Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 680: Children's Cabinet Fund - Renaming and Funding for Grants to Local Management Boards

HB 680 renames Maryland's "Children's Cabinet Fund" to the "Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund" and mandates specific annual funding increases for grants to local management boards. Starting in fiscal year 2028, the Governor must appropriate $3 million above the 2027 level, with $2 million increases each subsequent year through 2031. These funds support local boards in implementing coordinated services for children and families, including youth development, prevention, crisis intervention, and reducing out-of-home placements. The bill directly affects local management boards that coordinate child welfare services, requiring them to align with state and local plans when applying for these grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual funding increases ($3M+ starting 2028) for children's services grants, directly expanding state budget allocations for public programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 877: Baltimore City - Stop Sign Monitoring Systems Pilot Program - 41st Legislative District

SB 877 authorizes Baltimore City to pilot stop sign monitoring systems (cameras that capture violations) in the Mt. Washington neighborhood school zones, specifically within the 41st legislative district. It requires that 50% of fines collected from violations caught by these systems be directed to Baltimore City's local management board for youth programming and services exclusively for youth living in or attending schools within the 41st district. The bill also aligns Baltimore City's rules with existing Maryland law for similar programs in Prince George’s County and Takoma Park. This pilot program is limited to specific school zones and mandates dedicated funding for local youth services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly allocates 50% of traffic fine revenue to youth programming services in the 41st district, funding essential community programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill implements stop sign monitoring cameras in school zones to enhance traffic safety, directly aligning with transportation safety initiatives per bill summary.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 704: Maryland Estate Tax – Qualified Agricultural Property – Transfer to Limited Liability Company

This bill allows Maryland estates to transfer qualified agricultural property (farmland used primarily for farming) to a limited liability company (LLC) without triggering estate tax recapture under specific conditions. It modifies the estate tax exclusion to allow up to $5 million of qualified agricultural property value to be excluded from taxation when passed to a "qualified recipient" (a farmer continuing farm use). Crucially, if the property is transferred to an LLC owned solely by qualified recipients and remains used for farming for at least 10 years after the decedent's death, it avoids the standard 10-year recapture rule that would otherwise apply if farming stopped. The provision applies to estates of individuals dying after June 30, 2026, directly affecting farm owners who use LLC structures to manage inherited agricultural property.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates estate tax exclusion for high-value agricultural properties, reducing tax burden for wealthy landowners, aligning with 'tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 673: State Procurement - Apprenticeship Program Accountability and Completion

SB 673 requires state contractors working on covered projects (like construction or public works) to use registered apprenticeship programs that meet minimum completion rates set by the Maryland Department of Labor. Contractors must verify compliance through payments to the State Apprenticeship Training Fund or direct participation in approved programs. The bill amends existing procurement laws to hold contractors accountable for apprenticeship program effectiveness, aiming to improve workforce development outcomes. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all relevant state procurement contracts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires contractor payments into State Apprenticeship Training Fund, directing state funds toward workforce development program funding.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state contractors to use registered apprenticeship programs meeting minimum completion rates, strengthening workforce development and employment standards through accountability measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 859: State Procurement and Personnel - Liquidated Damages Documentation Requirements and State Fiscal Leadership Capacity

SB 859 sets new qualifications and reporting requirements for chief financial officers (CFOs) in Maryland state agencies receiving at least $2 billion annually in state and federal funding. It requires these CFOs to hold specific credentials - such as a CPA with 5 years of fiscal management experience, a relevant master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or 10 years of total experience - and mandates they submit detailed financial data to the Comptroller’s Office by year-end. The bill also allows the Secretary of Budget to grant pay plan exemptions to help recruit and retain qualified CFOs. These changes apply only to large executive branch units, not all state employees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates CFO qualifications and reporting to enhance fiscal oversight in large state agencies, promoting fiscal responsibility per Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 305: Qualifying Nonprofit Organizations - Incarcerated Individual Training and Reentry Grant Fund - Extension

SB 305 extends funding for nonprofit organizations providing automotive repair training and reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland. It extends the grant period from fiscal years 2026-2028 to 2026-2029, authorizing $1 million annually for qualifying nonprofits that train at least 50 individuals yearly in auto repair and achieve a 50% job placement rate for participants. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention administers the grants, requiring nonprofits to submit annual reports on fund usage, participant numbers, and employment outcomes. This bill directly affects nonprofits meeting specific service criteria and supports employment pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $1 million annually for nonprofit reentry programs, directly funding a social service through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends funding for job training/reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals, directly reducing recidivism through employment opportunities and rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends funding for job training and placement programs targeting formerly incarcerated individuals, directly advancing employment outcomes and workforce reentry through mandated job placement rates.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 625: Human-Relevant Research Fund - Collection of Contributions - Responsible Entity

HB 625 shifts responsibility for collecting fees from research facilities to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, replacing the current system under the Department of Health. It requires facilities submitting USDA Form 7023 (for animal testing) to pay annual contributions based on animal count: $5,000 for ≤100 animals, $10,000 for 101-500, $55,000 for 501-5,000, and $75,000 for over 5,000. Funds collected will support the Human-Relevant Research Fund established under Maryland’s Economic Development Article. The bill repeals existing health code provisions and creates new agriculture code sections for this fee structure, effective October 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes mandatory annual fees ($5k-$75k) based on animal counts, directing collected funds to a specific research fund, creating new revenue and fiscal allocation.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Human-Relevant Research Fund to support medical research alternatives, advancing healthcare innovation through funding animal testing fee shifts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 828: State Finance - Delinquent Federal Funds (Federal Obligations Enforcement Act)

SB 828 authorizes Maryland's Central Collection Unit (CCU) to collect delinquent federal funds owed to the state, including placing liens on federal property within Maryland and directing the Comptroller to withhold state payments to the federal government. It requires the Board of Public Works to determine if the federal government is delinquent in paying funds owed to Maryland, triggering these enforcement actions. The bill amends Maryland law to specify that the CCU may collect up to the full amount of delinquent federal funds, and mandates that the Comptroller withhold state payments when the CCU refers such funds. This establishes a formal process for enforcing federal payment obligations to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill secures state revenue by enforcing collection of overdue federal funds, strengthening state budget management without altering tax rates or spending.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 519: Earned Income Tax Credit - Assistance Program Implementation Delay and Study

SB 519 delays Maryland's Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance Program implementation until 2029, instead of 2024. It requires the Comptroller's Office to study outreach efforts by December 31, 2030, to help low-income residents claim the credit they qualify for but often miss. The bill also directs the Department of Service and Civic Innovation to recommend ways to assist low-income residents in claiming tax credits. This legislation postpones the program's start date while mandating studies to improve future outreach and participation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDelays EITC implementation until 2029, restricting immediate tax relief for low-income residents instead of advancing the credit program.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 933: Sales and Use Tax - Certificates Indicating Multiple Points of Use - Alterations

HB 933 simplifies sales tax collection for businesses purchasing digital codes, digital products, or taxable services used across multiple locations. It allows vendors to accept a "fully completed" certificate (requiring basic business details like names, addresses, and registration numbers) without needing Comptroller approval, relieving vendors from collecting tax on those transactions. The certificate remains valid for all future sales of qualifying digital products/services to the same buyer until revoked in writing. This applies retroactively to past transactions, streamlining tax compliance for businesses operating across jurisdictions or reselling digital goods.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces state tax revenue by exempting digital transactions from sales tax collection, weakening tax collection efforts without requiring Comptroller approval.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes