Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 518: Maryland Financial Empowerment Center Network Pilot Program - Establishment

SB 518 establishes a 3-year pilot program to create a statewide network of free financial empowerment centers across Maryland, operating under the Office of the Comptroller. These centers will provide one-on-one financial counseling in English and Spanish (and other required languages) to help residents increase savings, pay down debt, access banking, and improve credit scores. The program requires counselors to complete specific training and will be funded through state budget appropriations for fiscal years 2028 and 2029, ending September 30, 2029. The pilot targets Maryland residents seeking accessible financial guidance, particularly in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds new financial counseling program via state budget appropriations, supporting fiscal management through public service funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 766: Taxes - Whistleblower Reward Program - Alterations

SB 766 expands Maryland's tax whistleblower program to reward individuals who report significant tax violations. It directly affects whistleblowers who provide original information about tax cases involving: - Individuals with federal adjusted gross income of $250,000+ (or married couples filing jointly), - Businesses with $2 million+ in annual gross receipts, - Where taxes in dispute exceed $250,000. Key mechanisms include allowing the Attorney General and state agencies to pursue enforcement actions using whistleblower tips, requiring information sharing between agencies, and setting awards at 15-30% of collected taxes/penalties. The bill modifies existing tax enforcement rules to broaden eligibility for rewards while maintaining strict requirements for "original information."

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands whistleblower program to target tax evasion by high earners/businesses, increasing revenue collection and closing loopholes per fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 352: Motor Vehicles - Special Registration Plates - Old Line Plates (Old Line License Plate Program Act of 2026)

SB 352 creates a special "Old Line Plate" program for Maryland motor vehicles, allowing owners of qualifying vehicles (passenger cars, light trucks under 10,000 lbs, and multipurpose vehicles) to obtain registration plates with numeric-only license numbers (1-5 digits, no letters or leading zeros). The Motor Vehicle Administration will auction rights to specific numbers, with proceeds funding transportation costs. Owners can transfer these number rights under strict rules (e.g., 180-day holding period, limited annual transfers) but cannot claim ownership of the plate itself. The program takes effect October 1, 2026, with the first auction by December 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill generates revenue via plate number auctions to fund transportation costs, directly advancing government spending on essential infrastructure as per 'funds essential programs' indicator.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuctioning plate number rights funds transportation costs, directly supporting infrastructure funding through dedicated revenue.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 23: Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program and Fund - Establishment

This bill creates Maryland's GREEN Loan Program, providing no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofits for solar panels, energy-efficient building upgrades (like new windows or HVAC systems), and related planning. Nonprofits must contribute 10% of project costs, with priority given to those with annual budgets under $1 million. The program is funded through state budget appropriations and transfers from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center. Loans require repayment over time with deferred payment options, and must demonstrate long-term energy cost savings exceeding the loan's total cost.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunded via state budget appropriations for nonprofit energy projects, advancing fiscal support for green initiatives through public spending.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes no-interest loans for nonprofits to install solar panels and energy-efficient upgrades, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and efficiency through state-funded program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates no-interest loans for nonprofits to adopt solar/energy efficiency, promoting clean energy and reducing emissions. Funded by state and Clean Energy Center.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 270: Public Service Commission - Full Costs and Benefits Analysis of Sources of Electricity Generation

SB 270 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to analyze the full costs to ratepayers of different electricity generation options, including natural gas, nuclear, and offshore wind (specifically 8,500 MW capacity). The analysis must compare costs under three scenarios: natural gas alone, nuclear alone, and offshore wind with energy storage, while accounting for wind's intermittency and reliability costs. It mandates using a standardized cost model to identify the most cost-effective energy sources for ratepayers. The Commission must submit findings and policy recommendations to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2027. This bill directly affects Maryland electricity consumers by informing future energy policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates cost analysis to identify most cost-effective energy source, promoting fiscal responsibility for ratepayers via standardized cost modeling.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates analysis including offshore wind (8,500 MW) alongside fossil/nuclear, requiring cost comparison under scenarios that position renewables as a viable option for ratepayers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 455: Economic Development - Transformational Project Financing Program - Establishment

SB 455 establishes the Transformational Project Financing Program to help local governments fund large-scale development projects in designated areas. It allows counties or cities to apply to the Maryland Economic Development Corporation for "State-supported development district" status, requiring them to redirect property tax increases (tax increment) from these areas into a special fund instead of the general budget. This fund finances projects in priority areas like sustainable communities, transit-oriented developments, and designated enterprise zones. The bill creates new rules for calculating state revenue contributions and managing bond proceeds specifically for these designated districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects property tax increments to a special fund for development projects, promoting targeted fiscal management and strategic spending on priority areas.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax increment fund for development projects in sustainable communities, directly supporting housing development priorities without restricting tenant rights or affordability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 520: Property Tax - Charter Counties - Application of County Tax Limitation on Public Safety Budget

SB 520 allows charter counties in Maryland to set property tax rates above their charter limits - via simple majority vote - to fund public safety budgets (like police and fire services). It requires that any excess tax revenue collected beyond the charter limit must be allocated solely to public safety, not other county programs. The bill applies only to charter counties (e.g., Baltimore County) and mandates annual reporting to the Governor and legislature on tax rates and revenue usage. This changes existing tax rules by creating a specific exemption for public safety funding while maintaining other budget constraints.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables increased property tax revenue allocation specifically for public safety budgets, advancing funding for essential services under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly funds public safety (police/fire) via property tax increases with dedicated allocation, advancing law enforcement resources under criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 764: Education - Minimum Wage for Education Support Professionals - Report on Estimated Cost

SB 764 establishes a minimum wage of $25.00 per hour for education support professionals in Maryland public schools, effective July 1, 2028. It directly affects county boards of education (which must pay this wage) and noncertificated school staff in non-supervisory bargaining units, such as aides, secretaries, and maintenance workers. The bill requires the State Department of Education to report by December 1, 2026, on the cost of implementing this wage, broken down by school system. It does not change current wages but mandates a new hourly rate for these positions starting in 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $25/hr wage for education staff, increasing state/local government spending on public education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly increases wages for school support staff (aides, secretaries, maintenance), strengthening educational workforce compensation and funding access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly establishes $25/hr minimum wage for education support staff, increasing wages and protecting worker compensation under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 25: Income Tax - Cybersecurity Technology and Service Tax Credit - Alterations

SB 25 creates the "Buy Maryland Cybersecurity Tax Credit," allowing Maryland businesses to claim a 50% tax credit (up to $50,000 annually) for purchasing cybersecurity technology or services from Maryland-based cybersecurity companies meeting specific criteria. The credit is refundable (businesses can get cash if the credit exceeds taxes owed) and requires sellers to be Maryland-headquartered, small businesses (under $10 million revenue), and/or owned by minorities, women, veterans, or located in designated business zones. It limits total credits per seller to $1 million annually and ends all new credits after 2030. This directly affects Maryland businesses buying cybersecurity and qualifying Maryland cybersecurity firms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable 50% tax credit for cybersecurity purchases, providing direct tax relief to businesses under specific criteria.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates tax credit for cybersecurity tech purchases, incentivizing business investment in security measures, directly enhancing cybersecurity protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill requires cybersecurity vendors to be veteran-owned to qualify for tax credit, directly supporting veteran entrepreneurship and business ownership opportunities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 9: Sales and Use Tax - Tax-Free Day - Veterans' Day

SB 9 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) in Maryland starting in 2026. It exempts sales tax on items costing less than $2,000 purchased by veterans, provided they show valid ID (like a driver's license or government ID) indicating veteran status. The Comptroller may suspend this tax-free day at their sole discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly benefiting eligible veterans making qualifying purchases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates temporary tax exemption for veterans, providing targeted tax relief on qualifying purchases under $2,000.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts sales tax on $2,000 items for veterans on Veterans Day, directly providing a financial benefit to recognize service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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