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 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 26, 2026

HB 548: Land Use - Permitting - Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act)

HB 548, the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, requires local governments to approve housing development projects based solely on land-use laws and regulations in effect when a developer submits a "substantially complete" application. It grants developers "vested rights" to build under those original rules for a set period, protecting projects from future regulatory changes. The bill also prohibits localities from collecting development excise taxes or impact fees until a project is fully completed. This directly affects housing developers and local planning authorities across Maryland, streamlining approvals for new housing while limiting fee collection during construction.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local development fees/taxes until project completion, restricting local tax revenue collection during construction.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines housing development via vested rights, reducing regulatory barriers to increase housing supply85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 939: Bankruptcy Proceedings - Exemptions From Execution - Residential Real Property

SB 939 expands bankruptcy exemptions for Maryland residents by including residential property held in a revocable trust as eligible for protection. It increases the exemption amount for owner-occupied homes to $150,000 for most filers and $300,000 for individuals aged 60+ who are veterans or have a long-term disability certified by a physician. The bill adjusts these amounts annually based on the Consumer Price Index and rounds to the nearest $25. This directly affects people filing for bankruptcy in Maryland who own homes through revocable trusts or meet the higher exemption criteria.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands bankruptcy exemptions for residential property, protecting homeowners from losing equity in bankruptcy, aligning with housing stability and property rights protections.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides $300k bankruptcy exemption for veteran homeowners aged 60+ with disability certification, directly expanding financial protection for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1452: Economic Development - Prince George's County Suitland Development Authority - Established

HB 1452 establishes the Suitland Development Authority in Prince George’s County to revitalize the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road intersection area, which has faced decades of underdevelopment and blight. The Authority will create neighborhood revitalization plans with resident input, modify project boundaries (subject to a vote), manage finances, and operate tax-exempt under certain conditions. It directly affects residents and businesses in this specific neighborhood by aiming to boost economic activity, reduce unemployment, retain existing businesses, and increase property tax revenue for the county and state. The bill creates a new government entity focused on targeted neighborhood redevelopment, not broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax-exempt authority for economic development, providing tax relief for the Suitland project area and enabling fiscal management through tax-exempt operations.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Suitland Development Authority to revitalize blighted neighborhood area, directly advancing housing development through neighborhood revitalization plans.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes Suitland Development Authority to revitalize Suitland/Silver Hill Road intersection, directly improving road infrastructure and addressing blight at a key transportation corridor.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1279: Catalytic Revitalization Project Tax Credit - Alterations

HB 1279 modifies Maryland's Catalytic Revitalization Project Tax Credit program to expand eligibility and adjust credit calculations. It updates definitions to include properties formerly owned by the federal government or state, or those formerly used as schools/hospitals, and clarifies income thresholds for "workforce housing" (e.g., 60-150% area median income in designated areas). The bill changes how tax credits are claimed: for workforce housing projects, 50% of the credit applies to workforce units in the first year, with 33% of non-workforce costs spread over three subsequent years. This directly affects developers and property owners rehabilitating qualifying properties seeking state tax credits. The changes aim to simplify claiming while expanding opportunities for projects in targeted communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credits for workforce housing revitalization, providing tax relief for qualifying projects and promoting affordable housing development through modified credit calculations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit eligibility for workforce housing (60-150% AMI), increasing affordable housing development funding through adjusted credit calculations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ 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

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 130: Environment - Water - Individual Submeters

SB 130 requires landlords in multi-unit apartment buildings (with more than two dwelling units) to install individual water meters for each unit instead of using bulk billing. It prohibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks, poor maintenance, or common areas, and mandates that meters include leak detection monitors that tenants can inspect. Landlords must maintain clear records of water costs and usage for tenant review, and unpaid water bills cannot be used as grounds for eviction. The law, effective October 1, 2026, also allows a $1 monthly administrative fee to cover billing costs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates individual water meters with leak detection, promoting conservation by billing based on actual usage and preventing waste from undetected leaks.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks/common areas, mandates leak detection, and bans eviction over unpaid water bills - directly protects tenant rights and reduces housing costs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing