HB 1216 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Insurance – Certificates of Guarantee for County Bond Requirements – All Counties

HB 1216 allows all Maryland counties - not just specific ones - to choose whether to accept "certificates of guarantee" issued by approved contractor associations or on behalf of contractors. These certificates help contractors meet bonding requirements for public projects like road or building work. The bill clarifies that counties are not required to honor these certificates but may do so voluntarily. It updates Maryland's insurance code by removing the previous list of counties that could accept them, applying the rule uniformly across all counties.

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

May 2026

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Insurance – Certificates of Guarantee for County Bond Requirements – All Counties → Third - Insurance – Certificates of Guarantee for County Bond Requirements – All Counties · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was advanced from its first reading to adoption with a favorable committee report, and the effective date is set for October 1, 2026. The definition of a 'Certificate of guarantee' was reorganized to clarify that it is issued by approved nonprofit contractor associations on behalf of contractors to satisfy county bond requirements. The text also includes standard legislative formatting updates, such as adding signatures for approval and updating the explanatory notes on how amendments are marked.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on county bond requirements for public improvements, but the definition of eligible guarantors was clarified to include wholly owned subsidiaries of approved nonprofit associations.

TIMELINE

Added a favorable committee report and recorded the bill's adoption and second reading date.

DEFINITION

Reorganized the definition of 'Certificate of guarantee' to explicitly list the issuing body and the purpose of satisfying county bond requirements.

TECHNICAL

Added signature lines for the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 8, 2026

How they voted

35–8

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 49

Mar 24, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

3 Yea 8 Nay 2

61% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 749

executive

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator West) Adopted

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 24, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (35-8-6)

senate

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Mar 8, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (95-37-10)

house of delegates

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors