Housing

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 11, 2026

HB 1259: Zoning Authorities - Operation of Family Child Care Homes - Prohibitions and Requirements

HB 1259 prohibits local Maryland jurisdictions (counties and Baltimore City) from denying or restricting family child care homes that meet state licensing requirements, including limiting the number of children below state standards. It requires local governments to classify these homes as residential activities and permit them under residential zoning rules. The bill amends Maryland's land use code to ensure consistency with state licensing standards and prevent local zoning barriers for licensed child care providers. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for family child care homes, enabling residential use under state licensing standards and preventing local restrictions on housing development.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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

HB 1308: Homeowners' Property Tax Credit - Eligibility and Calculation - Alterations

HB 1308 modifies Maryland's homeowners' property tax credit program by raising eligibility thresholds. It increases the assessed value cap for qualifying homes from $300,000 to $480,000, raises the income threshold for the first tax credit bracket from $8,000 to $12,500, and raises the combined gross income limit from $60,000 to $95,000. The bill also raises the net worth limit for eligibility from $200,000 to $320,000. These changes will directly affect more middle-income homeowners who previously exceeded the lower limits, expanding access to the credit starting June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax credit eligibility for middle-income homeowners by raising income/value thresholds, providing tax relief per indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRaises income/value thresholds for homeowners' tax credit, expanding eligibility to more middle-income homeowners and reducing property tax burden, advancing housing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1148: Property Taxes - Tax Sales, Legacy Protection Program, and Tax Credits

HB 1148 creates an Heirs Protection Program to prevent tax sales of inherited homes. It allows heirs (people who inherit a home after a homeowner's death) to become the official property owner, stay in their homes, and access property tax relief without losing the home to tax sales. The program is funded by a new Heirs Protection Fund financed by state and county governments, and requires the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to provide outreach and grants. The bill also expands eligibility for certain property tax credits to include heirs who aren't yet listed as the official property owner, under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for heirs through state/county-funded program, aligning with tax relief and program funding indicators per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents tax sales of inherited homes, provides property tax relief, and funds Heirs Protection Program to protect homeowners from displacement95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Homeownership Landlords Property Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1132: Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Resale Contracts - Notice Requirements (Keeping Affordable Housing Affordable Act)

HB 1132 (Keeping Affordable Housing Affordable Act) requires sellers of condominium units or homeowners association properties to provide buyers with specific financial disclosures 20 calendar days before closing - extending the prior 15-day deadline. It mandates written notice of any mandatory fee or payment increases exceeding 10% (or other major changes) after the seller learns of them. The bill affects condo/HOA sellers and buyers by ensuring transparency about future costs like maintenance fees, assessments, and reserve funds. Key provisions include standardized disclosure forms covering current budgets, outstanding dues, insurance, and facility details to help buyers understand long-term housing expenses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates financial disclosures for condo/HOA sellers to prevent unexpected fee increases, ensuring transparency about future costs to protect affordability for buyers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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

HB 790: State Transfer Tax - Exemption for First-Time Home Buyers - Alterations

HB 790 exempts first-time homebuyers in Maryland from the state transfer tax when purchasing improved residential property they will occupy as their primary residence. The bill replaces existing tax exemption language to clarify that qualifying buyers (those who have never owned residential property in Maryland as their principal home) and their agents must submit a sworn statement confirming their status and occupancy plans. The exemption applies to the 0.25% transfer tax rate, which remains the seller’s responsibility to pay (though no tax is collected under this exemption). This change directly affects first-time homebuyers purchasing qualifying properties, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts first-time homebuyers from transfer tax, providing tax relief for lower-income residents, aligning with support indicators for tax relief measures.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts first-time homebuyers from transfer tax, reducing purchase costs for primary residences and directly increasing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 783: Washington County - Property Tax Credit - Platoon 22, Incorporated

HB 783 requires Washington County and its municipalities to grant a 100% property tax credit against county and municipal taxes for real property owned by Platoon 22, Incorporated, provided the property is used to provide housing for veterans. The bill directly affects Platoon 22, a nonprofit organization, by eliminating property tax liability on qualifying housing properties. Key provisions mandate this tax credit be implemented through local law, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026. This is a targeted tax exemption for a specific organization’s veteran housing operations, not a broad policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesHB 783 eliminates property tax liability for veteran housing nonprofit via 100% tax credit, providing direct tax relief and supporting fiscal management for housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEliminates property taxes for veteran housing nonprofit, reducing costs to maintain affordable housing. Directly supports housing access for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates property taxes for nonprofit providing veteran housing, directly funding housing services through tax credit for veterans' housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Property Taxes Veteran Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1549: Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing - Rental Dwelling Unit - Definition

HB 1549 amends Maryland law to clarify the definition of "rental dwelling unit" under lead risk reduction regulations. It specifies that a rental unit must have permanent access to living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation facilities - removing the previous term "independent" from the definition. The bill excludes unfinished basements, hotel/motel units, inaccessible areas, and units not offered for rent from this definition. This change directly affects landlords and tenants in rental properties covered by Maryland's lead safety laws, ensuring clearer application of existing lead risk reduction requirements. The amendment takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies rental unit definition for lead risk regulations, ensuring tenant safety protections apply to appropriate housing units and preventing lead exposure in dwellings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1466: Department of Housing and Community Development - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program - Qualified Properties

HB 1466 expands Maryland's Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program by redefining "qualified property" to include homes in neighborhoods **historically redlined or affected by urban renewal**, in addition to existing criteria. This change directly affects **homebuyers and developers** seeking affordable housing in these specific areas by allowing them to access financial assistance to cover appraisal gaps. The program helps address undervaluation of homes in historically redlined neighborhoods - where appraisals often fall below market value due to systemic bias - by providing funds to bridge that difference. The bill amends Maryland Code, Housing and Community Development Article, Section 4-2801(h), effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands financial assistance program to address historic redlining undervaluation, directly increasing affordable housing access for homebuyers/developers in targeted neighborhoods.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1490: Family Investment Program - Temporary Cash Assistance - Good Cause and Adequate Reason Exceptions

HB 1490 modifies Maryland's Family Investment Program to protect individuals receiving Temporary Cash Assistance from losing benefits due to noncooperation with child support. It establishes specific "good cause" exceptions - such as domestic violence, homelessness, housing crises, child care barriers, or situations where cooperation would harm a child (e.g., incest, rape, or pending adoption) - that prevent the Department of Human Services from denying, reducing, or terminating assistance. The bill requires the Secretary to define these criteria and allows individuals to prove good cause through a simple oral or written statement, without needing written evidence, third-party verification, or paying for notarization. This directly affects low-income families navigating child support requirements while maintaining access to critical cash aid.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly lists 'housing crises' as a 'good cause' exception to prevent loss of Temporary Cash Assistance, directly supporting housing stability for vulnerable residents.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1516: Human Services - Energy Assistance Programs - Administration and Funding

HB 1516 transfers administration of Maryland's electric universal service program from the Public Service Commission to the Office of Home Energy Programs within the Department of Human Services. It also expands the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to cover fuel assistance programs, including weatherization for low-income households. The bill directly affects low-income residents with annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level who receive energy bill assistance. Key provisions include requiring the new Office to implement the electric universal service program and continuing the weatherization component previously managed by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The changes aim to streamline administration under one agency while maintaining existing eligibility and service mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Strategic Energy Investment Fund for low-income energy assistance, directly funding essential services for vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands Strategic Energy Investment Fund for weatherization and fuel assistance, promoting energy efficiency for low-income households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands weatherization for low-income households and funds energy assistance, directly reducing housing costs for vulnerable residents at or below 200% poverty level.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation Community Development Property Development

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