SB 606 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to analyze unused E-ZPass commuter trips from 2023-2025 and submit a report by September 2026. The report must include data on unused trips (numbers, costs, demographics) and recommend solutions like extending usage windows or offering rollovers to reduce forfeited funds. It also mandates a corrective action plan if over 25% of discount plans had unused trips during those years. The bill directly affects E-ZPass commuters, particularly low-income residents and those in communities with limited banking access, by addressing financial losses from unused prepaid trips. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and expires June 30, 2027.
SB 777 requires Maryland’s Department of Labor to allocate funds from the Hospital Employees Retraining Fund to local workforce development boards when hospitals close, downsize, or merge. It mandates that these boards be included in state workforce programs and receive funding for the State’s quick response program to assist workers affected by job losses. The bill also requires local boards to provide grants to employers through the Apprenticeship Career Training in Our Neighborhoods Program. These changes directly affect local workforce boards, hospitals facing operational changes, and workers needing retraining or job placement support.
SB 725 requires a special "Certificate of Compliance" from the Attorney General and Department of Assessments and Taxation before property transfers from the U.S. government to private individuals or entities can be recorded by local courts. The certificate confirms the transfer complies with state and federal laws, and the agencies must review these transactions within a set timeframe. The bill also establishes a new state transfer tax rate specifically for properties previously owned by the U.S. government. This affects private buyers of federal land and local court clerks who must verify the certificate before recording deeds. The law applies only to transfers where the U.S. is the previous owner, not to standard property sales.
HB 884 requires Maryland to appropriate at least $5 million annually to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) starting in fiscal year 2028, continuing until a total of $321,181,312 is funded. This addresses a historical funding disparity between UMES (Maryland's 1890 land-grant university for historically Black students) and the University of Maryland, College Park (the 1862 land-grant institution), which received less state funding per student from 1987-2020. Funds must supplement - never replace - existing state budget allocations and can be used for infrastructure, faculty investment, scholarships, or other institutional needs identified by UMES. The bill mandates annual appropriations that cannot decrease year-over-year, aiming to fully remediate the identified funding gap.
HB 1331 requires Maryland’s Department of Health and Department of Human Services to verify eligibility for public benefits (like Medicaid) through automated data-sharing with federal and state agencies, replacing self-attestation. It mandates monthly reviews of death records, incarceration, and address changes, and quarterly checks of tax filings, employment, and income data to ensure ongoing eligibility. The bill prohibits providing benefits to non-citizens, requires annual inspections of retail facilities for certain programs, and establishes new work requirement compliance reviews. These changes directly affect individuals applying for or receiving public assistance by shifting verification from self-reported information to cross-checked data.
HB 1516 transfers administration of Maryland's electric universal service program from the Public Service Commission to the Office of Home Energy Programs within the Department of Human Services. It also expands the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to cover fuel assistance programs, including weatherization for low-income households. The bill directly affects low-income residents with annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level who receive energy bill assistance. Key provisions include requiring the new Office to implement the electric universal service program and continuing the weatherization component previously managed by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The changes aim to streamline administration under one agency while maintaining existing eligibility and service mechanisms.
SB 638 amends Maryland law to adjust funding rules for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. It removes previous limits on grant coverage (previously capping at 50% of project costs), allowing the Authority to fund more of certified heritage area management projects. The bill also reduces the portion of Program Open Space funds that can cover the Authority’s operating expenses from 10% to 7%, while increasing the maximum transferable funding to the Authority’s Financing Fund. This directly affects local jurisdictions, heritage area management entities, and the Authority itself by changing how they access and use state funds for preservation and development.
HB 1437 creates a Maryland income tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums paid by residents aged 45 or older. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 100% of eligible premiums (capped at $250 per year per insured person), covering the taxpayer, spouse, or certain family members. The credit is restricted to policies purchased after December 31, 2026, and cannot be claimed for individuals already covered before January 1, 2027, or for multiple taxpayers claiming the same person. The bill also requires annual reports to the legislature on credit usage and its impact on state medical assistance savings.
HB 1197 expands Maryland's tax whistleblower program to cover high-value enforcement actions involving individuals with federal adjusted gross income of $250,000+ or businesses with $2 million+ annual sales, where disputed taxes exceed $250,000. It allows the Attorney General and state agencies to initiate tax enforcement actions using whistleblower tips, requires the Comptroller to share original tips with these agencies, and mandates agencies to report final assessment details back to the Comptroller. Whistleblowers who provide original, independent information leading to a successful case will receive 15-30% of taxes, penalties, and interest collected. The bill clarifies "original information" standards and prevents duplicate awards for similar tips already reported.
HB 1583 requires the Maryland Insurance Administration to form a workgroup to study how to create a low-cost auto insurance program or economic relief credit for low-income drivers. The workgroup, including insurance officials, lawmakers, and representatives from insurers and consumer groups, must examine eligibility criteria (like income thresholds and driving records), program funding options, and administration structures. They must report findings to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2027, with the bill itself expiring after one year on June 30, 2027. The bill does not create a new program but mandates a study to inform future legislative action on insurance affordability.
