Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 594: Sales and Use Tax - Distribution - City of Baltimore

HB 594 changes Maryland's sales tax distribution by requiring the state to pay one-third of sales tax revenue collected from retail sales within Baltimore City directly to the city government, instead of sending it to the state general fund. Previously, this revenue flowed to the state, but the bill redirects it to Baltimore for local use. The bill also adjusts the percentage of remaining sales tax revenue sent to Maryland's education fund (starting at 9.2% in 2023 and rising to 12.1% by 2027), with the rest going to the state general fund. This directly affects Baltimore City by increasing its local revenue from in-city retail sales, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects sales tax revenue to Baltimore City and increases education fund allocation, directly funding local services and public programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 144: Commercial Law – Fair Pricing and Market Competition Fund – Establishment

HB 144 establishes the Fair Pricing and Market Competition Fund to support Maryland's Antitrust Division within the Attorney General's Office. The fund is funded by civil penalties assessed against businesses violating anti-competitive laws (like price discrimination or monopolistic practices under §11-204), plus state budget appropriations and other designated revenues. It operates as a permanent, supplemental funding source specifically for the Antitrust Division's enforcement activities, not replacing existing budget allocations. The bill also mandates, starting in fiscal year 2028, a dedicated full-time investigator position within the division funded through this mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates permanent fund via state budget appropriations for Antitrust Division enforcement, directly advancing fiscal management through dedicated funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 408: Prince George's County - Authority to Retain Fee for Single-Use and Reusable Bags PG 403-26

HB 408 allows Prince George's County to retain up to 10 cents per bag from fees that retailers charge customers for single-use or reusable carryout bags. The bill authorizes the county to keep this portion of the fee through local law, depositing it into the county’s general fund. It applies specifically to retail establishments within Prince George’s County that are already required to charge such fees. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not prevent retailers from retaining fees under their own local rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes Prince George's County to retain bag fee revenue in general fund, increasing local budget resources without new taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 282: Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

This is a procedural budget bill (SB 282) that allocates $859 million in state funds for Maryland's fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directly funds state agencies including the judiciary (courts, public defender office, and legal services), legislative operations, and administrative offices. The total includes $771 million in general fund appropriations, $86 million in special fund appropriations, and $1.4 million in federal funds. This bill establishes the baseline funding for state operations but does not create new policies or affect citizens directly.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $859M for state agencies including judiciary and legislative operations, directly funding government spending and fiscal management per budget bill language.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds judiciary (courts, public defender office) and legal services, core criminal justice components per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 390: Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

HB 390 is Maryland's 2027 state budget bill, allocating $859 million in total funding for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directs $208 million to civil divisions (including $203.6 million for Disparity Grants and $3.0 million for cannabis tax distributions), $163.6 million to legislative operations (like the Office of Legislative Audits), and $859.2 million to the judiciary (covering courts, public defenders, and judicial systems). The bill primarily affects state agencies and programs by authorizing specific funding amounts for their operations, with no new policy requirements. It serves as the formal appropriations framework for state government spending under Maryland's constitutional budget process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $859M to state services including courts, public defenders, Disparity Grants, and cannabis tax distributions, directly funding essential public programs and fiscal operations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $859M to judiciary including public defenders and $203.6M Disparity Grants addressing racial inequities in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget Drug Policy

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 259: Financial Institutions - Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund and Regulation of Entities - Revisions

HB 259 revises Maryland's financial regulations by repealing certain fees charged to banking institutions and credit unions, such as the $25 fee for charter certificate requests. It updates the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund to extend the deadline for the Commissioner to match institutional investments from 2028 to 2030 and clarifies the Fund’s purpose: to help banks and credit unions develop financial products and services for low- to moderate-income communities. The bill also redesignates the Fund as a nonlapsing special fund (not part of the General Fund) and specifies that investment returns must credit the Banking Institution and Credit Union Regulation Fund. These changes directly affect banking institutions, credit unions, and the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals fees on financial institutions and extends Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund deadline to fund low-income financial products, advancing fiscal management and community investment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 281: Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026

SB 281 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual capital grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA, the Washington Suburban Transit District, and collective bargaining units, mandating WMATA to submit detailed safety, financial, and ridership reports annually. Key provisions include withholding funds if WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, fails to develop a rail signaling transition plan by July 2028, or terminates rail operators due to automation. The bill also requires the Governor to include specific appropriations for WMATA's capital costs and Metrorail subsidies in the state budget. This legislation is contingent on Virginia and D.C. enacting similar funding measures.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesWithholds 35% of WMATA capital grants under audit/financial conditions, restricting budget allocation90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill withholds 35% of WMATA capital grants under conditions, restricting transit funding and weakening operations. This defunding mechanism alignates with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget Rail

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