State Department of Assessments and Taxation - Blockchain-Based Real Property Title Pilot Program - Establishment

HB 823 establishes a two-year pilot program in Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation to test blockchain technology for recording real property ownership. The program allows property owners in up to three selected counties to opt into having their titles represented as secure digital records on a blockchain registry, which law enforcement and courts could use to verify ownership and resolve disputes involving squatting. Key provisions include creating a secure blockchain registry, developing real-time validation tools for authorities, testing smart contracts for title transfers, and requiring coordination with courts and police. The pilot begins January 1, 2027, with a final report due December 2028 assessing the system's potential for broader use. This affects participating property owners, local law enforcement, and courts in pilot jurisdictions, but does not change existing property laws.