Veterans

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 588: Natural Resources - Complimentary Fishing and Hunting Licenses - Alterations

SB 588 amends Maryland law to expand eligibility for lifetime complimentary Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing licenses. It adds criteria allowing the Department to issue these licenses to Maryland residents who are former prisoners of war, veterans deemed unemployable by the VA, or 100% service-connected disabled veterans, and to out-of-state applicants whose home states offer similar privileges. The bill also requires the Department to annually compile statistics on complimentary hunting licenses, including the names, occupations, and states of residence of recipients. All complimentary licenses remain free, non-transferable, and subject to a limit of 20 per state.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands complimentary license eligibility to include veterans: former POWs, VA-unemployable, and 100% service-connected disabled veterans, directly providing a benefit and recognition.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1390: Public Schools - Veterans' Day - Excused Student Absence

HB 1390 requires Maryland public schools to excuse student absences for observing Veterans' Day, directly affecting all public school students and their families. The bill amends Maryland's education code to explicitly add Veterans' Day to the list of excused absences, alongside existing holidays like Thanksgiving and Memorial Day. Schools must now excuse absences for Veterans' Day observance without requiring a specific reason or documentation. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies uniformly across all Maryland public school districts.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates excused absences for Veterans' Day observance, directly recognizing veteran service in school policy per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1520: Courts - Exemption From Judgment - Alterations and Additions

HB 1520 increases exemption limits for certain property debtors can protect from creditors in Maryland. It raises the household goods exemption from $1,000 to $5,000 (to $10,000 for disabled veterans) and increases the motor vehicle exemption to $25,000 for elderly or disabled debtors (up from $10,000). The bill also maintains existing exemptions for tools of trade ($5,000), firearms ($3,000), and professional items. These changes apply to debtors facing judgment enforcement or bankruptcy proceedings under Maryland law. The bill does not alter other existing exemptions like child support or retirement funds.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSpecifically increases household goods exemption to $10,000 for disabled veterans, advancing financial protection.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1482: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Revisions

HB 1482 requires Maryland counties and municipalities to automatically grant a property tax credit to disabled veterans and surviving spouses who own their homes, replacing the previous "may grant" option. It increases the credit to 80% of property taxes for veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability (up from 50%), 40% for 50-69% disability (up from 25%), and 20% for 20-49% disability. To qualify, applicants must have a VA-certified disability rating, own a primary residence, and have federal adjusted gross income under $100,000. Surviving spouses may also continue receiving the credit under local laws. The bill mandates these changes starting June 1, 2026, for all taxable years after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax credits for disabled veterans, providing direct tax relief and expanding existing benefits through mandatory county/municipal implementation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax credit reducing housing costs for disabled veterans, supporting affordability for vulnerable homeowners through direct financial relief.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill increases property tax credit percentages for disabled veterans (up to 80%) and mandates automatic grants, strengthening financial benefits for veterans and surviving spouses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

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

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 709: Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program

SB 709 creates Maryland's Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize institutions of higher education that provide strong support for military-connected students. The bill updates the definition of "military-connected student" to include service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents, and establishes specific requirements for colleges seeking designation. To qualify, colleges must designate a uniformed services liaison, maintain a dedicated webpage with transition resources, offer student-led transition programs, and provide staff training on military-connected student needs. Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, this program complements the existing Purple Star Schools Program and directly affects colleges and military-connected students statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Purple Star Colleges Program requiring institutions to support military-connected students with resources, enhancing educational access for veterans and military families in higher education.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans in 'military-connected student' definition and creates Purple Star Colleges Program requiring transition resources for veterans, strengthening educational support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 844: Motor Vehicle Registration - Fee Exemption - Unemployable Disabled Veterans

HB 844 exempts unemployable disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities from Maryland's vehicle registration fees for one personally used vehicle. The bill amends Maryland's vehicle registration code to add a new exemption category (Section 13-903(a)(11)) specifically for veterans deemed unemployable due to a service-connected disability. This change directly affects qualifying veterans who own or lease a vehicle for personal use, removing a recurring cost. The exemption takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not apply to additional vehicles. The bill replaces the previous exemption for veterans with specific physical disabilities under Section 13-903(a)(8).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts disabled veterans from vehicle registration fees, providing tax relief for vulnerable group and reducing state revenue collection.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts unemployable disabled veterans from vehicle registration fees, removing financial burden and expanding benefits for qualifying veterans with service-connected disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 150: Notation of Veteran Status - Public Profiles

SB 150 allows Maryland state departments (including Environment, General Services, and Labor) to add a voluntary "veteran status" notation to public profiles for certain licenses and certifications. It requires applicants to provide documentation (like a DD-214 or state certification) and explicitly consent to having the notation displayed and to being contacted about veterans' benefits. The bill applies to business licenses, health occupations credentials, and state-issued identification cards, with departments adding the notation only upon verified veteran status and applicant consent. This policy change does not create new benefits but provides a visible indicator of veteran status on state-issued public profiles.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransVoluntary veteran status notation facilitates benefits access and recognition, requiring consent and documentation to connect veterans with services, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 242: Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act

SB 242, the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, allows active-duty service members and their spouses to practice in Maryland under an occupational or professional license issued by another state, without needing to meet all of Maryland’s usual licensing requirements. It also expands eligibility for veterans’ licensing benefits to include former service members who were discharged more than a certain period before applying for a license. The bill creates new provisions (Subtitle 14A) in Maryland law to streamline this process and updates definitions to clarify who qualifies under these rules. These changes directly affect military personnel, their families, and veterans seeking to work in licensed professions across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFacilitates employment access for service members/veterans by easing occupational licensing barriers, aligning with employment standards support.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' licensing benefits to include former service members discharged beyond a certain period, directly advancing veteran employment opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 364: State Veterans' Cemeteries - Interment

HB 364 clarifies that "interment location" includes burial plots, mausoleums, and columbarium niches in Maryland's state veterans' cemeteries. It requires the Department of Veterans and Military Families to provide an outer burial receptacle (like a marker or niche) at no cost with every interment, replacing the previous requirement for a grave liner. This directly affects veterans and their eligible dependents (spouses, children under 21, or disabled adult children) who are buried in state veterans' cemeteries. The bill amends existing Maryland law to ensure this free marker provision is standard practice for all eligible interments.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill requires free outer burial receptacles (markers/niches) at state cemeteries, removing cost barriers for veterans' interment and replacing a prior requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare