Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1224: Property Taxes - Special Rate for Vacant and Abandoned Property - Charter County Tax Limitation PG 408-26

HB 1224 allows charter counties in Maryland (like Prince George's County) to impose a higher property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties that exceed their usual tax rate limits under county charters. The bill authorizes counties to collect additional tax revenue from these properties and direct it into the county’s general fund, bypassing standard charter restrictions. Counties must annually report details including the number of affected properties, revenue changes, and whether properties are being prepared for reuse. This policy directly affects property owners of vacant lots or uninhabitable buildings cited for housing violations, aiming to generate revenue for county services without requiring charter amendments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows counties to collect higher taxes on vacant properties, increasing general fund revenue for local budgets and bypassing charter restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 976: Primary and Secondary Education - Funding Accuracy and Full-Time Equivalent Enrollment Count - Alterations and Report (Education Funding Accuracy Act)

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAlters education funding calculation method to improve accuracy and mandates fiscal reporting, promoting proper budget allocation for public schools.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill changes enrollment calculation method for education funding accuracy, preventing underfunding by using average enrollment data, ensuring proper state aid allocation to schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1302: Property Tax Credit - Disabled Public Safety and Judicial Officers, Surviving Spouses, and Cohabitants - Eligibility

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves residency requirement for property tax credit, expanding tax relief eligibility for disabled officers and families, directly providing tax reduction.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves residency barrier for disabled public safety officers' property tax credit, expanding access to financial benefit for workers injured on duty.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 980: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Alterations

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax credit eligibility for disabled veterans, providing tax relief to middle-income recipients without increasing state spending.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransLowers disability rating thresholds to expand property tax credit eligibility for disabled veterans and surviving spouses, directly advancing benefits without reducing existing protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 547: Recipients of State and Local Government Funding - Reporting (Buy Maryland Reporting Requirements)

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates transparency in fund usage for fiscal accountability, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators in budget oversight.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Business Taxes Government Spending Tags Data Reporting

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 732: Cannabis - Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund - Distribution and Use of Funds for Baltimore City

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund community programs in Baltimore City, supporting public services through fiscal management of tax proceeds.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly funds community programs in areas impacted by historical cannabis enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and addressing systemic inequities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates cannabis tax funds for housing assistance as a direct use within community programs for areas impacted by cannabis enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 858: Department of Budget and Management - Audit and Finance Compliance Unit - Establishment

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes audit compliance unit to monitor fiscal accountability and resolve audit findings, promoting fiscal responsibility per Budget & Taxes indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 497: Property Tax - City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. - Exemption

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemption for public facility property, reducing tax burden and aligning with tax relief indicators for public use properties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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

Sub-Topics Procurement Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 885: Internet Gaming and Online Bingo - Authorization and Implementation

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates gaming revenue offset local education taxes (2028), directly funding public schools via new revenue stream, aligning with fiscal responsibility and public service funding indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates counties use online gaming revenue to offset education taxes starting 2028, creating new school funding stream per summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates a dedicated fund for displaced video lottery employees, directly supporting affected workers' transition and aligning with worker protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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