SB 48 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Education - Public School Construction - Alterations

SB 48 clarifies approval requirements for public school construction and renovations in Maryland, directly affecting county school boards and local jurisdictions. It raises the threshold for mandatory State Superintendent approval from $50,000 to $200,000 for renovations impacting student spaces, and requires county boards to obtain prior approval before proceeding with major projects. The bill modifies reporting deadlines for the Interagency Commission on School Construction, establishes an appeal process for rejected projects, and clarifies eligibility rules for state funding for construction and systemic renovation projects. These changes streamline approval processes while ensuring state oversight for significant school facility investments.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Sep 22, 2025 Signed May 26, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Education - Public School Construction - Alterations Third - Education - Public School Construction - Alterations · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the rules for approving public school construction projects in Maryland, primarily raising the dollar thresholds that trigger state-level approval. The most significant change increases the cost limit for renovations and additions requiring State Superintendent approval from $1 million to $1.25 million, and for change orders from $200,000 to $350,000. Additionally, the bill adds a new requirement for the Commission to provide specific information to county boards and local governing bodies, and mandates a periodic review of cost thresholds.
Scope change
The scope of projects requiring state approval has been expanded to include higher-cost projects, while the scope of the Commission's duties has been broadened to include mandatory information sharing and periodic threshold reviews.
REQUIREMENT

Increased the cost threshold for renovation or addition projects requiring State Superintendent approval from $1,000,000 to $1,250,000.

Increased the cost threshold for change orders requiring approval from $200,000 to $350,000.

Added a new mandate for the Interagency Commission to provide certain information to each county board and each local governing body.

Added a requirement for the Commission to review a specific cost threshold amount at least once during a certain period of time.

DEFINITION

Updated terminology in several sections to refer to 'school building FACILITY' instead of just 'school building' in specific contexts.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

460
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Feb 27, 2026
D Democratic36
34 Yea 2
94% Yea
R Republican13
12 Yea 1
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 600
executive
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Appropriations
lower
Mar 25, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (135-0-7)
house of delegates
Mar 13, 2026
Committee
Referred Appropriations
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0-3)
senate
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Budget and Taxation
upper
Sep 22, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.