HB 1139 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

State Retirement and Pension System - Administration and Clarification

HB 1139 clarifies that local governments (such as counties, cities, and special agencies) must have all their employees join specific state pension systems - Employees’, Law Enforcement Officers’, or Correctional Officers’ - rather than allowing partial participation. It requires governments seeking to join these systems to submit properly completed election forms showing employee consent and ensures local retirement plans match state contribution rates or eliminate employer-paid contributions. The bill affects over 25 types of Maryland governmental units currently operating pension systems, including fire departments, transit authorities, and community action agencies. These changes aim to standardize participation requirements across the State Retirement and Pension System.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Signed Apr 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - State Retirement and Pension System - Administration and Clarification → Enrolled - State Retirement and Pension System - Administration and Clarification · 6 edits · Apr 28, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled act, moving it from a draft version to a law ready for the Governor's signature. Substantively, the text clarifies that certain governmental units must have all their employees participate in a pension system to qualify for participation, and it updates the list of repealed statutes to include new sections related to teacher pensions and specific county codes while retaining the core provisions for local employer payment schedules and interest on delinquent amounts.

Scope change

The scope of repealed statutes was expanded to include sections regarding teacher pensions and specific county codes (29-304), whereas the original draft only listed general personnel sections. The substantive scope of the pension system rules for eligible governmental units remains consistent between the two versions.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was updated from 'Third' to 'Enrolled', indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages and is awaiting the Governor's approval.

The bill title was slightly altered to include 'Eligible Governmental Units' and 'Administration and Clarification' to better reflect the content.

The explanatory notes were updated to include 'Italics' to indicate amendments from the opposite chamber or conference committee.

REQUIREMENT

The purpose clause was expanded to clarify that specific documentation for participation must include properly completed election forms.

A new requirement was added stating that an eligible governmental unit can only participate in a pension system if all of its employees participate in that same system.

SCOPE

The list of repealed statutes was updated to include new sections regarding teacher pensions (29-304) and specific county codes, expanding the bill's reach beyond just general personnel sections.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

43–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 49

Mar 21, 2026

D Democratic36

30 Yea 6

83% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 291

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 25, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (135-0-7)

house of delegates

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

First Reading Appropriations

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors