SB 497 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Property Tax - City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. - Exemption

This bill exempts property owned by Hagerstown City or the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility used primarily for public social, recreational, and entertainment purposes from property taxes. It applies retroactively to tax years beginning after June 30, 2023, requiring Washington County, the city, and the state to refund any overpaid taxes from that period. The exemption covers properties meeting the specified public use criteria, with refunds processed for eligible taxpayers who request retroactive relief. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Property Tax - City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. - Exemption Third - Property Tax - City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. - Exemption · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to include a committee report and adoption status, indicating it has passed the Senate. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a 'mutual agreement' clause, which allows the facility to pay a negotiated amount to the county or city instead of taxes, replacing the previous text that was accidentally duplicated and removed. The effective date remains June 1, 2026, and the retroactive exemption for years after June 30, 2023, is unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding tax exemption criteria remains the same, but the funding mechanism was modified to allow for negotiated payments in lieu of taxes.
TIMELINE

Added committee report status (Favorable) and Senate action (Adopted) dates.

TECHNICAL

Added a new sentence allowing the facility to pay a mutually agreed-upon amount to the county or city in lieu of taxes.

Removed a duplicate paragraph regarding the facility's ability to pay a negotiated amount.

Updated the bill header to reflect the new bill number CF HB 846.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

440
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Feb 22, 2026
D Democratic36
31 Yea 5
86% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 809
executive
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Ways and Means
lower
Mar 22, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (127-3-12)
house of delegates
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
Referred Ways and Means
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Feb 22, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)
senate
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
First Reading Budget and Taxation
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.