Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 191: State Designations - State Song - "The Heart of Maryland"

SB 191 designates "The Heart of Maryland" (written by Jayla Elise) as Maryland's official state song, replacing "Maryland, My Maryland" which was repealed in 2021. The bill renumbers relevant sections in Maryland's code and includes the song's full lyrics in law. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects all Maryland residents as the new unifying anthem. This is a procedural designation with no policy or funding changes.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 135: State Designations - State Shark - Megalodon

This bill designates the extinct prehistoric shark *Megalodon* (not a living species) as Maryland's official state shark under Section 7-310 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. It directly affects state symbolism and educational materials by formally adding this designation to the state code, effective October 1, 2026. The bill amends the legal code through renumbering and inserts the specific designation ("THE MEGALODON (OTODUS MEGALODON) IS THE STATE SHARK"), with no policy or funding changes. It is purely ceremonial, referencing Maryland’s fossil history and the Calvert Marine Museum’s collection of megalodon teeth.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 217: General Provisions - Commemorative Month - Maryland Native Plant Month

HB 217 designates May as Maryland Native Plant Month through an annual gubernatorial proclamation. The bill requires the Governor to issue this proclamation each year, urging educational organizations, environmental groups, and businesses to host events and activities during May. It defines "native plants" as species naturally occurring in Maryland without human intervention (per Agriculture Article §10-401). This commemorative measure has no regulatory or funding impact - it solely recognizes the environmental benefits of native plants through annual public awareness.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 173: State Designations - State Natural Science Museum - Natural History Society of Maryland

HB 173 formally designates the Natural History Society of Maryland as Maryland's official State Natural Science Museum by amending the state code. The bill renumbers existing sections and adds a new provision (Section 7-326) stating this designation, which takes effect October 1, 2026. This procedural bill directly affects the Natural History Society of Maryland by granting it the official title under state law. It does not create new funding, programs, or regulatory requirements - only establishes the museum's recognized status within Maryland's legal framework.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 588: Missing and Murdered American Indian and Alaskan Native Women and Girls - Day of Awareness and Reporting Requirement

HB 588 designates May 5 as an annual "Missing and Murdered American Indian and Alaskan Native Women and Girls Awareness Day" for the Governor to proclaim. It requires the Department of State Police to submit a report to the Maryland General Assembly by December 1, 2026, on whether law enforcement agencies collect sufficient data about violence against these communities. The report must include policy recommendations to improve data collection methods, coordinate with federal agencies during investigations, and raise public awareness. This bill directly affects state agencies and aims to address gaps in tracking violence against American Indian and Alaskan Native women and girls, who face disproportionately high rates of violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 524: General Provisions - Commemorative Months - African Heritage Month

HB 524 designates September as African Heritage Month in Maryland by requiring the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing African Americans' contributions to the state. The bill directs the Governor to urge educational and cultural organizations to host programs and activities during this month. It updates Maryland's legal code (specifically renumbering sections in Article 7 of the General Provisions) to include this requirement, effective July 1, 2026. This is a procedural recognition measure with no new funding or regulatory changes.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 458: General Provisions - Commemorative Months - Water Safety Month

This bill requires Maryland's Governor to annually proclaim May as Water Safety Month. It directs the Governor to urge educational and civic organizations to host events focused on drowning prevention and safe water practices. The law modifies Maryland's code to establish this annual designation, taking effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects the Governor's office and organizations coordinating public safety awareness.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 495: Criminal Procedure - Immigration Arrest - Immunity in Connection With Court Proceeding

HB 495 provides legal immunity from immigration arrests for individuals attending court hearings as parties, witnesses, or as family/household members of such individuals. It prohibits immigration arrests during travel to, at, or from court unless authorized by a judicial warrant. Violations of this provision are punishable as misdemeanors (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine) or felonies (up to 4 years in jail or $5,000 fine), and affected individuals can seek legal remedies including injunctions and attorney fees. The law directly affects people participating in court proceedings and their close relatives living in the same household, aiming to prevent immigration enforcement from disrupting court access.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 308: General Provisions - Commemorative Months - Muslim American Heritage and Jewish American Heritage Months

SB 308 requires the Governor of Maryland to annually proclaim January as Muslim American Heritage Month and May as Jewish American Heritage Month. The bill mandates that these proclamations urge educational and cultural organizations to host programs and activities during these months. It amends Maryland law by adding specific sections (7-501 and 7-505) to the Annotated Code, establishing the annual recognition process. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects the Governor’s office and eligible organizations. This is a commemorative measure with no new funding or regulatory requirements.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 620: Commemorative Months - Maryland Climate Education Month

HB 620 designates April as "Maryland Climate Education Month" each year. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation urging Maryland residents of all ages to participate in climate education activities and take actions supporting the state’s climate goals. The bill does not create new regulations or funding but establishes a symbolic annual observance. It directly affects the Governor (through the proclamation requirement) and Maryland residents (through the call to participate). The key mechanism is the mandatory annual proclamation with specific educational and action-oriented guidance.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 15, 2026

HB 1594: Veterans' Discounts Act

HB 1594, the Veterans' Discounts Act, requires Maryland government agencies to waive certain statutory fees for veterans. It applies to fees related to agricultural licenses, business permits, environmental regulations, natural resources access, and public safety services across multiple departments. Agencies must adopt specific regulations before implementing these fee waivers. The bill formalizes existing practices by creating a clear process for veterans to access reduced fees on government services, without expanding eligibility or creating new benefits.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 15, 2026

HB 1590: Alcoholic Beverages - Class 8 Farm Brewery and Class 10 Farm Distillery Licenses

HB 1590 establishes a new Class 10 farm distillery license in Maryland, allowing eligible farms to distill, bottle, and sell distilled spirits (like whiskey or rum) produced on-site. It directly affects farms holding Class 8 farm brewery licenses or seeking to expand into distilling, requiring them to use Maryland-grown agricultural products (e.g., corn, fruit) and engage in agritourism activities like farm tours or hosting events. Key provisions include allowing sales to wholesalers or other states, permitting multiple licenses at one location under specific conditions, and exempting farms from strict local zoning requirements for these licenses. The bill also sets a production cap of 100,000 gallons annually for distilled spirits and modifies existing rules for food service and license types.

Bill results