HB 984 establishes a mattress stewardship program requiring mattress producers to submit recycling plans to the Maryland Department of the Environment for approval. The bill prohibits landfill disposal and incineration of mattresses (with limited exceptions) starting on a future date, and mandates that producers add a fee to new mattresses to fund recycling. Retailers must provide consumers with information about the program after it launches. This affects mattress producers, retailers, and consumers through new fees and disposal rules, aiming to increase recycling and reduce landfill use.
HB 846 exempts property owned by the City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. from property tax when used primarily for public social, recreational, or entertainment purposes. It applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2023, requiring the State, Washington County, and the City to refund any excess property tax paid during that period. The bill modifies Maryland’s property tax code (specifically Sections 7-251 and 7-524) to establish this exemption and refund process. This directly affects the City of Hagerstown and the sports facility organization by reducing their future property tax burden and securing refunds for prior overpayments.
HB 1342 creates a new Maryland Controlled-Environment and Hydroponic Agriculture Program Fund to provide grants for farmers establishing or expanding indoor or water-based farming facilities. It requires the Department of Agriculture to create a centralized online portal with permitting and licensing information for these farms, and mandates local governments to adopt zoning rules allowing such agriculture in urban areas. The bill also sets procurement targets for state agencies to buy food from certified local farms using these methods and permanently increases funding for the existing Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Fund. These changes directly affect hydroponic and controlled-environment farmers, community colleges offering workforce training, and local zoning authorities.
HB 880 modifies Maryland's income tax code to decouple from recent federal changes affecting depreciation deductions and business interest expenses. It directly affects Maryland taxpayers (individuals and businesses) who claim these deductions by requiring them to use pre-2003 depreciation rules and pre-July 2025 interest deduction rules instead of current federal allowances. Key provisions include excluding certain federal adjustments to §179 depreciation limits, applying older rules to heavy-duty SUVs, and exempting manufacturing entities from these changes if property was placed in service after 2018. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, ensuring Maryland tax calculations differ from federal updates on these specific deductions.
HB 783 requires Washington County and its municipalities to grant a 100% property tax credit against county and municipal taxes for real property owned by Platoon 22, Incorporated, provided the property is used to provide housing for veterans. The bill directly affects Platoon 22, a nonprofit organization, by eliminating property tax liability on qualifying housing properties. Key provisions mandate this tax credit be implemented through local law, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026. This is a targeted tax exemption for a specific organization’s veteran housing operations, not a broad policy change.
SB 884 would authorize Maryland’s State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses for regulated internet skill-based gaming operations (not traditional poker). It creates a new regulatory framework under "Subtitle 1F" defining key terms, requiring licenses for operators, and directing proceeds to existing state funds like the Economic Development Account and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. The bill specifies that licensees must operate in "economically disadvantaged areas" meeting specific income, unemployment, or poverty criteria. This legislation directly affects the Commission, qualified gaming operators, and state funds receiving new revenue streams.
HB 1409 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct studies measuring problem and pathological gambling rates for both in-person and mobile gambling, with the mobile gambling study due by July 2031. The bill redirects 1% of proceeds from fantasy sports competitions and 1% of sports wagering revenue to the Problem Gambling Fund, altering prior distribution rules that directed most funds to education. These funds will support treatment and prevention services for problem gamblers, including inpatient care, outpatient services, and educational programs. The legislation amends Maryland law to mandate these studies and fund allocations, directly affecting the Department of Health and the Problem Gambling Fund.
HB 791 imposes a two-year moratorium (2026-2028) on increases to the assessed value of residential properties in Baltimore County, directly affecting homeowners whose property taxes are based on these assessments. The bill allows increases only under specific exceptions, such as major renovations adding $100,000+ in value, zoning changes, or corrections of calculation errors. It also requires Maryland’s State Department of Assessments and Taxation to hire an independent third party by December 1, 2027, to review and recommend improvements to residential property assessment practices. The department must then report its findings and planned actions to the Governor and legislature.
SB 599 establishes two grant programs to reduce wasted food and promote organics recycling. The On-Farm Organics Diversion Grant Program (starting July 2028) provides funding for farmers, urban agricultural producers, nonprofits, and businesses to develop composting, food rescue, and wasted food prevention projects on farms. The Wasted Food Reduction Grant Program (under the Environment Department) funds infrastructure, education, and community projects statewide to redirect edible food, recover waste for animal feed, and create compost. Eligible projects must reduce food waste, support community needs, prioritize underserved areas, and create jobs with fair wages. The bill specifically prioritizes projects that minimize contamination in compost and meet U.S. composting standards.
HB 1115 clarifies that Maryland public school teachers holding a National Board Certification (NBC) with a 10-year award period (awarded by December 31, 2021) are eligible for specific salary increases tied to the career ladder. The bill establishes a $10,000 salary increase for becoming an NBC teacher and an additional $7,000 for teaching at a low-performing school, applying retroactively to eligible teachers. It also sets a minimum teacher salary of $60,000 starting July 1, 2026, and specifies that teachers meeting multiple criteria receive all applicable increases. This bill directly affects certified public school teachers in Maryland who hold qualifying NBC credentials.
