Budget & Taxes (Property Tax)

HB 1595 allows Maryland counties (and Baltimore City) to create a special tax category for qualified data centers. It authorizes local governments to set a distinct personal property tax rate for data centers meeting specific investment and job creation requirements - $2 million in Tier I areas or $5 million elsewhere, plus at least five new jobs. The bill amends tax code to define "qualified data center" and establishes the mechanism for counties to implement this special rate through local law. This directly affects data centers meeting the criteria and county tax systems, changing how these facilities are taxed under personal property rules. The special rate applies to all qualifying data center personal property, not real estate.

HB 1273 (Maryland Homeowner Protection and Homestead Tax Credit Portability Act of 2026) modifies Maryland's homestead tax credit system by reducing the maximum credit percentage from 110% to 105% for state and bicounty property taxes. It creates a new "homestead credit portability" feature allowing homeowners who move to a new residence to carry forward a portion of their previous home's tax credit. The portability adjustment calculates a credit based on the difference in taxable assessments between the previous and new dwelling, capped at $500,000 of the new property's assessment. This bill directly affects homeowners who relocate within Maryland and change their primary residence.

HB 1546 modifies Baltimore County's homestead property tax credit to provide a 100% credit rate for homeowners aged 65 or older, instead of the standard 110% rate applied elsewhere in Maryland. This change directly affects Baltimore County residents who are 65+ and submit applications for the tax credit, requiring them to check a box confirming their age in the application process. The bill updates the calculation method under Maryland law to set this specific 100% rate for eligible seniors in Baltimore County for State, county, and municipal property taxes. The policy takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

HB 603 requires Baltimore County to set its homestead property tax credit percentage at a fixed 100% for all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026. This directly affects Baltimore County homeowners who qualify for the homestead property tax credit, which reduces their property tax bill by applying the credit percentage to their taxable assessment. Previously, Baltimore County could choose a credit percentage between 100% and 110% or use the prior year's rate, but this bill eliminates that flexibility. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, for the 2026 tax year.

SB 30 would authorize Baltimore County's governing body to grant a 100% property tax credit against county taxes for real property owned by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34 at 730 Wampler Road, Middle River. This credit would eliminate the full county property tax liability for that specific property. The bill applies only to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026, and takes effect June 1, 2026. It directly affects Baltimore County (through its tax policy) and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34 (as the beneficiary of the credit).