HB 976 changes how Maryland calculates state education funding for public schools by altering the definition of "full-time equivalent enrollment." It replaces the previous method with an average of enrollment on September 30 and May 31 of the prior school year, directly affecting all public schools receiving state aid based on this metric. The bill also requires the State Department of Education to publish annual reports online and submit detailed data to legislative committees, showing enrollment counts, student categories (including "whereabouts unknown"), and funding allocations by county. These changes aim to standardize enrollment data used for funding calculations starting in fiscal year 2028.
HB 1302 removes a requirement that disabled public safety/judicial officers, their surviving spouses, or cohabitants must have been domiciled in Maryland for 5 years before a disability or death event to qualify for a property tax credit. The bill directly affects disabled officers (e.g., law enforcement, firefighters) who became disabled on duty, surviving spouses who haven’t remarried, and cohabitants who lived with a fallen officer for 180+ days. Key changes eliminate the 5-year residency rule while keeping other eligibility criteria, such as the dwelling being their primary residence and acquired within 10 years of the qualifying event. This makes the credit more accessible to qualifying residents without requiring long-term Maryland residency prior to the qualifying incident.
SB 980 modifies Maryland's property tax credit for disabled veterans and surviving spouses by adjusting the required disability rating thresholds. It lowers the minimum rating for the 50% credit from 75% to 70% and for the 25% credit from 74% to 69%, expanding eligibility without changing existing income limits ($100,000 for single filers, $200,000 for joint filers). The bill applies to veterans or surviving spouses owning a dwelling house who meet the revised disability criteria. This change takes effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
SB 547 requires state and local government units, as well as businesses receiving state funding for goods or services, to report annual details about how funds are used. Specifically, it mandates that recipients disclose contractor/subcontractor information - including addresses, employee counts, work locations, and minority business certification status - on annual reports to the Comptroller and on business tax returns. The Comptroller must then compile this data into an annual report for the legislature, including metrics like the percentage of in-state vs. out-of-state contractors and minority business participation. This bill directly affects government entities, funded businesses, and their contractors, aiming to increase transparency in public spending. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 732 requires Maryland's Comptroller to direct funds from the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (funded by cannabis tax revenue and business fees) specifically to Baltimore City's Comptroller. The Baltimore City Comptroller must then establish a special fund to distribute these resources to community programs in areas disproportionately impacted by historical cannabis enforcement. Funds can support services like behavioral health care, job training, housing assistance, and after-school programs - but cannot fund law enforcement or replace existing city programs. The bill mandates these funds remain separate from general city revenue and are subject to audit, ensuring they directly benefit Baltimore communities most affected by past cannabis policies.
SB 858 establishes the Audit and Finance Compliance Unit within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management. The unit directly affects all Executive Branch state agencies by monitoring their progress in resolving audit findings from the Office of Legislative Audits. Key provisions require the unit to create a public dashboard on its website showing agency audit status (including resolution timelines and repeat findings), form a specialized team to assist agencies with four or more repeat audit issues, and report quarterly to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. The dashboard must launch by October 1, 2027, and track corrective actions for all agencies annually.
This bill exempts property owned by Hagerstown City or the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility used primarily for public social, recreational, and entertainment purposes from property taxes. It applies retroactively to tax years beginning after June 30, 2023, requiring Washington County, the city, and the state to refund any overpaid taxes from that period. The exemption covers properties meeting the specified public use criteria, with refunds processed for eligible taxpayers who request retroactive relief. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026.
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.
SB 885 authorizes Maryland's State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses for online gaming and bingo operations, while establishing new regulations for these activities. It directly affects former video lottery facility employees through a new "Video Lottery Facility Employee Displacement Fund" to support them, and impacts school funding by requiring counties to use revenue from online gaming to offset local education tax calculations starting in fiscal year 2028. Key provisions include mandating that counties subtract gaming revenue from their education funding calculations and instead appropriate that revenue directly to school budgets, as specified in revised sections of Maryland law. The bill also requires the Commission to regulate online gaming operations and submit the law to a voter referendum.
HB 1058 establishes Maryland's Youth Delinquency Prevention Fund to provide grants to community-based programs, including youth service bureaus, that offer preventive services like delinquency prevention, youth suicide prevention, substance use prevention, and youth development. The fund, administered by the state office, is funded through state budget appropriations and interest earnings, and it must be used exclusively for these preventive services without replacing existing funding. The bill requires annual reports detailing grant distribution, the number of children served (disaggregated by age, region, race, and ethnicity), and whether served youth later interacted with justice systems. The fund is non-lapsing, meaning money remains available year-to-year and cannot revert to the General Fund.
