Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 12: Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirement

SB 12 requires landlords to provide air-conditioning in most residential rental units during summer months (June 1-September 30) to maintain indoor temperatures at or below 80°F. It applies to apartment buildings with four or more units, excluding historic properties, buildings constructed between 1940-1950, and specific Baltimore public housing units. Landlords must ensure AC systems are functional for tenant-controlled units or maintain temperature limits for landlord-controlled systems. New constructions must comply starting June 1, 2026, while renovated units with major electrical or heating upgrades must comply starting October 1, 2026. The law does not affect buildings with permits issued before the law’s effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates functional AC systems in rentals during summer for tenant safety, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 168: Housing and Community Development - Affordable Housing - Educator Workforce Housing and Municipal Corporations

HB 168 allows Maryland school districts to use state housing funds for developing housing specifically for teachers and school staff (called "educator workforce housing"). It explicitly states that such housing qualifies as an eligible use of state financial assistance under housing programs and ensures teachers are recognized as a "specified group" for federal low-income housing tax credits. The bill modifies existing laws to clarify that school districts can repurpose unused school properties for this housing and that state housing agencies must inform applicants about this eligibility. This directly affects school districts seeking to address housing needs for educators and teachers applying for federal housing tax credits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables school districts to use state housing funds for teacher housing, directly supporting educator workforce stability and access to housing as a specified group for tax credits.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly permits using state housing funds for educator housing, qualifies it as eligible for state/federal programs, and designates teachers as a specified group for housing tax credits, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill designates teachers as a 'specified group' for housing benefits, directly supporting educator workforce housing as an employment standard under state/federal programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 315: Landlord and Tenant - Discrimination in Housing for Income-Based Housing Subsidies and Positive Rental History Reporting

HB 315 prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to potential tenants who pay rent using income-based housing subsidies (like federal vouchers) based on the tenant's income, credit score, or past credit issues that occurred before they received the subsidy. It directly affects landlords and tenants using such subsidies, making refusal a discriminatory housing practice enforceable by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. The bill includes an exception allowing landlords who receive funding requiring income qualification (e.g., for income-restricted housing) to collect financial information as a condition of that funding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination against tenants using housing subsidies, protecting tenant rights and preventing housing discrimination per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 335: Landlord and Tenant - Discrimination in Housing for Income-Based Housing Subsidies and Positive Rental History Reporting

This bill prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to potential tenants who use income-based housing subsidies (like federal housing vouchers) based on the tenant's income, credit score, or past credit history that occurred before they received the subsidy. It directly affects landlords and tenants using such subsidies, ensuring they cannot be discriminated against for relying on government assistance to pay rent. The law amends Maryland's housing discrimination statutes to clarify that such refusals constitute a discriminatory practice enforceable by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, with a limited exception for properties receiving funding that requires income verification for tenant eligibility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents discrimination against tenants using income-based housing subsidies, strengthening tenant protections and access to affordable housing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 571: Nonprofit Housing Corporations - Taxes and Special Assessments Exemptions - Alterations

HB 571 expands tax exemptions and judgment protections for nonprofit housing corporations in Maryland. It exempts real property used for housing eligible income residents (owned directly or through subsidiaries) from state and local taxes/special assessments, and prohibits court seizures of such property for unpaid debts. The bill defines "nonprofit housing corporation" as entities meeting specific IRS 501(c)(3) and housing purpose criteria, clarifying that subsidiary-owned properties qualify for these benefits. It directly affects nonprofit housing organizations providing affordable housing, ensuring their properties used for eligible residents remain tax-exempt and shielded from enforcement actions. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax exemptions for nonprofit housing serving low-income residents, providing tax relief aligned with supporting affordable housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax exemptions and judgment protections for nonprofit housing corporations serving eligible income residents, reducing costs to advance affordable housing development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 573: Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination - Regulations, Intent, and Discriminatory Effect

HB 573 updates Maryland's fair housing laws to prohibit discriminatory housing practices based on *effect* - not just *intent*. It explicitly states that actions creating segregated housing patterns or disproportionately harming protected groups (based on race, disability, sexual orientation, etc.) are illegal, regardless of whether the actor intended harm. The bill requires the Department of Housing to adopt regulations ensuring local governments and housing authorities actively "affirmatively further fair housing" through assessments in comprehensive planning. This directly affects housing providers, landlords, local governments, and housing authorities by expanding prohibited conduct and mandating proactive fair housing measures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on effect (not just intent), strengthening tenant protections and preventing segregated housing patterns per Maryland's fair housing laws.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits housing discrimination based on race and protected classes, protecting immigrants from housing bias.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1267: Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act)

HB 1267 requires local zoning authorities to maintain specific zoning classifications for two federal properties: the Patuxent Research Refuge and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The bill mandates that any portion of these properties sold, leased, or transferred by the federal government must retain a zoning classification restricting uses to open space, reserved open space, or resource conservation - prohibiting commercial, industrial, or residential development. This applies to the Patuxent Refuge under Section 4-217 and to Beltsville Agricultural Research Center property under Section 25-211 of Maryland law. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, and permanently prohibits local zoning exceptions for these properties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates conservation zoning to prevent development on federal environmental properties, protecting open space and resource conservation per its title and summary.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill explicitly prohibits residential development on two federal properties, directly limiting housing development per its language.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 940: Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan

SB 940 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create and implement a mobile home park water quality testing program by January 1, 2027. The program mandates testing at 25% of parks by 2028, 50% by 2029, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2031, prioritizing parks with 40%+ minority residents, areas with known geological contaminants, parks where residents requested testing or filed complaints, and parks using private water supplies. Park owners must take corrective actions if water quality issues are identified, and the Department must provide results to residents in multiple languages. This bill directly affects mobile home park owners and residents across Maryland by establishing a structured process to ensure drinking water safety.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates water quality testing in mobile home parks with phased implementation, prioritizing vulnerable communities and contamination risks, directly advancing environmental protection and pollution control standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates water testing in mobile home parks (affordable housing) prioritizing minority-resident parks and health risks, directly protecting tenant safety and health in housing conditions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 872: Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing - Rental Dwelling Unit - Definition

SB 872 amends Maryland law to redefine "rental dwelling unit" for lead risk reduction regulations. It removes the word "[independent]" from the definition, clarifying that a rental dwelling unit includes any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit with permanent living facilities (for sleeping, cooking, sanitation, etc.), regardless of whether it's physically separated. This change directly affects landlords and property managers of rental housing subject to lead safety requirements, as it expands the scope of units covered under existing lead risk reduction laws. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands lead safety regulations to cover more rental units by removing 'independent' from definition, strengthening tenant health protections in housing.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 85: Corporations and Associations - Cooperative Limited Equity Housing Corporations - Establishment

HB 85 creates a legal framework for Maryland nonstock corporations (like rental property owners) to convert into cooperative limited equity housing corporations. It establishes requirements for conversion, including a 60-day vote by members, and mandates that these cooperatives provide moving expense reimbursements and advance notice to low-income households (earning ≤80% of area median income) if they sell their units. The bill also sets rules for membership composition, restricts how cooperative interests can be sold or appreciated, and prohibits local governments from blocking such conversions. The Maryland Department of Housing will oversee implementation, including setting standards and providing grants to support new cooperative housing projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates legal framework for limited-equity co-ops with tenant protections for low-income households (≤80% AMI), mandating moving reimbursements and notice upon unit sale, advancing affordable housing access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing