SB 756 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Baltimore City – Economic Development Project in Downtown RISE District – Payment in Lieu of Taxes

SB 756 creates a tax exemption for certain new or rehabilitated commercial or residential developments in Baltimore City's Downtown RISE District (specifically Wards 4 and 22 precincts), replacing property taxes with annual "payment in lieu of taxes" agreements. Property owners must enter a formal agreement with Baltimore City by June 30, 2036, after demonstrating the project's economic necessity through a city-approved analysis. The bill requires annual reporting on job creation, estimated tax revenue, and other economic benefits of qualifying projects. This applies only to developments including hotels, offices, retail, multifamily housing, or mixed-use facilities within the defined district.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

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

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Baltimore City – Economic Development Project in Downtown RISE District – Payment in Lieu of Taxes → Enrolled - Baltimore City – Economic Development Project in Downtown RISE District – Payment in Lieu of Taxes · 3 edits · Apr 14, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized as an Enrolled Bill, adding official signatures and the Great Seal for the Governor's approval. The text was reorganized to include a new Section 2.3 that clarifies the 10-year sunset provision applies only to the tax exemption (Section 1), ensuring that any Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreements signed before the exemption expires remain valid. The core policy regarding tax exemptions and reporting requirements for the Downtown RISE District remained unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the Downtown RISE District and tax exemption criteria remains the same; however, the duration of the law was clarified to ensure continuity for existing agreements after the 10-year exemption period ends.

TECHNICAL

Added official Enrolled Bill formatting, including spaces for the Governor's signature, the Great Seal, and proofreader signatures.

Added a new Section 2.3 to clarify that the 10-year expiration applies only to the tax exemption, not to any Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreements already in effect.

Reorganized the bill text to place the new Section 2.3 after the original Section 2, correcting the numbering sequence.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 49

Mar 20, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 146

executive

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Ways and Means

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)

senate

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Budget and Taxation

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors