Budget & Taxes

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

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Sales Tax Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 201: Income Tax - Tips or Gratuities - Subtraction Modification (No Income Taxes on Tips Act)

HB 201 exempts tips and gratuities from Maryland state income tax for workers in specific service industries. It directly affects employees in food service, hotels, limousine services, passenger-for-hire transportation, and taxicab services. The bill modifies Maryland tax law to exclude tips received in these roles from taxable income calculations. This change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts service workers' tips from state income tax, providing direct tax relief for lower-income earners in targeted industries per bill's explicit modification of tax law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts tips from state tax, increasing net earnings for service workers in affected industries, directly strengthening worker compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 644: Property Tax - Exemption for Dwellings of Surviving Spouses of Disabled Veterans - Application

HB 644 amends Maryland's property tax law to simplify the application process for surviving spouses of disabled veterans seeking a property tax exemption on their primary residence. The bill updates the required documentation, allowing surviving spouses to submit either a VA disability certification or a VA rating decision (including the effective date) instead of previous, more complex forms. This change directly affects unmarried surviving spouses of veterans who were honorably discharged with a 100% service-connected disability, ensuring they can more easily qualify for the exemption on their current home or a newly acquired home meeting specific conditions. The exemption remains tied to the property's use as a primary residence and the veteran's qualifying disability status.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSimplifies property tax exemption access for surviving spouses of disabled veterans, providing direct tax relief to a vulnerable group as per tax policy indicators.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSimplifies property tax exemption access for surviving spouses of disabled veterans, expanding benefit eligibility and reducing application barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 541: Public Schools - Restocking Menstrual Hygiene Products - Requirement

HB 541 requires all Maryland public schools to provide free menstrual hygiene products (tampons or sanitary napkins) in women’s restrooms at no cost to students. Each county board of education must install dispensers in at least two women’s restrooms at middle/high schools by October 2022 (and all by August 2025) and in at least one restroom at elementary schools by October 2022. Schools must regularly restock these dispensers to ensure availability, with the state reimbursing counties for installation and product costs through a $500,000 fiscal year 2023 appropriation. The law applies directly to public school students and county education boards, taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState reimburses counties for menstrual product costs, increasing public service funding via state budget appropriation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free menstrual products in school restrooms, enhancing student access to basic needs and well-being in educational settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free menstrual products in schools, improving access to essential health services for students, aligning with public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Student Health

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 388: Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act

SB 388, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and adjust eligibility for tax incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the Strategic Closing Fund within the Department of Commerce, alters how video lottery proceeds are distributed, and modifies rules for several tax credits - including Job Creation, Research and Development, and film production credits - to expand access for businesses and investors. Key changes include allowing pass-through entities to allocate biotechnology tax credits differently, enabling film producers to amend credit applications, and extending the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill directly affects businesses seeking economic development tax credits and state agencies managing these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands business tax credits (Job Creation, R&D, film) via restructured incentives, advancing economic development funding mechanisms without defunding or restricting.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 24, 2026

HB 369: Prince George's County - Property Tax Credit - New Businesses PG 407-26

HB 369 authorizes Prince George's County to offer a property tax credit to new businesses that create 10 or more full-time jobs in industries targeted for growth by the county's economic development agency. The credit applies to property owned or leased by qualifying businesses and cannot exceed 10 years. County officials would determine the credit amount, duration, and additional eligibility rules through local law. The credit becomes effective for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes property tax credit for new businesses, reducing tax burden and supporting economic development through targeted tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 23, 2026

HB 484: Corporate Income Tax - Addition Modification - Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

HB 484 modifies Maryland's corporate income tax code to disallow deductions for certain direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising expenses that are deductible under federal law. It specifically targets expenses paid by "covered entities" (pharmaceutical sponsors or companies owning drug outsourcing facilities) for advertising "covered drugs" (prescription drugs under federal law) to the general public via media like TV, radio, social media, or digital platforms. The bill requires these expenses - already deducted federally - to be added back to Maryland taxable income, effectively eliminating the state tax deduction for such advertising. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and directly affects pharmaceutical companies engaging in DTC advertising for covered drugs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole by disallowing corporate deductions for pharmaceutical advertising, increasing tax revenue per fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 250: Environment - Appropriation or Use of Water and Dam Safety - Enforcement

HB 250 authorizes Maryland's Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for violations of water appropriation, dam safety, and wetlands rules. It directly affects businesses, developers, and dam operators who breach these regulations. Key provisions include setting penalties up to $5,000 per violation (capped at $100,000 total), requiring consideration of factors like environmental harm and willfulness, and mandating that collected penalties fund the Maryland Clean Water Fund (except for dam safety cases, which go to a repair fund). The bill also streamlines enforcement by allowing the Department to issue immediate corrective orders and hold expedited hearings for urgent threats.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates penalties fund Maryland Clean Water Fund, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator for support stance.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes penalties for water/wetlands violations, funds clean water initiatives, strengthens enforcement of environmental regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Water Quality

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 312: Constitutional Officers - Salaries

SB 312 increases annual salaries for Maryland's four constitutional officers: the Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. The bill raises their base salaries by $10,000-$15,000 starting in 2027, with step increases over each term (e.g., Comptroller's first-year salary rises from $165,000 to $175,000). These changes apply to terms beginning after October 1, 2026, and do not affect current officeholders serving terms that started before this date. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland law to implement these salary adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state budget allocation for constitutional officers' salaries, directly impacting government spending and fiscal management.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 680: Children's Cabinet Fund - Renaming and Funding for Grants to Local Management Boards

HB 680 renames Maryland's "Children's Cabinet Fund" to the "Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund" and mandates specific annual funding increases for grants to local management boards. Starting in fiscal year 2028, the Governor must appropriate $3 million above the 2027 level, with $2 million increases each subsequent year through 2031. These funds support local boards in implementing coordinated services for children and families, including youth development, prevention, crisis intervention, and reducing out-of-home placements. The bill directly affects local management boards that coordinate child welfare services, requiring them to align with state and local plans when applying for these grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual funding increases ($3M+ starting 2028) for children's services grants, directly expanding state budget allocations for public programs.95% confidence