Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 1127: Washington County - Homestead Property Tax Credit - Eligible Properties

HB 1127 expands Maryland's homestead property tax credit to include "Washington County Additional Residences." This means homeowners in Washington County who own a second home (like a vacation house or additional residence) in the county can now qualify for the credit, which previously only applied to primary residences. The bill defines a "Washington County Additional Residence" as a house and its lot in Washington County, including condominium units or cooperative apartments occupied by the owner. This change modifies specific sections of Maryland's property tax code to add these properties to the list of eligible residences for the credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands homestead property tax credit to second homes, providing tax relief and reducing tax burden for qualifying homeowners in Washington County.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1321: Child Care Scholarship Program - Application Process and Copays - Alterations

HB 1321 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program to protect certain low-income families from enrollment freezes. It prohibits enrollment freezes from applying to families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, TANF, children on Social Security Income, or homeless children - ensuring these groups maintain access. If a freeze occurs, the State Department of Education must create a waitlist prioritizing these protected individuals. The bill also limits copay increases for specific participants and requires the Department to identify applicants eligible for free prekindergarten.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prevents enrollment freezes for vulnerable families, ensuring continued state funding for child care scholarships (no defunding or cuts to essential program).85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects low-income families' access to child care scholarships, ensuring educational stability for vulnerable students by preventing enrollment freezes for TANF, homeless, and SSI recipients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1039: Education – Primary and Secondary Schools – Alternative School Options (Right to Learn Act)

HB 1039 requires county school boards to notify parents of students attending schools labeled "failing" (those with a 1-star rating for three consecutive years) annually by January 1, providing a list of alternative options. Students must choose by April 1 to stay at their current school or transfer to a non-failing public school, nonpublic school, or military boarding school. The bill creates a "Right to Learn" scholarship program funded by counties to cover nonpublic school costs for students in failing schools, and mandates school systems to pay for military boarding school enrollment for students with disciplinary issues. Failing schools remain designated until they earn two stars for two consecutive years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates county funding for scholarship program, directing local budget allocations toward education alternatives per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship program to expand educational access for students in failing schools by covering nonpublic school costs, directly advancing access options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1343: Internet Gaming - Authorization and Implementation

HB 1343 would authorize Maryland to offer licensed online gambling by allowing the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses to qualified operators. It requires licensees to verify users' age and location before permitting play and establishes a fund to support displaced video lottery employees. Crucially, the bill changes how internet gaming revenue funds public schools: starting in fiscal year 2028, counties must directly allocate gaming proceeds to school budgets instead of counting them toward existing education funding calculations. This affects online gambling companies, state regulators, county governments, and public school systems across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly allocates internet gaming revenue to public school budgets starting 2028, increasing state education funding through new revenue streams.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects internet gaming revenue to direct school funding, increasing education budget allocations starting 2028.95% confidence

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 767: Property Tax - Credit for Commercial Buildings Rented to Small Businesses

SB 767 would allow Baltimore City and Maryland counties or municipalities to create a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented at fair market value to small businesses located in two specific zones: Arts and Entertainment Districts (under Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Economic Development Article) or designated Main Street Maryland communities. Local governments would set the credit amount, duration, eligibility rules, and application process through their own ordinances. The credit applies to property taxes on qualifying buildings and takes effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026. This bill directly affects small businesses renting commercial space in these designated areas and the local governments managing property tax policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax credit for small businesses in designated zones, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle-income entities through local government ordinances.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives Tags Small Business

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 877: Baltimore City - Stop Sign Monitoring Systems Pilot Program - 41st Legislative District

SB 877 authorizes Baltimore City to pilot stop sign monitoring systems (cameras that capture violations) in the Mt. Washington neighborhood school zones, specifically within the 41st legislative district. It requires that 50% of fines collected from violations caught by these systems be directed to Baltimore City's local management board for youth programming and services exclusively for youth living in or attending schools within the 41st district. The bill also aligns Baltimore City's rules with existing Maryland law for similar programs in Prince George’s County and Takoma Park. This pilot program is limited to specific school zones and mandates dedicated funding for local youth services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly allocates 50% of traffic fine revenue to youth programming services in the 41st district, funding essential community programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill implements stop sign monitoring cameras in school zones to enhance traffic safety, directly aligning with transportation safety initiatives per bill summary.92% confidence

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1422: State Procurement and Personnel - Liquidated Damages Documentation Requirements and State Fiscal Leadership Capacity

HB 1422 requires Maryland state agencies receiving at least $2 billion annually in state and federal funds to appoint chief financial officers (CFOs) meeting specific qualifications, such as being a certified public accountant with five years of fiscal management experience or holding a relevant master's degree with three years of experience. These CFOs must submit detailed annual financial reports to the Office of the Comptroller, including certification of accuracy and documentation linking federal funds to specific programs. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Budget to grant pay plan exemptions to help recruit qualified CFOs and mandates agencies to provide documentation if they choose not to pursue liquidated damages from contract breaches. This legislation applies to Executive Branch units meeting the funding threshold and aims to standardize financial oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates qualified CFOs and detailed financial reporting for agencies managing large budgets, promoting fiscal accountability and oversight per topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Procurement

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1280: Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study

HB 1280 directs Maryland's Comptroller to study whether a program providing monthly payments to caregivers for specific family members would be feasible. The study must examine economic impacts like potential job growth, increased tax revenue, and reduced public benefits use, while assessing costs and funding options. It requires collaboration with the Department of Human Services and agencies like the Department of Aging, with a final report due by July 1, 2027. The bill expires June 30, 2028, and does not create the program itself.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill studies potential tax revenue increases and reduced public benefits use, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators for budget/taxes.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFeasibility study for caregiver payments aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure access through potential program implementation, aligning with support indicators like improved patient access and caregiver support.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill studies caregiver payments program to assess economic benefits including job growth and reduced public benefits, aligning with expanding worker benefits in labor policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 959: Natural Resources - Establishment of Gwynns Falls State Park

HB 959 establishes Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership between Maryland's Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City. The bill prohibits entrance fees, specifies the park's boundaries, and requires the Department to hire an independent consultant to create a master plan for the park. It mandates that $4 million in fiscal year 2028 be allocated specifically for renovating a joint partnership office and visitor center in the park. This bill directly affects Baltimore City residents and park visitors by creating a fee-free, locally managed park with defined operational requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $4M fiscal year 2028 allocation for park infrastructure renovation, directly funding public infrastructure within state budget framework95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes protected park, allocates $4M for renovation, mandates conservation planning - directly advances environmental conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 924: Department of Social and Economic Mobility - Maryland Chamber of Commerce Grant Program - Established (Business Networks Access Act)

SB 924 establishes the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Grant Program within the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The program provides grants to chambers of commerce for two key purposes: subsidizing membership fees for underrepresented individuals (covering one year of lowest-tier membership at no cost) and funding inter-chamber events (like networking activities, covering venue, promotion, and staff costs). To qualify, chambers must demonstrate programming support for new members, maintain annual funding for a full-time position, and submit annual reports on membership awards and participant feedback. The bill mandates a $100,000 annual state appropriation for the program, effective October 1, 2026, and requires detailed application requirements for both grant types.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state grants for chambers of commerce to subsidize memberships and events, increasing government spending on economic mobility programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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