Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 829: Residential-in-Commercial-Zone Laws - Study (Bring Back Main Street Act)

SB 829, the "Bring Back Main Street Act," requires certain Maryland counties to permit multifamily developments (buildings with five or more dwelling units sharing common walls) and mixed-use developments (residential plus non-residential uses where non-residential is under 50% of space and limited to first floors) as standard zoning. It prohibits counties from imposing restrictions on these developments, such as limiting height or density, while allowing counties to require a minimum percentage of retail space and on-site parking. The bill directly affects counties, developers, and communities by streamlining approval for housing projects that combine residential and commercial uses. This change aims to increase housing options in areas where such developments were previously restricted under local zoning rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates counties to permit multifamily/mixed-use developments without height/density restrictions, directly increasing housing supply and development potential.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 847: Wicomico County - Property Tax Credit - Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.

This bill authorizes Wicomico County or its municipalities to grant a property tax credit against local property taxes for real estate owned by Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (SNHS), specifically for properties SNHS intends to transfer to private owners within a near future. The credit applies only to properties used for development, rehabilitation, and transfer to private owners, excluding administrative or warehouse buildings owned by SNHS. SNHS must submit annual reports detailing all its property holdings and transactions in the jurisdiction granting the credit. The credit becomes effective for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes property tax credit for SNHS properties used in housing development, reducing tax burden for affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax credit for SNHS to develop/rehab housing for transfer to private owners, directly advancing affordable housing development through financial incentives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1096: Property Tax Credits - Notice Through Property Tax Bill

HB 1096 requires Baltimore City and Maryland counties to include written notice of eligible property tax credits on property tax bills sent to taxpayers. This applies to existing property tax credits (such as those for seniors or veterans) that taxpayers may qualify for but might not be aware of. If someone other than the taxpayer receives the bill, the recipient must forward the notice to the actual taxpayer in writing. The bill does not create new credits but ensures taxpayers receive clear information about existing ones through their tax billing process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnsures taxpayers receive notice of existing property tax credits (e.g., for seniors/veterans), facilitating access to current relief programs without creating new taxes or funding.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnsures eligible taxpayers receive notice of existing property tax credits (e.g., for seniors/veterans), reducing housing costs and supporting affordability.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnsures veterans are notified of existing property tax credits they may qualify for, facilitating access to current benefits without creating new ones.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 894: Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development - Alterations (Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act)

HB 894, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates qualifying transit-oriented developments (near rail stations with at least hourly service Monday-Friday 8am-6pm) as enterprise zones, granting tax incentives without separate approval. The bill requires the Maryland Development Corporation to prioritize redevelopment projects near transit in its loan programs and delays certain development fees for residential housing projects. It also changes local land use regulations near transit stations by altering municipal authority to restrict development in these areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill grants tax incentives for transit-oriented developments and delays development fees, directly advancing tax policy and fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAutomatically designates transit-oriented developments as enterprise zones for tax incentives, prioritizes transit-redevelopment in loan programs, and delays residential development fees - directly advancing housing development.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates tax incentives for transit-oriented developments, prioritizes transit-redevelopment in loans, and delays fees for housing near transit, directly advancing public transit infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1611: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Income Eligibility

HB 1611 repeals a fixed $100,000 federal adjusted gross income limit for disabled veterans seeking a property tax credit on their primary residence. Instead, it allows counties and municipalities to set their own income eligibility criteria for the credit, based on a veteran's federal adjusted gross income. The bill directly affects disabled veterans (with service-connected disabilities of 50%+) and their surviving spouses who own their homes. Key provisions shift authority from the state to local governments to determine income thresholds, while maintaining existing credit rates (25% or 50% of property tax) based on disability rating. The change takes effect June 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals fixed income cap, expanding property tax credit eligibility for disabled veterans (50%+ service-connected), providing targeted tax relief and strengthening tax policy for vulnerable groups.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes fixed income limit for property tax credit, allowing local adjustment to make housing more affordable for disabled veterans and surviving spouses.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRepeals fixed income cap for veterans' property tax credit, expanding eligibility by allowing local income criteria to increase access to benefits for disabled veterans and surviving spouses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 161: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

HB 161 creates a property tax credit for property owners who convert former gas stations (retail service stations) to new uses like retail stores, homes, or mixed residential-retail spaces. Local governments (counties or cities) can grant this credit to offset property taxes, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost tax revenue. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up contamination. This applies to properties converted after June 30, 2026, and affects property owners making such conversions in Maryland jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit with state reimbursement (50% of lost revenue), providing targeted tax relief for redevelopment cleanup costs while managing state budget impact.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds cleanup of gas station contamination (removing underground tanks), directly supporting pollution control and environmental protection.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables housing development by offsetting cleanup costs for gas station conversions to residential/mixed uses, facilitating redevelopment of underutilized properties.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 58: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

SB 58 allows Baltimore City or Maryland counties to offer property tax credits to owners who convert former gas stations into retail, residential, or mixed-use properties. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up soil or water contamination from those tanks. Local governments can set the credit amount and duration, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost property tax revenue. This directly affects property owners and developers planning to redevelop former gas station sites into other commercial or housing uses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows property tax credits for cleanup with 50% state reimbursement, supporting fiscal management through targeted tax relief without net budget loss.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly funds cleanup of soil/water contamination from gas station tanks, advancing pollution remediation and environmental protection.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes residential redevelopment of underutilized gas stations via property tax credits, removing cleanup cost barriers to increase housing supply and development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 379: Recovery Residence Grant Program - Funding

This bill ensures Maryland's Recovery Residence Grant Program receives $500,000 annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2030 by requiring this funding be included in the state's annual budget. It directly supports recovery residences (such as sober living facilities) that provide housing and support services for people in addiction recovery. The law updates existing funding rules to extend the annual budget requirement through 2030, preventing potential funding gaps. This creates a stable funding mechanism for these community-based recovery programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual $500k state budget allocation for recovery residences, ensuring stable funding for essential addiction support services through 2030.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds recovery residences for addiction rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform by supporting rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds addiction recovery residences (mental health support) via mandatory annual $500k budget allocation, preventing funding gaps for critical healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds recovery residences (sober living housing) for addiction recovery, directly supporting affordable housing initiatives via annual budget allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Housing