Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 193: Washington County - Sales and Use Tax Exemption - Target Redevelopment Area

SB 193 creates a sales and use tax exemption for construction materials and warehousing equipment purchased specifically for use in Washington County's designated Target Redevelopment Area (bounded by Robinwood Drive, Mount Aetna Road, and Yale Drive within an Office/Research/Industry zoning district). Businesses buying these items for that area can avoid the tax if they provide the vendor with Comptroller-issued eligibility proof. The exemption is valid from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2036, after which it automatically expires without further legislative action. This directly affects developers and businesses operating within the defined redevelopment zone.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates sales tax exemption for business development in Target Redevelopment Area, providing tax relief to stimulate economic growth in designated zone.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 320: Anne Arundel County - Property Tax Credit - Rural Legacy Program

HB 320 creates a property tax credit for Anne Arundel County landowners who sell development rights under the Rural Legacy Program. It allows the county to grant a credit against the county property tax for real property located in a designated Rural Legacy Area (as defined in Maryland’s Natural Resources Article) where the owner has sold development rights. This directly affects rural landowners participating in the Rural Legacy Program who choose to restrict future development on their land. The credit replaces an existing provision and becomes effective for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit for rural landowners, reducing their tax burden under the Rural Legacy Program, directly providing tax relief.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes land conservation via tax credits for selling development rights under Rural Legacy Program, directly preserving natural resources and open space per Maryland's Natural Resources Article.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 109: Anne Arundel County - Residential Property Tax Payment Deferrals - Eligibility

SB 109 would expand eligibility for property tax payment deferrals in Anne Arundel County to include members of certain military reserve components (like National Guard reservists) and members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health Service. Currently, deferrals are available to seniors (62+), permanently disabled residents with specific federal benefits, or those meeting income requirements; this bill adds these two new federal service groups to the eligible categories. The change would allow qualifying members to delay paying county property taxes on their primary residence without needing to prove additional disability or age. The bill requires the county governing body to adopt a deferral program following specific rules and would take effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax deferral eligibility for military reservists and federal service members, providing tax relief to qualifying groups.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds National Guard reservists (veterans) to property tax deferral eligibility, expanding financial benefits for military service members.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 3: Higher Education - Student Financial Assistance - Dependents of State or Local Public Safety Employees (Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act)

HB 3, the Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act, exempts financially dependent children of state or local public safety employees who died while on duty from paying out-of-state or out-of-county tuition at Maryland public colleges. It directly affects children of firefighters, police officers, EMTs, correctional officers, and Maryland National Guard members who were residents of Maryland at the time of their death. The bill amends Maryland law to define "public safety employee" broadly and requires the Commission to create implementing regulations. The exemption applies to public higher education institutions statewide and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts dependent children from tuition costs, increasing state spending on higher education for public safety families through fiscal allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts dependents of fallen public safety employees from out-of-state tuition, expanding higher education access for a specific vulnerable group.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 379: Recovery Residence Grant Program - Funding

This bill ensures Maryland's Recovery Residence Grant Program receives $500,000 annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2030 by requiring this funding be included in the state's annual budget. It directly supports recovery residences (such as sober living facilities) that provide housing and support services for people in addiction recovery. The law updates existing funding rules to extend the annual budget requirement through 2030, preventing potential funding gaps. This creates a stable funding mechanism for these community-based recovery programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual $500k state budget allocation for recovery residences, ensuring stable funding for essential addiction support services through 2030.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds recovery residences for addiction rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform by supporting rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds addiction recovery residences (mental health support) via mandatory annual $500k budget allocation, preventing funding gaps for critical healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds recovery residences (sober living housing) for addiction recovery, directly supporting affordable housing initiatives via annual budget allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 561: Maryland Child Care Credential Program - Extension of Funding

HB 561 extends annual funding for Maryland's Child Care Credential Program, requiring the Governor to appropriate specific amounts starting in fiscal year 2026. It mandates $4 million for FY2021 (already enacted), a 10% annual increase through FY2024, and locks funding at the FY2024 level beginning in FY2028. The program directly supports child care workers pursuing staff or administrator credentials by providing achievement bonuses, training reimbursements, or vouchers. This bill establishes a fixed funding structure to sustain credentialing opportunities for early childhood educators.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates specific annual appropriations ($4M FY2021, 10% increases through FY2024, locked funding from FY2028) for child care credential program, securing public service funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 500: Sales and Use Tax - Precious Metal Bullion or Coins - Exemption

HB 500 removes two requirements that previously limited the sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion and coins. Specifically, it eliminates the $1,000 minimum sale price and the requirement that sales must occur at the Baltimore Convention Center. The bill expands the exemption to cover all qualifying precious metal bullion (refined metal where value depends on metal content) and historically used coins, while still excluding jewelry and art. This change directly affects buyers and sellers of these items by making the exemption available for more transactions without location or price restrictions. The exemption will apply to all qualifying sales starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands sales tax exemption for precious metals, providing tax relief for qualifying buyers/sellers, directly affecting tax policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 410: Public Libraries - State Library Resource Center - Funding

SB 410 adjusts Maryland's funding formula for public libraries by increasing per-resident allocations for both regional resource centers and the State Library Resource Center. It raises the regional funding rate from $9.59 per resident in 2025 to $9.79 in 2026 and $9.99 annually starting in 2027. For the State Library Resource Center, it increases funding from $1.97 per resident in 2024 to $2.07 for 2025-2027, then gradually rising to $2.64 per resident by 2032 and beyond. These changes directly affect all regional libraries receiving state funding and the statewide State Library Resource Center. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for public libraries via higher per-resident allocations, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases library funding, enhancing educational access and resources for K-12 communities through expanded library services and infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 671: Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman - Mandatory Appropriation

HB 671 requires Maryland's Governor to allocate at least 3% of funds collected from a Medicaid quality assessment on qualifying nursing facilities (45+ beds operating in the state) to fund the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman starting in fiscal year 2027. This directly affects nursing facilities that pay the assessment and ensures dedicated, supplemental funding for the Ombudsman office, which advocates for residents' rights in long-term care settings. The bill updates existing law to mandate this specific allocation from the assessment pool, specifying that these funds must be "in addition to" and not replace existing Ombudsman funding. It does not change the assessment rate (capped at 6% of facility revenue) or the reporting requirements for the Department.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 3% of Medicaid assessment funds to directly fund Ombudsman office, allocating existing revenue to strengthen advocacy for long-term care residents through dedicated budgeting.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds Ombudsman office to advocate for nursing home residents' rights, strengthening patient protections in long-term care under Medicaid program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes