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HB 1581 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Economic Development - Horse Racing Facilities, Prince George's County Blue Line Corridor Facilities, and Bus Rapid Transit - Alterations

HB 1581 updates Maryland's horse racing regulations, primarily affecting Pimlico Race Course operators and the Maryland Stadium Authority. It transfers operational authority for Pimlico from the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority to the Maryland Stadium Authority and requires the new "thoroughbred racetrack operator" (e.g., Maryland Jockey Club or its successor) to submit financial statements to the Stadium Authority. The bill ensures the Preakness Stakes remains at Pimlico after reconstruction by mandating that long-term agreements include continuity of the event. It also revises licensing rules for mile tracks to limit licenses to specific entities or their designated successors and adjusts fund distributions from the Purse Dedication Account. These changes aim to streamline operations and secure the Preakness Stakes' future at Pimlico.
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 13, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Economic Development - Horse Racing Facilities, Prince George's County Blue Line Corridor Facilities, and Bus Rapid Transit - Alterations → Enrolled - Economic Development - Horse Racing Facilities, Prince George's County Blue Line Corridor Facilities, and Bus Rapid Transit - Alterations · 3 edits · May 12, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, adding formal proofreading and gubernatorial approval steps. Substantively, the bill's scope was expanded to include Howard County alongside Montgomery County for bus rapid transit grants, and the Maryland Stadium Authority was formally designated as the successor to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority for the Laurel Park project.
Scope change
The bill's scope was broadened to include Howard County in bus rapid transit grant eligibility and clarified the Maryland Stadium Authority's role as the successor to the former racetrack operating authority.
ELIGIBILITY

Bus rapid transit grant eligibility was expanded to include both Montgomery County and Howard County, whereas the previous version only listed Montgomery County.

DEFINITION

The bill explicitly states that the Maryland Stadium Authority is the legal successor to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority for the Laurel Park development project.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was formatted as an enrolled bill, including sections for proofreader signatures and the Governor's approval date, which are standard for final legislation.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

49–0
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 25, 2026
D Democratic36
36 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 376
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Enrolled
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Introduced
House Concurs Senate Amendments
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Mar 30, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (104-33-5)
house of delegates
Mar 25, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (49-0)
senate
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 13, 2026
Committee
First Reading Appropriations
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.