Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 135: Economic Development - Tax Increment Financing - Noncontiguous Areas

HB 135 allows local governments in Maryland to designate *noncontiguous* areas as development districts for tax increment financing (TIF). This means political subdivisions (like counties or cities) can now create TIF zones that include separate, disconnected parcels of land - not just connected areas - under new provisions in Section 12-201(i)(1). The bill modifies existing law to explicitly permit this by redefining "development district" to include noncontiguous areas and updating related sections (e.g., 12-203). It directly affects local governments seeking to use TIF for economic development projects across multiple, non-adjacent sites. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables local governments to use tax increment financing (TIF) for noncontiguous development zones, strengthening fiscal tools for economic development funding under budget management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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

HB 559: Transportation - Highway User Revenues Capital Grants - Calculation

HB 559 revises how Maryland distributes highway user revenue funds for capital grants to Baltimore City, counties, and municipalities. It changes the percentage allocations from the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account across specific fiscal years: Baltimore City’s share increases to 12.2% for 2026-2027 (down to 9.5% after 2028), counties’ share rises to 4.8% for 2026-2027 (then 3.7%), and municipalities’ share grows to 3.0% for 2026-2027 (then 2.4%). These adjustments apply to funds calculated annually based on highway user revenues like fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees. The bill directly affects local governments receiving these state-funded transportation grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReallocates existing highway user tax revenues to fund transportation capital grants, directly managing state budget allocations for infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRevises allocation percentages for highway user revenue capital grants, directly funding transportation infrastructure projects across Baltimore City, counties, and municipalities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

HB 705: State Government - Attorney General - Office of the Attorney General Enforcement Recovery Fund - Establishment

HB 705 establishes a special, nonlapsing fund within Maryland's Attorney General's Office to support consumer protection, antitrust, and securities enforcement activities. The fund receives up to 25% of penalties exceeding $100,000 from consumer protection cases (e.g., violations of commercial law or corporate regulations), capped at $7.5 million annually. Money in the fund can only cover direct enforcement costs like investigations, technology tools, staff training, and public education - not victim restitution or general operating expenses. The fund cannot replace regular state budget appropriations, and any balance over $7.5 million must be transferred to the state’s general fund by year-end.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated enforcement fund from penalty revenue, ensuring consistent budget allocation for consumer protection activities without tax changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 209: Department of Natural Resources - Savage Highlands State Park - Hotel Rental Surcharge

SB 209 requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to collect a hotel rental surcharge on units at Savage Highlands State Park. The proceeds will be split: 6% of the surcharge funds will go to Garrett County for tourism promotion, and any amount above 6% will go to the county's general fund. This bill directly affects park renters (through the surcharge) and Garrett County (through the designated funding). The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new hotel surcharge tax with explicit allocation to tourism promotion (6%) and county general fund, advancing fiscal management and funding public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget

Track

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

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar

Track

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 393: Community College Facilities Renewal Grant Program - Alterations

SB 393 removes a $1 million cost limit for community college facility projects (like repairs or upgrades) that qualify for state grants. It requires the Governor to appropriate 5% of funds allocated to the Community College Construction Grant Program annually for the Facilities Renewal Program, and to make up any shortfall if that program receives less than $80 million. The bill increases the annual grant limit from eight to sixteen and mandates equal funding distribution among eligible colleges if the total appropriation falls below $4 million. These changes directly affect Maryland community colleges seeking state funding for facility maintenance and improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 5% annual appropriation and $80M minimum funding for community college facilities, increasing state budget allocation for public infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves $1M cost limit for community college facilities, mandates $80M minimum annual funding, and increases grant limits, directly advancing higher education infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

Track

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

HB 729: Sales and Use Tax - Precious Metal Bullion or Coins - Exemption

HB 729 removes two requirements for a sales tax exemption on precious metal bullion or coins. Currently, the exemption only applies if the sale price exceeds $1,000 and occurs at the Baltimore Convention Center. This bill repeals both conditions, making the exemption available for all qualifying sales regardless of price or location. It specifically defines "precious metal bullion or coins" to exclude jewelry and art, ensuring the exemption applies only to investment-grade metal products. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion, reducing tax burden on investment-grade purchases and providing tax relief per policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 309: Sales and Use Tax - Precious Metal Bullion or Coins - Exemption

SB 309 expands Maryland's sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion or coins by removing two current requirements: a $1,000 minimum sale price and the need for sales to occur at the Baltimore Convention Center. The bill clarifies that the exemption applies to refined precious metal products (like gold or silver bars) and coins used as currency, excluding jewelry or art made from precious metals. This change directly affects buyers purchasing investment-grade bullion or coins, making the exemption available for more transactions regardless of price or location. The policy update takes effect July 1, 2026, broadening access to the tax break for eligible purchases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands sales tax exemption for precious metals, providing tax relief by removing barriers to tax-free purchases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 715: Algorithmic Addiction Fund – Establishment

HB 715 establishes the Algorithmic Addiction Fund as a special, nonlapsing state fund to address harms linked to social media algorithms affecting children. The fund is financed by civil penalties from settlements/judgments about social media-related harm to youth, state budget appropriations, and interest earnings. It mandates the Maryland Department of Health to use these resources exclusively for evidence-based prevention, intervention, and treatment services - including school education programs on digital literacy, mental health support for issues like depression and anxiety, and research - prioritizing youth mental health outcomes. The fund cannot replace existing state funding for these services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses state budget appropriations to fund youth services, aligning with funding essential public programs through fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes fund explicitly for school education programs addressing social media harm, directly funding educational services within schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes fund for mental health services (prevention, intervention, treatment) addressing social media-related harm to children, directly supporting mental health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes fund to address social media algorithm harms to children via penalties on tech companies, aligning with regulating tech for consumer protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health Substance Abuse Social Media

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 363: Local Government - Grant for Recipients of State Child Tax Credit - Authorization

HB 363 authorizes Maryland counties to create a local child tax credit against county income tax for low-income families with children. It allows counties to provide a $500 credit per qualified child for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income below $15,000, reduced by $50 for every $1,000 over that threshold. To qualify, both the taxpayer and child must be residents of the county (either domiciled there or maintaining a principal residence). Counties must formally adopt the credit by July 1 prior to implementation and notify the Comptroller, but the credit is optional for counties to implement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local child tax credit providing $500 tax relief per child for low-income families ($15k AGI threshold), directly advancing tax relief for lower-income residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Income Tax Tax Credits