Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1236: Real Property – Prohibition on Restrictions of Accessory Dwelling Units – Historic District Exemption

HB 1236 modifies Maryland law to prevent restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs - secondary housing units on the same property as a primary home) from applying to historic properties. It specifically exempts two categories: (1) properties listed in or eligible for Maryland’s Historic Register, and (2) properties within districts designated as historic under local zoning rules. This means property owners in historic districts can develop or rent ADUs without facing prohibitions based solely on historic designation. The bill does not change general ADU rules outside historic areas but ensures historic preservation rules cannot block ADU development in these zones.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves restrictions on ADUs in historic districts, enabling more housing options and increasing supply without limiting development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Property Development Zoning

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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

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2026

HB 774: Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases and Holdover Tenancies - Local Good Cause Termination (Good Cause Eviction)

HB 774 allows counties in Maryland to adopt local laws requiring landlords to have a valid reason (like nonpayment of rent or lease violations) to terminate residential leases or evict tenants who remain after their lease ends ("holdover tenancies"). Landlords in counties with such laws must disclose whether they are subject to these rules in lease agreements and provide specific ownership details (including how many properties they own) if claiming an exemption. The bill also requires the state housing office to create standardized forms for this disclosure and to clarify when landlords must prove "good cause" in court. This directly affects landlords and tenants in counties that implement these local good cause eviction protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to have valid reasons for eviction, protecting tenants from arbitrary displacement - directly strengthens tenant rights in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 937: Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases - Prospective Tenant Criminal History Records Check (Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act)

SB 937, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, prohibits landlords from requiring or considering a prospective tenant's criminal history before making a rental offer. Landlords may only review criminal history after extending a conditional offer and must allow tenants to provide evidence about inaccuracies, rehabilitation, or mitigating factors. The bill also bans upfront criminal history checks, restricts discriminatory housing ads, and makes violations enforceable under Maryland's consumer protection laws. It directly affects all residential landlords and tenants with past criminal records in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal history checks in housing decisions, aligns with criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to housing for individuals with records, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits criminal history discrimination in rentals, protects tenants from bias, aligns with tenant protection and anti-discrimination housing policies95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 919: Maryland Higher Education Commission - Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program - Established

HB 919 establishes the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The program provides grants directly to minorities residing in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities who aim to become real estate appraisers. Its key mechanisms include closing appraisal gaps in these communities, diversifying the appraisal field, and supporting individuals pursuing PAREA certification. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the grants starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingTargets historically redlined neighborhoods to close appraisal gaps, addressing housing discrimination and supporting equitable housing outcomes.85% confidence

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

HB 1175: Land Use - Residential Housing - Oversight, Regulation, and Taxation (Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act)

HB 1175, the "Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act," requires property owners to certify contact information to the Department of Housing annually and allows local governments to review housing development projects. It establishes housing production targets, creates simplified permitting for standardized affordable housing designs, and permits counties to adjust taxes - lowering fees for affordable projects while increasing them on non-affordable properties. The bill also mandates studies on housing infrastructure, tax disincentives for downsizing, and internal reviews of housing approval processes. These provisions directly affect property owners, local jurisdictions, counties, and housing developers across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLowers fees for affordable housing projects while increasing taxes on non-affordable properties, incentivizing affordable development through targeted tax adjustments.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes tax incentives for affordable projects, simplified permitting, and housing targets to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

Track

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

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Land Use Property Development Zoning Rail

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1137: Residential-in-Commercial-Zone Laws - Study (Bring Back Main Street Act)

HB 1137 (the "Bring Back Main Street Act") requires Maryland counties to permit multifamily developments (buildings with 5+ residential units sharing walls) and mixed-use developments (primarily residential with non-residential space limited to under 50% of total floor area, confined to first floors) on certain properties. It prohibits counties from imposing restrictions on these developments, such as limiting building height or density, while allowing counties to require a minimum of 15% of floor space in mixed-use projects to be dedicated to retail uses and to mandate on-site parking. The bill directly affects counties (by changing their zoning authority), developers seeking to build these projects, and property owners on affected parcels. It updates Maryland’s land use code to streamline approval for these development types, aiming to support community revitalization.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires counties to permit multifamily/mixed-use developments, prohibiting density/height restrictions to increase housing supply and advance affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 818: State Center - Development - Contract, Plan Requirements, and Advisory Group

SB 818 amends Maryland law to establish new requirements for developing the 28-acre State Center property in Baltimore City. It requires all new or modified development contracts to include an enforceable community benefits agreement with the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, a local hiring plan with job goals, and an economic improvement plan prioritizing minority- and women-owned businesses. The bill also creates a State Center Advisory Group composed of neighborhood associations, anchor institutions, and community organizations within a 1-mile radius to provide community input, leverage neighborhood benefits, and ensure transparency. This directly affects the developer of the State Center project and surrounding Baltimore neighborhoods.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates community benefits agreements, local hiring plans, and minority/women-owned business prioritization in housing development contracts, advancing equitable housing policies.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates local hiring plan with job goals and prioritizes minority/women-owned businesses, directly advancing employment standards and equitable workforce opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 15, 2026

SB 981: Common Ownership Communities - Ombudsman Unit, Governing Document Database, and Local Commissions

SB 981 creates a Common Ownership Community Ombudsman Unit within Maryland's Attorney General's office to handle complaints from residents of condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations (HOAs) about final decisions made by their community's management. The bill requires these communities to submit governing documents to the state housing department, which must establish a public database of all filings. The Ombudsman Unit will review complaints, refer them to county-established local commissions for review if needed, or make determinations on whether decisions violate state laws, while also providing residents with information and dispute resolution referrals. The unit must report annually on its activities, including complaint volumes and actions taken.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates ombudsman unit to resolve resident complaints against HOA/condo management, strengthening tenant protections within common ownership communities per housing topic indicators.85% confidence

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