Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 817: Real Property - Residential Sales - Communications During Appraisal Process

SB 817 requires appraisers to notify home buyers, sellers, or their agents if a property's appraisal value may be lower than the contract price or refinance estimate. It allows these parties to submit verified comparable sales data within two days to support the agreed price, provided the data follows a standard format. Appraisers must include a detailed addendum in their final report documenting all submitted information, the notification dates, and whether the data changed the valuation. The law applies to residential real estate appraisals in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 780: Wicomico County - Sunday Hunting Time Restrictions - Repeal

HB 780 would repeal a specific time restriction on Sunday hunting in Wicomico County, removing the current limit that allowed hunting only until 10:30 a.m. This change directly affects hunters using private property and public land designated for Sunday hunting in Wicomico County. The bill eliminates the provision requiring hunting to end by 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, allowing hunting to continue beyond that time. The repeal applies to all Sunday hunting seasons for game birds and mammals under Maryland's hunting regulations.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 856: Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses - Eligibility

SB 856 amends Maryland's driver's license eligibility requirements for provisional and original licenses. It lowers the minimum age for provisional licenses from 16 years 6 months to 16 years (with a 9-month waiting period after obtaining a learner's permit), adjusts age thresholds from 19 to 18 years for certain requirements, and modifies driving practice rules - including reducing nighttime driving hours for some age groups. The bill directly affects teen drivers (under 18) and young drivers aged 18-24, requiring specific classroom instruction, supervised driving hours, and night driving practice. These changes apply to all applicants seeking their first driver's license through the standard pathway.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1082: Large Load Customers - Data Centers and Rate Schedule Requirements

HB 1082 modifies Maryland's electric rate rules to specifically include data centers under "large load customer" requirements. It exempts data centers from the standard 100-megawatt demand threshold that applies to other large commercial/industrial customers, allowing them to qualify for special rate schedules regardless of their size. Electric utilities must submit these new rate schedules to the Public Service Commission by January 1, 2027, with provisions requiring data centers to cover costs of infrastructure buildout and protecting residential customers from cost-shifting. The bill ensures data centers must still meet contractual commitments but removes size-based barriers for their rate eligibility.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 896: Vehicle Laws - Registration Fees - Alterations

SB 896 updates Maryland's vehicle registration fee structure for multiple vehicle classes, directly affecting all vehicle owners in the state. It increases annual fees for passenger cars (e.g., from $50.50 to $80.50 for lighter vehicles after July 2025), for-hire vehicles (e.g., rideshares from $150 to $180), ambulances/funeral vehicles (from $100 to $130), and motorcycles (from $35 to $65). Truck fees are revised based on gross weight, with a new $63.75 base fee for smaller trucks under 7,000 lbs and updated rates for construction vehicles. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, as specified in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 736: Criminal Law - Obscene Matter - Visual Representation of Child

SB 736 updates Maryland's criminal law regarding visual representations of children. It raises the age limit from 16 to 18 for material depicting children in sexual contexts or abuse, making possession or viewing such material illegal for children under 18. Penalties increase significantly, with first offenses carrying up to 10 years in prison or $25,000 in fines, and repeat offenses becoming felonies with up to 20 years in prison or $50,000 fines. The bill also allows individuals depicted in such material to file civil lawsuits for damages (including up to $250,000 in punitive damages) without needing a prior criminal conviction, and requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports on enforcement and technology changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1040: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Mandated Uses - Climate Change Programs

HB 1040 mandates that Maryland's Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocate at least $365 million annually from fiscal years 2028 through 2032 specifically to climate change programs. This includes $100 million for incentives to replace gas stoves, resistive electric heating, and electric water heaters with energy-efficient alternatives like induction stoves and heat pumps; $50 million for expanding solar energy deployment through community solar and equity programs; and $25 million for electric vehicle infrastructure and zero-emission vehicle incentives. The bill directly affects Maryland residents (through home appliance rebates) and businesses (via solar and EV programs) by funding concrete climate action. These allocations are mandatory, ensuring dedicated state funding for measurable climate impact reduction over the specified period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1065: Coal Combustion By-Product Materials - Grant Program and Procurement Preference

HB 1065 establishes a grant program for Maryland manufacturers of cement, concrete, or construction materials that use coal ash waste (like fly ash or bottom ash) as feedstock. It requires the Department of the Environment to award grants to eligible manufacturers meeting specific criteria, including using Maryland-sourced coal by-products, creating jobs in communities affected by coal waste, and demonstrating measurable greenhouse gas reductions compared to conventional materials. The bill also mandates that all state government agencies give procurement preference to bids that incorporate these coal by-products. This directly affects cement/concrete manufacturers, state purchasing decisions, and communities near coal waste generation sites. The policy change focuses on repurposing existing coal waste for construction materials through financial incentives and procurement rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 909: Vehicle Laws - Fully Autonomous Vehicles

This bill establishes standards and requirements for fully autonomous vehicles operating on Maryland highways without a human driver. It defines key terms such as fully autonomous vehicles, automated driving systems, and operational design domains to clarify what qualifies under the law. The legislation requires these vehicles to safely reach a minimal risk condition if the system fails and ensures that data collected by them is subject to Maryland's Online Data Privacy Act. Additionally, the bill updates existing commercial and transportation laws to include specific provisions for autonomous vehicle operations and data handling.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 788: Real Property - Recordation of Deeds - Certification of Preparation

SB 788 changes Maryland's deed recordation rules by allowing property owners to certify their own deeds (without an attorney) as an alternative to attorney certification. It prohibits anyone from claiming that attorney certification is the *only* valid method for recording most deeds, and requires circuit court clerks to accept deeds with either type of certification. This directly affects property owners, attorneys, and county clerks handling real estate transactions. The bill specifically applies to deeds (excluding mortgages and deeds of trust), ensuring clerks cannot refuse to record a deed solely because it lacks attorney certification.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1104: Residential Solar Energy Systems - Local Inspections and Permitting

HB 1104 requires Maryland counties and municipalities to implement specific solar permitting software by August 1, 2027, for residential solar systems, energy storage, and electrical upgrades. The bill mandates that remote inspections (via video or photo) replace in-person checks for these systems, capping remote inspection costs at $100 and requiring completion within standard timelines. It also sets a $200 maximum fee for residential solar permits and prohibits manual permit reviews after software approval. This bill directly affects homeowners installing solar systems and local governments managing permitting processes by standardizing and streamlining the approval workflow.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 871: Civil Actions - Punitive Damage Awards - Surcharge

SB 871 changes how punitive damages are awarded in Maryland civil cases. It requires plaintiffs to prove "gross negligence" (e.g., willful misconduct or repeated harm) by clear and convincing evidence before punitive damages can be awarded. The bill also imposes a 50% surcharge on all punitive damage awards, which must be paid by the defendant and deposited into the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund (an education-focused fund), separate from the amount paid to the plaintiff. Juries cannot be informed about this surcharge, and the law applies only to cases filed after October 1, 2026.

Bill results