HB 139 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Sales and Use Tax - Tax-Free Day - Veterans' Day

HB 139 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) starting in 2026, allowing veterans to purchase items under $2,000 without paying Maryland's sales tax. To qualify, veterans must show a driver's license or ID card noting veteran status at the point of sale. The Comptroller can suspend the tax-free day at their discretion. This law directly affects veterans shopping for qualifying items on Veterans Day, creating a temporary sales tax exemption with specific verification requirements.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Sep 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Sep 25, 2025 Last action Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Sales and Use Tax - Tax-Free Day - Veterans' Day → Third - Sales and Use Tax - Tax-Free Day - Veterans' Day · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to add a specific dollar limit of $250 to the tax-free threshold for veterans, reducing the maximum eligible purchase amount from $2,000 to $250. Additionally, the bill was updated to reflect its progression through the legislative process, including a favorable committee report and adoption by the House.

Scope change

The scope of the tax exemption was significantly narrowed by introducing a strict price cap.

ELIGIBILITY

The maximum taxable price for a tax-free sale was reduced from $2,000 to $250, limiting the value of items veterans can purchase without paying sales tax.

TIMELINE

The bill text was updated to include procedural milestones such as a favorable committee report and House adoption, indicating the bill has advanced in the legislative process.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 7, 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 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference Committee Report {

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Palakovich Carr, Feldmark and Roberson)

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Rosapepe, Augustine and McCray)

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments

upper

Apr 11, 2026

Introduced

House Refuses Concur 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 21, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (43-0-6)

senate

Mar 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 7, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (126-0-16)

house of delegates

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means

lower

Sep 25, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

lower

16 primary · 0 co-sponsors