Budget & Taxes (Revenue)

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1224: Property Taxes - Special Rate for Vacant and Abandoned Property - Charter County Tax Limitation PG 408-26

HB 1224 allows charter counties in Maryland (like Prince George's County) to impose a higher property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties that exceed their usual tax rate limits under county charters. The bill authorizes counties to collect additional tax revenue from these properties and direct it into the county’s general fund, bypassing standard charter restrictions. Counties must annually report details including the number of affected properties, revenue changes, and whether properties are being prepared for reuse. This policy directly affects property owners of vacant lots or uninhabitable buildings cited for housing violations, aiming to generate revenue for county services without requiring charter amendments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows counties to collect higher taxes on vacant properties, increasing general fund revenue for local budgets and bypassing charter restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 732: Cannabis - Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund - Distribution and Use of Funds for Baltimore City

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund community programs in Baltimore City, supporting public services through fiscal management of tax proceeds.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly funds community programs in areas impacted by historical cannabis enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and addressing systemic inequities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates cannabis tax funds for housing assistance as a direct use within community programs for areas impacted by cannabis enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 506: Economic Development - Transformational Project Financing Program - Establishment

HB 506 establishes the Transformational Project Financing Program under Maryland's Economic Development Corporation. It allows local governments (political subdivisions) to apply for designation of specific areas as "State-supported development districts" to fund major development projects. The key mechanism redirects property tax revenue from increased property values ("tax increment") within these districts into a dedicated fund, rather than the general municipal budget, for approved projects. Priority areas include sustainable communities, transit-oriented developments, and designated enterprise zones. This program modifies existing law to create a structured process for economic development financing through tax increment funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects tax increment revenue into dedicated project funds, promoting fiscal management for economic development without impacting general budgets.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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

HB 609: State Transfer Tax - Land Preservation Special Fund - Revenue Allocation

HB 609 repeals a requirement that $25 million of State Transfer Tax revenue be allocated to the General Fund for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. Instead, the bill redirects this funding to remain in the Land Preservation Special Fund, increasing resources for conservation programs. The fund's revenue is allocated as follows: 75.15% for Program Open Space land acquisition, 17.05% for Agricultural Land Preservation, 5% for Rural Legacy, and 1.8% for Heritage Conservation. This change directly affects state land conservation efforts by ensuring more funds stay dedicated to these programs during the specified years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $25M in tax revenue from General Fund to Land Preservation Special Fund, specifically funding conservation programs per allocated percentages.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects $25M from General Fund to Land Preservation Special Fund, increasing funding for conservation programs (75.15% for land acquisition, 17.05% for agricultural preservation).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Conservation Public Lands

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 455: Economic Development - Transformational Project Financing Program - Establishment

SB 455 establishes the Transformational Project Financing Program to help local governments fund large-scale development projects in designated areas. It allows counties or cities to apply to the Maryland Economic Development Corporation for "State-supported development district" status, requiring them to redirect property tax increases (tax increment) from these areas into a special fund instead of the general budget. This fund finances projects in priority areas like sustainable communities, transit-oriented developments, and designated enterprise zones. The bill creates new rules for calculating state revenue contributions and managing bond proceeds specifically for these designated districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects property tax increments to a special fund for development projects, promoting targeted fiscal management and strategic spending on priority areas.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax increment fund for development projects in sustainable communities, directly supporting housing development priorities without restricting tenant rights or affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Incentives Housing Finance Property Development Property Taxes Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 151: Sales and Use Tax - Distribution of Cannabis Sales Tax Revenue - Maryland Veterans Trust Fund

HB 151 requires that 3% of sales and use tax revenue from cannabis sales in Maryland be distributed quarterly to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. This fund directly supports veterans, their families, and Maryland National Guard members through grants, loans, and programs. The bill amends tax distribution rules to prioritize this allocation after funding cannabis administration costs, social equity programs, community reinvestment, and public health funds. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, with no other specified impacts on policy or program structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 3% cannabis sales tax revenue to veterans fund, directly funding essential programs via tax distribution rules.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates 3% of cannabis tax revenue to Maryland Veterans Trust Fund for grants, loans, and programs supporting veterans and their families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 217: Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund - Alterations

SB 217 amends Maryland’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund to clarify its administration and distribution. It requires the Comptroller to manage the Fund under the Office of Social Equity’s direction, mandates counties to consult with community stakeholders and hold public hearings when adjusting fund distribution plans, and updates reporting requirements. The Fund, funded by cannabis tax revenue, directly serves communities disproportionately impacted by pre-2022 cannabis enforcement, directing funds to community-based organizations for programs like behavioral health services, job training, housing, and education initiatives. It prohibits using funds for law enforcement or replacing existing local government programs, while ensuring compliance through the Office of Social Equity. These changes refine how counties allocate funds to address historical inequities tied to cannabis criminalization, as outlined in Section 1-3A-03 of the Maryland Code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds community reinvestment using cannabis tax revenue, directing existing tax funds to targeted communities impacted by past enforcement.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directs cannabis tax revenue to communities disproportionately impacted by pre-2022 cannabis enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing historical inequities through targeted reinvestment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 594: Sales and Use Tax - Distribution - City of Baltimore

HB 594 changes Maryland's sales tax distribution by requiring the state to pay one-third of sales tax revenue collected from retail sales within Baltimore City directly to the city government, instead of sending it to the state general fund. Previously, this revenue flowed to the state, but the bill redirects it to Baltimore for local use. The bill also adjusts the percentage of remaining sales tax revenue sent to Maryland's education fund (starting at 9.2% in 2023 and rising to 12.1% by 2027), with the rest going to the state general fund. This directly affects Baltimore City by increasing its local revenue from in-city retail sales, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects sales tax revenue to Baltimore City and increases education fund allocation, directly funding local services and public programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 23, 2026

HB 468: Health and Taxation - Digital Social Media Services and the Mental Health Care Fund for Children and Youth

HB 468 establishes a new "Mental Health Care Fund for Children and Youth" in Maryland, funded by a tax on digital social media companies' annual revenues within the state. The bill imposes a tax on qualifying digital social media services (e.g., platforms generating revenue from Maryland users) and directs all collected revenue into this dedicated, non-lapsing fund. The fund must be used exclusively to improve access to mental health care services for children and youth, supplementing existing state funding without replacing it. The Comptroller will distribute the tax revenue to the fund, which the Secretary will administer per the new provisions in the Health and Tax codes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on digital social media companies to fund mental health care for children, directly allocating revenue to a public service.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates dedicated fund from social media tax to improve children's mental health care access, directly funding a healthcare service area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Mental Health

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 58: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

SB 58 allows Baltimore City or Maryland counties to offer property tax credits to owners who convert former gas stations into retail, residential, or mixed-use properties. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up soil or water contamination from those tanks. Local governments can set the credit amount and duration, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost property tax revenue. This directly affects property owners and developers planning to redevelop former gas station sites into other commercial or housing uses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows property tax credits for cleanup with 50% state reimbursement, supporting fiscal management through targeted tax relief without net budget loss.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly funds cleanup of soil/water contamination from gas station tanks, advancing pollution remediation and environmental protection.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes residential redevelopment of underutilized gas stations via property tax credits, removing cleanup cost barriers to increase housing supply and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Credits Water Quality Property Taxes