SB 596 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Property Tax Exemption and Payment in Lieu of Taxes - The Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc.

SB 596 amends Maryland's property tax credit law to create a new incentive for businesses investing in Washington County. It requires qualifying businesses to either: (1) invest $20 million in capital improvements and create 200 new full-time jobs, or (2) for new businesses, secure 2,500 sq. ft. of new/renovated space and hire 25 new full-time jobs within 24 months. The bill specifically targets economic development by raising previous thresholds (from $10M/$100 jobs to $20M/200 jobs) for businesses seeking property tax credits. This applies to both new and existing businesses expanding or relocating in Washington County, directly affecting entities meeting these investment and job creation requirements.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Washington County - Property Tax - Multi-Use Facilities and Economic Development Projects Enrolled - Property Tax Exemption and Payment in Lieu of Taxes - The Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. · 4 edits · May 6, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, adding a new provision that allows the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. to pay a negotiated amount in lieu of property taxes. Additionally, the bill was reorganized to include a new tax exemption section for this specific facility alongside the existing property tax credit program for businesses.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a specific property tax exemption and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes mechanism for The Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc., which was not explicitly detailed in the earlier draft.
SCOPE

Added a new section (7-522) authorizing the facility to pay a mutually agreed-upon amount in lieu of property taxes to the county or city.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect its status as an 'Enrolled Bill' and added proofreader and governor approval lines.

Reorganized the bill structure to add a specific title line for the Hagerstown facility exemption and combined the repeal/reenactment instructions.

Adjusted the explanatory notes to include italics for opposite chamber amendments and updated the bill number formatting.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2025

How they voted

450
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 46
Mar 23, 2025
D Democratic33
33 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican13
12 Yea 1
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
24
Key actions
11
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 6, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 428
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Mar 23, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (45-0-1)
senate
Mar 22, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-1-6)
house of delegates
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Referred Ways and Means
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Committee
First Reading Budget and Taxation
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.