SB 765 creates an "Heirs Protection Program" administered by Maryland's State Tax Sale Ombudsman to protect heirs who inherit homes from property tax sales. It allows heirs (including those not yet recorded as title holders) to become the legal owner of an inherited dwelling, preventing tax sales and enabling them to remain in their homes. The bill establishes an Heirs Protection Fund financed by state and county governments to support the program, including outreach, grants, and information dissemination. It also expands eligibility for homeowner and homestead tax credits to include qualifying heirs who haven’t yet updated land records, under specific conditions. These changes aim to prevent displacement of families after a homeowner’s death.
HB 1148 creates an Heirs Protection Program to prevent tax sales of inherited homes. It allows heirs (people who inherit a home after a homeowner's death) to become the official property owner, stay in their homes, and access property tax relief without losing the home to tax sales. The program is funded by a new Heirs Protection Fund financed by state and county governments, and requires the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to provide outreach and grants. The bill also expands eligibility for certain property tax credits to include heirs who aren't yet listed as the official property owner, under specific conditions.
HB 1243 exempts all personal property (including manufacturing inventory) owned by small manufacturers in Prince George's County from property tax, specifically targeting businesses with 50 or fewer employees. This policy change directly affects qualifying small manufacturing businesses in the county by eliminating their tax burden on tools, machinery, raw materials, and finished goods. The bill amends existing tax code to create a new exemption under Section 7-226.1, effective June 1, 2026, applying to all taxable years starting after June 30, 2026. It does not alter tax rates but removes property tax liability for qualifying businesses' operational assets.
HB 1321 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program to protect certain low-income families from enrollment freezes. It prohibits enrollment freezes from applying to families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, TANF, children on Social Security Income, or homeless children - ensuring these groups maintain access. If a freeze occurs, the State Department of Education must create a waitlist prioritizing these protected individuals. The bill also limits copay increases for specific participants and requires the Department to identify applicants eligible for free prekindergarten.
HB 1280 directs Maryland's Comptroller to study whether a program providing monthly payments to caregivers for specific family members would be feasible. The study must examine economic impacts like potential job growth, increased tax revenue, and reduced public benefits use, while assessing costs and funding options. It requires collaboration with the Department of Human Services and agencies like the Department of Aging, with a final report due by July 1, 2027. The bill expires June 30, 2028, and does not create the program itself.
HB 854 establishes a state grant program to fund renovations and improvements at eligible nonpublic special education schools in Maryland. The program provides grants for classroom renovations, safety upgrades to residential facilities, health/safety accessibility work, infrastructure modernization, and new construction to meet state standards. Eligible schools must operate with a licensed residential treatment center, offer an approved curriculum (high school credits or K-8 programs), and serve students placed through state education programs. The Interagency Commission on School Construction will administer the program, with funding proposed annually in the state budget.
SB 767 would allow Baltimore City and Maryland counties or municipalities to create a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented at fair market value to small businesses located in two specific zones: Arts and Entertainment Districts (under Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Economic Development Article) or designated Main Street Maryland communities. Local governments would set the credit amount, duration, eligibility rules, and application process through their own ordinances. The credit applies to property taxes on qualifying buildings and takes effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026. This bill directly affects small businesses renting commercial space in these designated areas and the local governments managing property tax policy.
HB 742 requires the Governor to include $450,000 annually in Maryland's budget for the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program during fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2028-2030. This funding supports grants to help local counties and child care resource centers establish and operate family child care programs. The program directly benefits family child care providers by providing start-up assistance for materials, curriculum, and renovations. Administered through partnerships between counties and child care resource centers, the bill mandates specific annual appropriations to expand access to licensed family child care services.
HB 846 exempts property owned by the City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. from property tax when used primarily for public social, recreational, or entertainment purposes. It applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2023, requiring the State, Washington County, and the City to refund any excess property tax paid during that period. The bill modifies Maryland’s property tax code (specifically Sections 7-251 and 7-524) to establish this exemption and refund process. This directly affects the City of Hagerstown and the sports facility organization by reducing their future property tax burden and securing refunds for prior overpayments.
HB 1540 repeals the 2028 termination date for annual state funding required for the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. The bill ensures the state will continue appropriating $10 million each fiscal year (previously set to end in 2028) to support the center's operations and transition. This directly affects the University of Maryland Medical System Corporation and Prince George's County, which must provide matching funds totaling $208 million for capital construction. The funding is specifically designated to maintain the medical center's financial viability, improve healthcare access, and prevent operating losses. The change removes the fixed end date, making the funding permanent unless future legislation alters it.
