Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 388: Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act

SB 388, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and adjust eligibility for tax incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the Strategic Closing Fund within the Department of Commerce, alters how video lottery proceeds are distributed, and modifies rules for several tax credits - including Job Creation, Research and Development, and film production credits - to expand access for businesses and investors. Key changes include allowing pass-through entities to allocate biotechnology tax credits differently, enabling film producers to amend credit applications, and extending the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill directly affects businesses seeking economic development tax credits and state agencies managing these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands business tax credits (Job Creation, R&D, film) via restructured incentives, advancing economic development funding mechanisms without defunding or restricting.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 24, 2026

HB 369: Prince George's County - Property Tax Credit - New Businesses PG 407-26

HB 369 authorizes Prince George's County to offer a property tax credit to new businesses that create 10 or more full-time jobs in industries targeted for growth by the county's economic development agency. The credit applies to property owned or leased by qualifying businesses and cannot exceed 10 years. County officials would determine the credit amount, duration, and additional eligibility rules through local law. The credit becomes effective for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes property tax credit for new businesses, reducing tax burden and supporting economic development through targeted tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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

HB 484: Corporate Income Tax - Addition Modification - Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

HB 484 modifies Maryland's corporate income tax code to disallow deductions for certain direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising expenses that are deductible under federal law. It specifically targets expenses paid by "covered entities" (pharmaceutical sponsors or companies owning drug outsourcing facilities) for advertising "covered drugs" (prescription drugs under federal law) to the general public via media like TV, radio, social media, or digital platforms. The bill requires these expenses - already deducted federally - to be added back to Maryland taxable income, effectively eliminating the state tax deduction for such advertising. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and directly affects pharmaceutical companies engaging in DTC advertising for covered drugs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole by disallowing corporate deductions for pharmaceutical advertising, increasing tax revenue per fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 250: Environment - Appropriation or Use of Water and Dam Safety - Enforcement

HB 250 authorizes Maryland's Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for violations of water appropriation, dam safety, and wetlands rules. It directly affects businesses, developers, and dam operators who breach these regulations. Key provisions include setting penalties up to $5,000 per violation (capped at $100,000 total), requiring consideration of factors like environmental harm and willfulness, and mandating that collected penalties fund the Maryland Clean Water Fund (except for dam safety cases, which go to a repair fund). The bill also streamlines enforcement by allowing the Department to issue immediate corrective orders and hold expedited hearings for urgent threats.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates penalties fund Maryland Clean Water Fund, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator for support stance.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes penalties for water/wetlands violations, funds clean water initiatives, strengthens enforcement of environmental regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Water Quality

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 374: Transportation - Rental Cars - Excise Tax Exemption

SB 374 exempts rental vehicles from Maryland's vehicle excise tax, directly affecting rental car companies operating in the state. The bill adds a new exemption category (Section 13-810(a)(26)) to the existing list, removing rental vehicles from the tax base that previously applied a 3.5% rate under Section 13-809(c)(1)(ii). This change eliminates the excise tax obligation for rental car companies on vehicles they lease to customers. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter other tax rates or provisions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts rental cars from excise tax, reducing state revenue and weakening tax base for fiscal management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 312: Constitutional Officers - Salaries

SB 312 increases annual salaries for Maryland's four constitutional officers: the Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. The bill raises their base salaries by $10,000-$15,000 starting in 2027, with step increases over each term (e.g., Comptroller's first-year salary rises from $165,000 to $175,000). These changes apply to terms beginning after October 1, 2026, and do not affect current officeholders serving terms that started before this date. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland law to implement these salary adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state budget allocation for constitutional officers' salaries, directly impacting government spending and fiscal management.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 680: Children's Cabinet Fund - Renaming and Funding for Grants to Local Management Boards

HB 680 renames Maryland's "Children's Cabinet Fund" to the "Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund" and mandates specific annual funding increases for grants to local management boards. Starting in fiscal year 2028, the Governor must appropriate $3 million above the 2027 level, with $2 million increases each subsequent year through 2031. These funds support local boards in implementing coordinated services for children and families, including youth development, prevention, crisis intervention, and reducing out-of-home placements. The bill directly affects local management boards that coordinate child welfare services, requiring them to align with state and local plans when applying for these grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual funding increases ($3M+ starting 2028) for children's services grants, directly expanding state budget allocations for public programs.95% confidence

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 500: Sales and Use Tax - Precious Metal Bullion or Coins - Exemption

HB 500 removes two requirements that previously limited the sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion and coins. Specifically, it eliminates the $1,000 minimum sale price and the requirement that sales must occur at the Baltimore Convention Center. The bill expands the exemption to cover all qualifying precious metal bullion (refined metal where value depends on metal content) and historically used coins, while still excluding jewelry and art. This change directly affects buyers and sellers of these items by making the exemption available for more transactions without location or price restrictions. The exemption will apply to all qualifying sales starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands sales tax exemption for precious metals, providing tax relief for qualifying buyers/sellers, directly affecting tax policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 424: State Transfer Tax - Land Preservation Special Fund - Revenue Allocation

SB 424 repeals a requirement that specific amounts from Maryland's Land Preservation Special Fund must be allocated to the General Fund for certain fiscal years (2002-2005). The bill modifies how remaining fund balances are distributed, shifting allocations away from mandatory General Fund transfers toward land preservation programs. Key provisions direct 75.15% to Program Open Space land acquisition, 17.05% to the Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, 5% to the Rural Legacy Program, and 1.8% to the Heritage Conservation Fund. This change affects state funding for conservation efforts and land preservation initiatives managed under Maryland's Natural Resources Article.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 75.15% of fund balances to land preservation programs instead of mandatory General Fund transfers, advancing specific environmental funding priorities within budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects 75.15% to land acquisition, 17.05% to agricultural preservation, and 5% to rural legacy programs - directly funding conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Conservation

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 628: Human Services - Foster Care Transition Grant Program - Establishment

HB 628 establishes a program providing $1,000 monthly payments for three years to young adults who were in out-of-home care (like foster care) on their 18th birthday, with birthdays on or after October 1, 2026. Payments cannot be counted as income for Medicaid, the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit, or state/federal financial aid for education. The Department of Human Services must report annually on participants' income, location, employment, and housing status starting October 2027. The program will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, with automatic termination after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded program ($1,000/month for 3 years) for foster youth, increasing government spending on social services. Payments excluded from income for tax credits, supporting fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents basic income from affecting Medicaid eligibility, maintaining healthcare coverage access for foster youth transitioning to adulthood.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care Medicaid

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