Budget & Taxes (Audits & Accountability)

SB 281 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual capital grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA, the Washington Suburban Transit District, and collective bargaining units, mandating WMATA to submit detailed safety, financial, and ridership reports annually. Key provisions include withholding funds if WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, fails to develop a rail signaling transition plan by July 2028, or terminates rail operators due to automation. The bill also requires the Governor to include specific appropriations for WMATA's capital costs and Metrorail subsidies in the state budget. This legislation is contingent on Virginia and D.C. enacting similar funding measures.

HB 607 increases the annual salaries for Maryland's four constitutional officers: the Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. The bill establishes new salary schedules with step increases after each anniversary of an officer's term, raising the first-year salary to $175,000-$185,000 (depending on the office) starting in 2027, with subsequent raises to $180,000-$185,000 in later years. These changes apply only to terms beginning on or after October 1, 2026, and do not affect current officeholders serving terms that started before this date. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland's Annotated Code to implement these salary adjustments.

HB 175 repeals the $300 annual limit on Maryland’s income tax credit for hunters donating processed antlerless deer meat to 501(c)(3) organizations, allowing individuals to claim up to $75 per deer processed for human consumption. It requires hunters to comply with state hunting laws and donate meat through eligible nonprofit programs, while mandating donation programs to report donor names and donation counts to the Comptroller annually. The bill directly affects hunters who process and donate antlerless deer meat to qualified nonprofits, removing a previous cap on the total credit amount. Key provisions include maintaining the $75 per deer limit, requiring donations to 501(c)(3) organizations, and adding reporting requirements for donation programs. This changes the policy by expanding access to the credit without increasing the per-deer benefit.

HB 129 requires nonprofits receiving at least 50% of their annual funding from specific public sources - including state/local grants, capital budgets, or local impact grants - to report funding amounts and usage to Maryland's Comptroller. This applies to IRS 501(c) exempt organizations operating in Maryland that meet the funding threshold. Nonprofits must submit these reports annually, and the Comptroller will summarize the data for the General Assembly by January 31 each year. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, aiming to standardize reporting on public funding for transparency.