Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 151: Income Tax - Credit for Individuals Residing With and Caring for Elderly Parents

SB 151 creates a $3,000 refundable Maryland income tax credit for residents who live with and care for a parent aged 70 or older. To qualify, individuals must reside with the parent for at least six months, provide care, not be claimed as a dependent, and have income under $92,000 (single) or $143,000 (joint). The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive cash if the credit exceeds their state income tax liability. The bill takes effect for 2026 tax years and includes annual income adjustments for inflation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit reducing tax burden for middle-income caregivers under $92k/$143k, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 379: Recovery Residence Grant Program - Funding

This bill ensures Maryland's Recovery Residence Grant Program receives $500,000 annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2030 by requiring this funding be included in the state's annual budget. It directly supports recovery residences (such as sober living facilities) that provide housing and support services for people in addiction recovery. The law updates existing funding rules to extend the annual budget requirement through 2030, preventing potential funding gaps. This creates a stable funding mechanism for these community-based recovery programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual $500k state budget allocation for recovery residences, ensuring stable funding for essential addiction support services through 2030.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds recovery residences for addiction rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform by supporting rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds addiction recovery residences (mental health support) via mandatory annual $500k budget allocation, preventing funding gaps for critical healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds recovery residences (sober living housing) for addiction recovery, directly supporting affordable housing initiatives via annual budget allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 118: Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act

SB 118 imposes a new excise tax on gross receipts from firearm, accessory, and ammunition sales by federally licensed dealers in Maryland. The tax revenue will fund specific community safety programs: 26% to violence prevention initiatives, 26% to trauma centers, 20% to community safety partnerships, and smaller portions to survivor support and trauma physician services. The bill rewrites multiple sections of Maryland law to create this tax, establish revenue distribution rules, and define key terms like "firearm" and "ammunition." It explicitly states the funding is intended to supplement, not replace, existing state funding for these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new excise tax on firearm sales to fund community safety programs (violence prevention, trauma centers), directly advancing fiscal management through targeted revenue allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds violence prevention (26%) and trauma centers (26%) via firearm tax, aligning with reform goals like reducing recidivism and community safety partnerships.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 26% of tax revenue to trauma centers, directly funding healthcare infrastructure and emergency services as part of community safety programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Firearms

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 197: Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act

HB 197 creates a new excise tax on firearms, accessories, and ammunition sales by dealers in Maryland. The tax applies to all retail sales within the state, with revenue distributed to five specific community safety programs: 26% to violence prevention, 26% to trauma care, 20% to community support, 20% to survivor services, and 8% to the University of Maryland Medical System. The bill directs funds to supplement existing programs rather than replace them. This tax targets firearms dealers as the direct taxpayers, with revenue funding state-level safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new excise tax on firearms dealers to fund community safety programs, supplementing existing services without replacement.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds violence prevention & trauma care programs, key criminal justice reform initiatives targeting root causes of violence.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 26% to trauma care and 8% to University of Maryland Medical System, directly funding healthcare services without replacement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Firearms

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 224: Property Taxes - Authority of Counties to Establish a Subclass and Set a Special Rate for Commercial and Industrial Property

SB 224 allows counties and Baltimore City to create a special property tax rate for commercial and industrial properties, in addition to the general tax rate, to fund transportation projects or school budgets. The special rate cannot exceed 12.5 cents per $100 of assessed value and must automatically exempt the residential portion of mixed-use buildings from this tax. It also permits counties to grant tax credits to small businesses (under 20 employees) owning qualifying commercial property. This bill directly affects commercial/industrial property owners and mixed-use building residents, while ensuring residential portions remain tax-exempt under the special rate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates special property tax rate for commercial/industrial properties to fund transportation projects and school budgets, directly advancing public service funding through targeted taxation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly permits counties to use special property tax revenue for school budgets, creating a potential new funding source for education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 129: Public Funding - Nonprofit Entities - Reporting

HB 129 requires nonprofits receiving at least 50% of their annual funding from specific public sources - including state/local grants, capital budgets, or local impact grants - to report funding amounts and usage to Maryland's Comptroller. This applies to IRS 501(c) exempt organizations operating in Maryland that meet the funding threshold. Nonprofits must submit these reports annually, and the Comptroller will summarize the data for the General Assembly by January 31 each year. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, aiming to standardize reporting on public funding for transparency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires nonprofits receiving public funds to report usage, enhancing fiscal accountability and transparency in government spending per budget & taxes topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 548: Land Use - Permitting - Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act)

HB 548, the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, requires local governments to approve housing development projects based solely on land-use laws and regulations in effect when a developer submits a "substantially complete" application. It grants developers "vested rights" to build under those original rules for a set period, protecting projects from future regulatory changes. The bill also prohibits localities from collecting development excise taxes or impact fees until a project is fully completed. This directly affects housing developers and local planning authorities across Maryland, streamlining approvals for new housing while limiting fee collection during construction.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local development fees/taxes until project completion, restricting local tax revenue collection during construction.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines housing development via vested rights, reducing regulatory barriers to increase housing supply85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Property Development

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 178: Public Health - Sickle Cell Disease - Specialized Clinics and Scholarship Program for Medical Residents

HB 178 establishes three specialized sickle cell disease clinics in Montgomery County, Harford County, and an Eastern Shore county, operating under a hub-and-spoke model to provide comprehensive care including pain management, mental health services, genetic counseling, and social support. It allocates $6.1 million for fiscal year 2028 to fund clinic operations, staff, training, and community partnerships, with priority for addressing social barriers like transportation and housing. The bill also creates a scholarship program for medical residents specializing in sickle cell disease hematology, requiring recipients to practice in Maryland after training. These provisions directly affect Maryland residents living with sickle cell disease, particularly in underserved communities, by expanding access to coordinated care and increasing specialist availability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $6.1M for clinic operations and services, directly increasing state budget spending on public health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $6.1M for specialized sickle cell clinics with comprehensive care including mental health services, pain management, and social support, directly advancing healthcare access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Public Health

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 660: Public Libraries - State Library Resource Center - Funding

HB 660 revises funding formulas for Maryland's public library system. It adjusts the per-resident funding rates for two key components: (1) regional resource centers (increasing from $9.79 to $9.99 per resident starting fiscal year 2027), and (2) the State Library Resource Center (increasing from $2.07 to $2.64 per state resident by fiscal year 2032). The bill directly affects all public libraries participating in Maryland's regional resource centers and the State Library Resource Center. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, maintain the existing per-resident calculation structure while updating specific annual funding amounts for operating and capital expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for public libraries via higher per-resident rates, directly supporting public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 185: Subtraction Modification - Public Safety Retirement Income

SB 185 increases Maryland's tax deduction for retirement income from public safety careers. It raises the deductible amount from $15,000 to $20,000 annually for retired police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, and emergency medical personnel who are at least 55 years old. This change directly benefits eligible retirees by reducing their taxable income on retirement payments from public safety employment. The bill modifies existing tax code sections to implement this adjustment, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deduction for public safety retirees, reducing taxable income and providing targeted tax relief per bill summary.95% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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