HB 1037 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Public Service Commission - Broadband and Voice Over Internet Protocol Service - Study

HB 1037 (Broadband Accountability and Affordability Act) gives Maryland's Public Service Commission authority to oversee broadband and internet-based phone service (VoIP), which it previously could not regulate. The bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to report on network reliability, outages, pricing, and emergency preparedness plans, and to maintain infrastructure meeting safety and reliability standards. The Commission can audit providers and order corrective actions if services are deemed unsafe, unreliable, or inadequate. ISPs must submit annual reports on progress, with the Commission reporting to the legislature each year starting in 2028 on improvements in service quality and network resilience.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 9, 2026 Last action Apr 8, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Public Service Commission - Broadband and Voice Over Internet Protocol Service - Oversight (Broadband Accountability and Affordability Act) → Third - Public Service Commission - Broadband and Voice Over Internet Protocol Service - Study · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly amended to shift from a permanent regulatory framework to a temporary study. Instead of immediately enforcing oversight on broadband and VoIP providers, the Public Service Commission is now directed to conduct a study and make recommendations on how such oversight should be implemented. This change removes immediate regulatory requirements and replaces them with a research phase to determine the appropriate scope and structure of future regulation.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from immediate regulatory authority over broadband and VoIP services to a study-only mandate. The Commission no longer has the authority to enforce rules, assess provider plans, or require remedial actions until a study is completed and recommendations are made.

REQUIREMENT

Removed all immediate requirements for the Commission to establish standards, assess provider plans, conduct audits, or require remedial actions for broadband and VoIP providers.

TIMELINE

Added a specific deadline of December 31, 2026, for the Commission to complete its study and submit findings and recommendations to legislative committees.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's purpose from authorizing oversight to authorizing a study on the potential scope, structure, and implementation of oversight.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed provisions allowing the Commission to hold hearings, evaluate provider facilities, and mandate corrective actions for unsafe or inadequate services.

DEFINITION

Reorganized the definitions section to align with the new study-focused language, though the core definitions of broadband and VoIP services remain largely similar.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until 4/10 (Senator Salling) Adopted

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 11, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (106-32-4)

house of delegates

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors