Housing

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1506: Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - New Owner Fees - Limitations

HB 1506 limits fees that new condominium or homeowners association (HOA) owners must pay at closing. It prohibits associations from charging new unit owners (not initial buyers) more than the current monthly assessment paid by existing owners at closing. Similarly, new lot owners in HOAs cannot be charged more than the existing lot owner's current monthly assessment. This bill directly affects new buyers in these communities by capping their initial capital contribution fees. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps initial fees for new condo/HOA buyers, reducing upfront costs and increasing affordability for new owners in housing communities.90% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Homeownership

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 826: Property Tax - Residential Real Property - Moratorium on Assessment Increases

HB 826 freezes increases to the assessed value of residential property in Maryland for taxable years 2026 through 2028. It directly affects homeowners by preventing local governments from raising property tax assessments based on market value during this period, unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions include zoning changes initiated by the owner, significant improvements adding at least $100,000 in value, changes in property use, or errors in calculation. The bill does not alter tax rates or affect commercial properties, only limiting assessment increases for residential homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes property tax assessments for homeowners, preventing tax increases during 2026-2028, providing direct tax relief per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill freezes residential property tax assessments for 2026-2028, preventing tax increases that would reduce housing affordability for homeowners by stabilizing their tax burden.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Zoning

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 753: Tax Sales - Homeowner Protections - Revisions

HB 753 would require Maryland's State Tax Sale Ombudsman to create a process allowing homeowners to designate family members or representatives to handle tax sale matters on their behalf. It mandates that dwellings be withheld from tax sale if the homeowner has a physician-documented terminal illness or medical hardship. The bill also increases the maximum home value eligible for the Homeowner Protection Program and grants priority enrollment in the program to homeowners with terminal illness or medical hardship. These changes directly affect Maryland homeowners facing tax sale proceedings, particularly those with serious health conditions or limited capacity to navigate the process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by preventing forced home sales for vulnerable homeowners with terminal illness, aligning with support indicators for fiscal protection.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents forced tax sales for homeowners with terminal illness/medical hardship, expands Homeowner Protection Program eligibility, and prioritizes vulnerable homeowners - directly strengthening housing stability protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Taxes

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 525: Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records - Good Cause

SB 525 allows individuals with past misdemeanor convictions to petition for record expungement after completing their sentence (5 years) and those with felony convictions after 7 years. Courts may grant expungement if they find "good cause," considering factors like the crime's nature, rehabilitation progress, public safety risk, and how the conviction affects employment, housing, or education. If denied, the petition cannot be appealed, and the person must wait 3 years before reapplying for the same conviction. The bill amends Maryland's criminal procedure code and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement after sentence completion with 'good cause' review, reducing barriers to employment/housing and promoting rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly considers 'how conviction affects housing' as a factor for expungement, removing barriers to housing access for individuals with criminal records.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly considers 'how conviction affects employment' in expungement decisions, directly reducing barriers to employment for individuals with criminal records.90% confidence

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 511: Corporations and Associations - Cooperative Limited Equity Housing Corporations - Establishment

SB 511 creates a legal path for Maryland nonstock housing corporations to convert into cooperative limited equity housing corporations (CLEHCs), which are member-owned housing entities where residents hold cooperative interests rather than traditional property ownership. The bill establishes conversion procedures, requires CLEHCs to maintain specific membership composition (including low/moderate-income households), limits resale profits on housing interests, and mandates relocation reimbursements for affected households during conversion. It also authorizes Maryland's Department of Housing to create additional rules and grant funding for CLEHCs while prohibiting local governments from restricting conversions. This directly affects current nonstock housing corporations and residents in properties transitioning to CLEHC ownership.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates CLEHC structure requiring low-income membership, limiting resale profits to preserve affordability and member ownership.95% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Community Development Property Development Property Taxes Roads & Highways Tags Economic Development

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

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1188: Excess Ownership of Single-Family Residences Excise Tax (End Hedge Fund Control of Maryland Homes Act of 2026)

HB 1188 imposes an excise tax on the acquisition and excess ownership of single-family residences in Maryland by certain entities (like large investment firms or hedge funds, as referenced in the bill's title). The tax revenue will fund the Down Payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program, which provides financing for down payments and settlement costs to help eligible homebuyers purchase homes. The bill creates a new "Excess Ownership of Single-Family Residences Excise Tax" under Maryland's tax code, with the Comptroller distributing tax revenue to the program fund after covering administrative costs. This policy directly affects entities owning multiple single-family homes in Maryland and redirects tax revenue to support first-time homebuyers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on hedge funds to fund down payment loans for homebuyers, directly allocating tax revenue to a public housing program.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingImposes tax on large investors to fund down payment assistance, directly advancing affordable housing access for eligible homebuyers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Sales Tax Homeownership

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 989: State Assistance for the Elderly - Study on Calculation of Income

HB 989 modifies how income is calculated for elderly individuals seeking state assistance. It prohibits including rental income from a portion of an individual's primary residence (e.g., renting a room) when determining eligibility for state tax credits, housing assistance, or medical assistance programs. The Department of Aging must review all relevant programs to confirm applicability and notify administering agencies if the rule applies. This change directly affects elderly Marylanders who rely on state assistance programs with income-based eligibility requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes rental income from eligibility calculations for state assistance programs, expanding access to benefits without increasing taxes, directly supporting elderly fiscal assistance programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes rental income from income calculation for medical assistance eligibility, expanding access to healthcare for elderly residents.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes rental income from primary residence for housing assistance eligibility, increasing access to programs for elderly residents without reducing benefits.85% confidence

Tags Seniors

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