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SB 851 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Anne Arundel County - Property Tax Credit - Rural Legacy Program

SB 851 creates a property tax credit for Anne Arundel County homeowners who own land in a designated Rural Legacy Area and have sold development rights under the county's Rural Legacy Program. The credit reduces the county property tax bill for qualifying properties, specifically targeting landowners who preserved their land by selling development rights rather than building on it. This policy change, effective June 1, 2026, applies only to properties enrolled in the Rural Legacy Program and directly benefits landowners who participate in the program. The bill amends Maryland's property tax code to authorize this county-specific credit.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit reducing county taxes for qualifying landowners preserving rural areas via Rural Legacy Program, providing direct tax relief.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes land conservation via property tax credits for landowners preserving rural areas through Rural Legacy Program, directly supporting environmental conservation.95% confidence
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 6, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Anne Arundel County - Property Tax Credit - Rural Legacy Program → Third - Anne Arundel County - Property Tax Credit - Rural Legacy Program · 2 edits
MINOR
This bill has advanced from its first reading to adoption and is now ready for final approval by the Governor and legislative leaders. The text includes new administrative details like a favorable committee report and specific dates for the second reading, while the core legal text regarding property tax credits remains substantively unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability have not changed; the legal provisions for property tax credits are identical to the previous version.
TECHNICAL

Added administrative metadata including a favorable committee report, the date of the second reading, and signature lines for the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker.

Removed the 'First Reading' date and introductory header text, as the bill has progressed to the adoption stage.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 2, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

47–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 49
Mar 2, 2026
D Democratic36
35 Yea 1
97% Yea
R Republican13
12 Yea 1
92% 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 619
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 (134-0-8)
house of delegates
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
Referred Ways and Means
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (47-0-2)
senate
Feb 6, 2026
Committee
First Reading Budget and Taxation
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.