Budget & Taxes (Fees & Licensing)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 896: Vehicle Laws - Registration Fees - Alterations

SB 896 updates Maryland's vehicle registration fee structure for multiple vehicle classes, directly affecting all vehicle owners in the state. It increases annual fees for passenger cars (e.g., from $50.50 to $80.50 for lighter vehicles after July 2025), for-hire vehicles (e.g., rideshares from $150 to $180), ambulances/funeral vehicles (from $100 to $130), and motorcycles (from $35 to $65). Truck fees are revised based on gross weight, with a new $63.75 base fee for smaller trucks under 7,000 lbs and updated rates for construction vehicles. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, as specified in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases vehicle registration fees across multiple classes, directly raising state tax revenue and advancing tax policy implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 674: Transportation - Regional Transportation Authorities

SB 674 creates three new regional transportation authorities for the Baltimore, Capital, and Southern Maryland regions. It imposes new sales, hotel, and transfer tax surcharges to fund these authorities, directing 70% of the revenue from these surcharges to dedicated regional transportation funds. These funds are designated as nonlapsing (permanent) and require interest earnings to be added back to the funds. The bill also establishes specific allocation rules, such as sending 30% of Baltimore region surcharge revenue to local counties and municipalities based on their sales activity. The legislation amends Maryland tax and transportation codes to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new sales/hotel/transfer tax surcharges to fund regional transportation authorities with nonlapsing dedicated funds.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates regional transportation authorities with new taxes and dedicated permanent funds for infrastructure projects, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding and governance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax Transportation Funding

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

HB 1193: Department of Natural Resources - Savage Highlands State Park - Hotel Rental Surcharge

HB 1193 requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to collect an 8% surcharge on hotel rentals at Savage Highlands State Park. The revenue from this surcharge will be sent to the Comptroller for distribution to Garrett County. Specifically, 6% of the surcharge funds must be used by Garrett County for promoting the county, while the remaining 2% is directed to the county’s general fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects park renters and Garrett County’s budget allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes 8% hotel surcharge to fund Garrett County promotion (6%) and general fund (2%), directly generating tax revenue for local budget allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Fees & Licensing State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 945: Admissions and Amusement Tax and Sales and Use Tax - University of Maryland, College Park Athletic Competitions and Game Day Surcharge

SB 945 imposes a 3% admissions tax on tickets for University of Maryland, College Park athletic events and a game-day surcharge on food, alcohol, and accommodations sold near the stadium on event days. The revenue from both taxes will fund a new University of Maryland Athletic Department Support Fund, a dedicated account that cannot expire and will provide ongoing financial support for the university's athletic programs. This bill amends Maryland's tax code to create these specific taxes and redirect the revenue to the fund, replacing prior tax distribution rules for similar revenue streams. The bill does not affect general public sales or taxes outside these targeted events and locations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new 3% admissions tax and surcharge to fund dedicated athletic department budget, directly increasing state tax revenue allocation for specific programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 209: Department of Natural Resources - Savage Highlands State Park - Hotel Rental Surcharge

SB 209 requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to collect a hotel rental surcharge on units at Savage Highlands State Park. The proceeds will be split: 6% of the surcharge funds will go to Garrett County for tourism promotion, and any amount above 6% will go to the county's general fund. This bill directly affects park renters (through the surcharge) and Garrett County (through the designated funding). The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new hotel surcharge tax with explicit allocation to tourism promotion (6%) and county general fund, advancing fiscal management and funding public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 278: State Department of Assessments and Taxation - Expedited Document Processing and Fees

SB 278 establishes new standard processing fees for business documents filed with Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation. It increases fees for key filings, such as $100 for Articles of Incorporation (up from $25) and $300 for annual reports for most corporations. The bill also requires the Department to process certain documents within specified timeframes. It directly affects businesses filing corporate formations, name reservations, annual reports, and other routine documents in Maryland. The changes apply to standard processing, not expedited services as the title suggests.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state fees for business filings (e.g., $100 for Articles of Incorporation), generating additional revenue for department operations, directly supporting budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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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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