HB 556 creates a property tax credit for Maryland households that spend a significant portion of their income on utilities. It allows Baltimore City or local counties to grant a credit against property taxes for "eligible individuals" who pay at least 25% of their household net income on utility services (electricity, gas, water, or internet) for their primary residence. Local governments would determine the credit amount, duration, and additional eligibility rules through their own ordinances. The credit applies to property taxes on the dwelling, not utility bills directly, and would take effect for taxable years starting after June 30, 2026.
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.
HB 239, the "Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026," prohibits Maryland local governments from enforcing zoning rules that restrict lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, or architectural features for certain single-family homes. It specifically prevents bans on "starter homes" (smaller, affordable single-family homes) and "silver homes" (housing designed for older adults) in zones where they are currently prohibited, and allows subdivisions of certain lots to create these housing types. The bill directly affects counties and municipalities by limiting their authority over zoning for these home types, requiring them to permit such developments in applicable areas. Key provisions include repealing existing zoning restrictions and adding new requirements to state law that mandate local jurisdictions to allow these housing options.
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.
SB 47 repeals a requirement that political subdivisions (like cities or counties) must approve business development applications before the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development can approve them. This change directly affects small businesses, nonprofits, and microenterprises seeking financial assistance under the Neighborhood Business Development Program. The key provision removes the need for local government approval, streamlining the application process by allowing the Department to approve projects if no response is received within 45 days. The bill does not alter funding amounts, eligibility criteria, or existing requirements for food desert projects or sustainable communities.
HB 691 requires Maryland state agencies that issue housing construction permits to create streamlined permitting processes. Key provisions include allowing multiple permits to be handled simultaneously where possible, establishing predictable sequencing for approvals, and creating clear pathways for faster reviews. The State Housing Ombudsman must ensure consistency across different agencies’ processes and facilitate coordination with local governments. This bill directly affects state agencies, local governments (through potential delegation of permit tasks), and developers seeking housing construction permits, with implementation required by October 2026 and a reporting deadline for the Ombudsman in December 2027.
HB 379 allows Prince George's County to delay payment of school facilities and public safety/behavioral health surcharges on new residential construction until specific events occur. Sellers of new homes will no longer need to pay these fees upfront when applying for building permits. Instead, payment can be deferred until final inspection, occupancy permit issuance, or the first property sale after the building permit is issued. The bill modifies existing county laws to implement this deferral process without changing the surcharge amounts or requirements.
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.
SB 325, the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, requires local governments and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to base housing development approvals solely on land use rules in effect when a developer submits a complete application. It grants developers "vested rights" protecting approved projects from future rule changes for a set period and prohibits collecting development taxes or impact fees before construction is finished. The bill directly affects housing developers seeking permits and local regulatory agencies managing land use. It creates a new "Maryland Housing Certainty Act" section in state law to formalize these protections and fee restrictions.
HB 702 directs that a portion of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - funded by compliance fees paid by electric companies - be used to provide energy bill refunds for members of cooperative housing corporations and condominium unit owners in 2027. These refunds specifically target residents who did not receive a similar refund in 2025 under prior legislation. The refunds must be issued to the co-op or condo board, which then distributes them to individual residents, with half paid during a peak summer month and half during a peak winter month. This ensures co-op and condo residents receive equitable energy cost relief previously available to other residential customers.
