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HB 343 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Housing Development Projects - Housing Counseling Services

HB 343 requires housing development projects receiving state funding to offer HUD-certified housing counseling services to prospective residents. It mandates that these services must be provided by counselors employed by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The bill also requires the Governor to appropriate $200,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2028 for community development organizations to partner with approved housing counseling agencies. This directly affects developers receiving state housing funds and prospective residents of subsidized housing projects.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates $200,000 annual appropriation for housing counseling services, directly funding a public program under budget authority.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates HUD-certified counseling for funded housing projects and allocates $200K annually for counseling services, directly advancing tenant access to housing resources.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 19, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Housing Development Projects - Housing Counseling Services → Third - Housing Development Projects - Housing Counseling Services · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to narrow its scope by changing the requirement from offering mandatory housing counseling services to simply providing information about available services. Additionally, the funding appropriation amount was reduced from $200,000 to $90,000 for community development organizations.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was narrowed to only projects funded by the Strategic Demolition Fund or the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative, and it was limited to single-family homeownership projects.
REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for funding recipients from offering mandatory housing counseling services to providing information about available services before a purchase contract is executed.

SCOPE

Limited the bill's application to projects funded specifically by the Strategic Demolition Fund or the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative.

Restricted the requirement to projects involving single-family homeownership, removing broader residential property types.

FISCAL

Reduced the annual appropriation for community development organizations from $200,000 to $90,000.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 16, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 28, 2026

How they voted

34–12
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Mar 16, 2026
D Democratic36
34 Yea 2
94% Yea
R Republican13
12 Nay 1
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 64
executive
Apr 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Mar 16, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (34-12-3)
senate
Mar 13, 2026
Committee
Referred Budget and Taxation
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters
lower
Feb 28, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (97-36-9)
house of delegates
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
First Reading Economic Matters
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Sandy Rosenberg
Sandy Rosenberg
DDemocratic
MD
41