligible expenses without the cap. The bill maintains a $75 per deer processing expense limit and requires donations to go to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations. Hunters must still comply with hunting laws, and donation programs must report donor information to the Comptroller annually. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
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.
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.
SB 547 requires state and local government units, as well as businesses receiving state funding for goods or services, to report annual details about how funds are used. Specifically, it mandates that recipients disclose contractor/subcontractor information - including addresses, employee counts, work locations, and minority business certification status - on annual reports to the Comptroller and on business tax returns. The Comptroller must then compile this data into an annual report for the legislature, including metrics like the percentage of in-state vs. out-of-state contractors and minority business participation. This bill directly affects government entities, funded businesses, and their contractors, aiming to increase transparency in public spending. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 732 requires Maryland's Comptroller to direct funds from the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (funded by cannabis tax revenue and business fees) specifically to Baltimore City's Comptroller. The Baltimore City Comptroller must then establish a special fund to distribute these resources to community programs in areas disproportionately impacted by historical cannabis enforcement. Funds can support services like behavioral health care, job training, housing assistance, and after-school programs - but cannot fund law enforcement or replace existing city programs. The bill mandates these funds remain separate from general city revenue and are subject to audit, ensuring they directly benefit Baltimore communities most affected by past cannabis policies.
SB 858 establishes the Audit and Finance Compliance Unit within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management. The unit directly affects all Executive Branch state agencies by monitoring their progress in resolving audit findings from the Office of Legislative Audits. Key provisions require the unit to create a public dashboard on its website showing agency audit status (including resolution timelines and repeat findings), form a specialized team to assist agencies with four or more repeat audit issues, and report quarterly to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. The dashboard must launch by October 1, 2027, and track corrective actions for all agencies annually.
HB 1512 requires merchants to remit the difference when rounding cash transactions up to the nearest 5 cents to the State Comptroller. It directly affects merchants selling goods or services who round cash payments (e.g., rounding $1.99 to $2.00), excluding transactions where customers explicitly consent to rounding for donation purposes. The Comptroller must distribute all collected revenue to the State’s General Fund. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to cash transactions (not gift cards or other payment methods).
SB 859 sets new qualifications and reporting requirements for chief financial officers (CFOs) in Maryland state agencies receiving at least $2 billion annually in state and federal funding. It requires these CFOs to hold specific credentials - such as a CPA with 5 years of fiscal management experience, a relevant master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or 10 years of total experience - and mandates they submit detailed financial data to the Comptroller’s Office by year-end. The bill also allows the Secretary of Budget to grant pay plan exemptions to help recruit and retain qualified CFOs. These changes apply only to large executive branch units, not all state employees.
