Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 16, 2026

HB 165: Courts - Sheriffs' Salaries - Alterations

HB 165 requires sheriffs in 12 Maryland counties to receive salaries equal to their respective State's Attorneys starting in 2027. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland law to replace current salary formulas with this alignment for counties including Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, and others. For example, Carroll County's sheriff salary will match the State's Attorney's salary beginning in 2027, ending previous step-based or percentage-based calculations. This change directly affects county sheriffs and State's Attorneys in those jurisdictions, standardizing their compensation relative to each other. The bill does not alter current salaries until the 2027 effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates sheriff salaries to align with State's Attorneys' salaries, increasing county budget allocations for law enforcement positions, advancing government spending on essential services.90% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 429: On-Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program - Established

HB 429 establishes two grant programs to reduce food waste and promote composting. The On-Farm Organics Diversion Grant Program (under Agriculture) funds farmers, urban farmers, and related entities to implement on-farm composting, food rescue, and waste prevention. The Wasted Food Reduction Grant Program (under Environment) funds projects like food rescue infrastructure, community composting, and education to reduce wasted food statewide. Eligible projects must meet specific standards, such as producing certified compost and prioritizing underserved communities, with grants awarded annually starting July 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants to establish food waste reduction programs, directly increasing government spending on environmental initiatives per budget & taxes definition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes grant programs for on-farm composting, food rescue, and waste reduction - directly advancing environmental conservation by diverting organic waste from landfills and promoting resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 3: Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2026

SB 3 modernizes Maryland's unemployment insurance system by changing how weekly benefit amounts and employer contributions are calculated. It sets the maximum weekly benefit at 40% of the state's average weekly wage (up from fixed amounts) and bases employer taxable wages on 16% of the state's average annual wage, both updated annually. This directly affects unemployed workers (through revised benefit calculations) and employers (through adjusted contribution rates). The Maryland Department of Labor must publish the state average wage data online by January 31 each year to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modernizes unemployment tax base (16% of avg annual wage) and benefit calculations (40% of avg weekly wage), promoting fiscal sustainability through annual updates to align with economic conditions.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases max weekly unemployment benefit to 40% of average wage (up from fixed), expanding worker benefits through updated calculation formula.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 254: Supporting Inclusive Community Adaptation Act

HB 254 creates a new Resilience Through Restoration Capital Grant Fund within Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to provide grants for nature-based projects that reduce climate vulnerabilities and strengthen community resilience. The fund supports state agencies, local governments, and nonprofits in planning, designing, and implementing projects like wetland restoration, green infrastructure, and shoreline protection. The bill requires the Department to develop community participation guidelines, a public website with planning tools, and training by October 2027, while mandating that funded projects incorporate community input and dedicate at least 3% of funds to adaptive management. All interest earnings from the fund must be reinvested, and grants must specifically address climate hazards like flooding and sea-level rise.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new Resilience Through Restoration Capital Grant Fund within state budget, allocating funds for climate resilience projects via state agencies and nonprofits.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates grant fund for wetland restoration, green infrastructure, and shoreline protection to reduce climate vulnerabilities and strengthen environmental resilience.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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

HJ 2: United States of America - National Infrastructure Bank

HJ 2 is a Maryland legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 5356, which would establish a federal National Infrastructure Bank. The resolution highlights Maryland’s urgent infrastructure needs, including repairing 1,563 bridges, fixing aging water systems, addressing housing shortages, and reducing traffic congestion. It requests Congress create a $5 trillion bank modeled on historical infrastructure financing, projected to fund repairs and new projects without new taxes while creating jobs and growing the economy. The resolution does not create the bank itself but formally asks Congress to enact the supporting federal legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill advocates for federal infrastructure bank funding without new taxes, aligning with fiscal responsibility and avoiding state tax increases for essential infrastructure projects.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly lists 'addressing housing shortages' as a key infrastructure need to be resolved by the proposed National Infrastructure Bank, indicating support for funding housing solutions through infrastructure investment.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUrges federal funding for transportation infrastructure via National Infrastructure Bank, citing bridge repairs and traffic congestion reduction as key needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 512: Anne Arundel County - Board of License Commissioners and Part-Time Inspectors - Compensation

HB 512 increases minimum annual salaries for Anne Arundel County's Board of License Commissioners and part-time inspectors, effective July 1, 2026. The bill sets a new minimum $21,240 annual salary for the board chair (up from $18,000), $17,700 for other board members (up from $15,000), and $8,260 for each of the 18 part-time inspectors (up from $7,000). All salaries must include any cost-of-living adjustments available to Anne Arundel County employees. Additionally, part-time inspectors receive a $300 monthly expense allowance subject to approval. The bill directly affects these specific county positions handling alcohol beverage licensing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases county government spending on employee compensation, directly funding public service roles through mandated salary hikes.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum salaries for county board members and inspectors, directly advancing wage standards for public employees per Labor & Employment indicators.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 478: Washington County - Institutions of Higher Education - Dually Enrolled Students

SB 478 expands eligibility for two financial aid programs at Washington County institutions of higher education. It amends Maryland law to include homeschool students and nonpublic secondary school students in Washington County as "dually enrolled students," directly affecting these students and their access to the Part-Time Grant Program and Early College Access Grant. The bill updates definitions in education codes to cover these groups, ensuring they qualify for tuition support and grants previously available only to public school students. County boards must still cover 75% of tuition costs for eligible students under existing agreements, with periodic review options for schools and colleges. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands state financial aid eligibility for higher education grants, increasing government spending on education programs for more students.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to financial aid for homeschool and nonpublic school students in higher education through grant programs95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HB 490: Education - The Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Revisions

HB 490 revises provisions of Maryland's Blueprint for Maryland's Future education reform. It repeals an annual requirement for county boards to submit technology spending reports, extends the timeline for calculating compensatory education enrollment, and removes a termination date for Concentration of Poverty Grant funds. The bill also adjusts teacher certification rules, extends deadlines for National Board Certified teachers to become licensed principals, and updates definitions for wraparound services in community schools. These changes primarily affect school districts, educators, and state agencies administering education funding and programs under the Blueprint framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves termination date for Concentration of Poverty Grant funds, ensuring continued state funding for education programs without defunding.80% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves termination for Concentration of Poverty Grant funds, extends teacher certification deadlines, and continues Blueprint funding streams per bill revisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 216: Criminal Law - Benefits Exploitation

HB 216 prohibits individuals from exploiting government benefits through deception, coercion, or exploitation of vulnerable people. It specifically bans recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining others to appropriate their benefits (including Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, and veterans benefits) for personal gain or to benefit others. The law also prohibits financial gain from such exploitation or aiding/abetting these acts, with penalties including up to 25 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It directly affects benefit recipients - particularly vulnerable populations like disabled or elderly adults - and those who exploit their benefits through threats, false promises, or controlling behavior. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents fraud in government benefits (Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP), protecting public funds and promoting fiscal responsibility by reducing waste in state spending programs.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly protects veterans benefits from exploitation, prohibiting illegal appropriation and aiding exploitation with penalties.95% confidence

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

Sub-Topics Higher Education