Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 706: State Finance - Delinquent Federal Funds (Federal Obligations Enforcement Act)

HB 706 (Federal Obligations Enforcement Act) authorizes Maryland's Central Collection Unit to collect delinquent federal funds owed to the state, directly affecting the state government and the federal government. Key provisions allow the Unit to place liens on federal property within Maryland, withhold state payments to the federal government, and refer delinquent funds for enforcement. The bill establishes that the Board of Public Works can determine federal delinquency when the government fails to comply with court decisions on spending. It modifies existing Maryland law to reserve state jurisdiction over federal land and creates specific procedures for collecting funds. The law focuses on concrete enforcement mechanisms for unpaid federal obligations to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables state to collect owed federal funds, strengthening state budget through enforcement of delinquent payments and fiscal accountability.95% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 307: Public Schools - Restocking Menstrual Hygiene Products - Requirement

SB 307 requires Maryland county school boards to provide free tampons and pads in women’s restrooms at all public schools. Schools must install dispensers in at least two women’s restrooms by October 2022 (for middle/high schools) and all women’s restrooms by August 2025, with elementary schools needing at least one dispenser by October 2022. Boards must regularly restock products and can seek reimbursement from the state for installation costs, using a $500,000 fiscal year 2023 appropriation. This bill directly affects public school districts and students in Maryland’s public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses $500,000 fiscal year 2023 appropriation for school reimbursement, directly funding public service implementation through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free menstrual products in school restrooms, improving student access to basic hygiene and supporting educational access for female students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires free menstrual products in schools, improving access to essential health services for students, aligning with public health initiatives and patient access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Student Health

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 320: Anne Arundel County - Property Tax Credit - Rural Legacy Program

HB 320 creates a property tax credit for Anne Arundel County landowners who sell development rights under the Rural Legacy Program. It allows the county to grant a credit against the county property tax for real property located in a designated Rural Legacy Area (as defined in Maryland’s Natural Resources Article) where the owner has sold development rights. This directly affects rural landowners participating in the Rural Legacy Program who choose to restrict future development on their land. The credit replaces an existing provision and becomes effective for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit for rural landowners, reducing their tax burden under the Rural Legacy Program, directly providing tax relief.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes land conservation via tax credits for selling development rights under Rural Legacy Program, directly preserving natural resources and open space per Maryland's Natural Resources Article.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

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

HB 291: Sports Wagering Proceeds - Promotional Play Exclusion - Limitation

HB 291 modifies how sports wagering proceeds are calculated in Maryland by limiting how much free promotional play (like free bets or credits) sports wagering licensees can exclude from their taxable proceeds. It requires the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to set a percentage limit, based on the licensee’s prior year’s retained proceeds, after the first full fiscal year of operations. This means licensees can no longer fully exclude all promotional value from their reported proceeds, instead subjecting a portion to state revenue calculations. The change directly affects sports betting operators and ensures more revenue is captured for state funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state tax revenue by limiting exclusion of promotional play from taxable sports wagering proceeds, strengthening fiscal management and closing a tax loophole.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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

HB 307: Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund - Alterations

HB 307 modifies the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund by directing the Comptroller to administer the Fund under the Office of Social Equity’s guidance instead of previous oversight. It requires counties to consult with the Office when adjusting their fund distribution plans and clarifies that county expenditures from the Fund must be supplemental (not replacing) existing local programs. The bill also updates reporting requirements and reaffirms that Fund money cannot fund law enforcement or supplant other public services. These changes aim to align Fund administration with social equity goals while maintaining its focus on community-based initiatives like housing, job training, and behavioral health services in historically impacted areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires supplemental fund spending (not replacing existing programs), ensuring responsible budget use and protecting current services without defunding.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits fund use for law enforcement, redirects to community programs via Office of Social Equity, mandates supplemental spending to avoid replacing existing services - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirects Community Reinvestment Fund under Social Equity with supplemental funding for housing repairs, preventing replacement of existing housing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Law Enforcement Community Development

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 425: State Archives - Record Services - Fees

SB 425 authorizes Maryland's State Archives to establish fees for record services through regulation, directly affecting the public, property owners, and state agencies seeking copies or certifications of records. Key provisions include allowing fees up to 2% of existing record fees or flat subscription rates, requiring 7% of collected fees to fund an Archives Endowment Account, and capping public charges for plat reproductions at $3. The bill also clarifies fee structures for vital records, land records, and electronic plat postings on the Archives website. These changes update existing Maryland law to modernize fee collection while ensuring costs are recovered for services provided.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes fee structures for record services and allocates 7% of fees to Archives Endowment, promoting fiscal management through structured revenue collection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 98: Inheritance Tax - Beneficiaries of Limited Means - Installment Payments

HB 98 would allow Maryland residents with low incomes to pay inheritance tax in installments instead of a single lump sum. It specifically applies to people who inherit a home they live in or a farm they continue to operate (as defined by the bill), but only if paying the full tax would force them to sell that property. The county official who handles wills must approve this payment plan if requested by the beneficiary. The law would take effect for deaths occurring on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides inheritance tax relief for low-income beneficiaries by allowing installment payments, preventing forced property sales due to tax burden.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents forced sale of inherited homes due to tax burden, protecting low-income homeownership stability90% confidence

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 282: Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

This is a procedural budget bill (SB 282) that allocates $859 million in state funds for Maryland's fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directly funds state agencies including the judiciary (courts, public defender office, and legal services), legislative operations, and administrative offices. The total includes $771 million in general fund appropriations, $86 million in special fund appropriations, and $1.4 million in federal funds. This bill establishes the baseline funding for state operations but does not create new policies or affect citizens directly.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $859M for state agencies including judiciary and legislative operations, directly funding government spending and fiscal management per budget bill language.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds judiciary (courts, public defender office) and legal services, core criminal justice components per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SJ 2: Judicial Compensation Commission - Recommendations

This Senate Joint Resolution adopts the Judicial Compensation Commission's recommended salary increases for Maryland judges, effective July 1, 2026, through 2030. It specifies exact annual salary amounts for all judicial positions, including increases for Supreme Court Justices, Appellate Court judges, Circuit Court judges, and District Court judges (e.g., Chief Justice from $255,433 to $261,333 in 2026). The resolution also provides a $7,500 annual stipend for administrative judges in the Appellate Court and circuit/District Courts. These changes directly affect all sitting judges in Maryland's court system and require the General Assembly to adopt the recommendations to implement the new salaries.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state budget allocation for judicial salaries, funding essential government operations through mandated salary raises and stipends.95% confidence

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

HB 455: Education - Certification of Scholarship Granting Organizations (Opting in on Opportunity Act)

HB 455 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to certify nonprofit organizations meeting specific criteria as scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). It mandates the Department to annually submit a list of certified SGOs to the U.S. Treasury starting in 2027 and requires the Comptroller to provide online guidance for taxpayers claiming federal tax credits for donations to SGOs. The bill directly affects nonprofit SGOs seeking certification, eligible students receiving scholarships, and Maryland taxpayers claiming federal tax credits. Key provisions include standardized application processes for SGOs, annual financial reporting requirements, and public reporting of scholarship data like recipient schools and award amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credit guidance for donations to SGOs, enabling federal tax relief for donors and aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables tax-credit-funded scholarships for students, expanding educational access through private funding mechanisms without restricting public education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability School Choice Student Financial Aid

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