Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 828: State Finance - Delinquent Federal Funds (Federal Obligations Enforcement Act)

SB 828 authorizes Maryland's Central Collection Unit (CCU) to collect delinquent federal funds owed to the state, including placing liens on federal property within Maryland and directing the Comptroller to withhold state payments to the federal government. It requires the Board of Public Works to determine if the federal government is delinquent in paying funds owed to Maryland, triggering these enforcement actions. The bill amends Maryland law to specify that the CCU may collect up to the full amount of delinquent federal funds, and mandates that the Comptroller withhold state payments when the CCU refers such funds. This establishes a formal process for enforcing federal payment obligations to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill secures state revenue by enforcing collection of overdue federal funds, strengthening state budget management without altering tax rates or spending.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1232: Baltimore City - Economic Development Project in Downtown RISE District - Payment in Lieu of Taxes

HB 1232 allows developers to avoid Baltimore City property taxes for new or renovated commercial or multifamily projects in the Downtown RISE District (specifically wards 4, 21, and 22 precincts) by entering a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with the city. To qualify, the project must include at least one facility like a hotel, office building, or retail space, and the city must first confirm the project’s financial necessity through an economic analysis. Developers must apply for the agreement by June 30, 2036, with building permits secured and financing conditions met. The city must annually report job creation, estimated tax impacts, and other economic benefits to city council and the state legislature. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill grants property tax exemption to developers in RISE District, reducing city tax revenue and creating a tax break for commercial entities, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1555: Education - Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Oversight Requirements

HB 1555 modifies oversight for Maryland's Blueprint for Maryland's Future education plan. It shortens the term of members on the Accountability and Implementation Board from 6 to 4 years, creates an appeals process for public schools to challenge fund withholdings (allowing appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings), and establishes a new Stakeholder Advisory Council and Joint Oversight Committee. The bill also requires performance audits of the Board by the Office of Legislative Audits and places the Board under the jurisdiction of the Inspector General for Education. These changes directly affect the Board, public schools, and state oversight bodies managing education funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates appeals process for fund withholdings and mandates performance audits, protecting education funding from improper withholding per fiscal oversight requirements.85% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1358: Labor and Employment - Workforce Development and Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Workforce Solutions Investment Act

HB 1358 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 also mandates that these local boards provide grants to employers through the Apprenticeship Career Training in Our Neighborhoods Program. Additionally, the bill requires the Department to fund local workforce boards for direct worker services under the State's quick response program when job losses occur due to business reductions. This bill directly affects local workforce development boards, hospitals facing operational changes, and workers impacted by layoffs or closures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates existing Hospital Employees Retraining Fund to workforce development programs, strengthening fiscal support for job training and worker services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates funds for retraining after hospital job losses, mandates apprenticeship grants, and funds direct worker services - all strengthening worker support during employment transitions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 763: Maryland Technology Development Corporation - Maryland Growth Initiative - Established

SB 763 establishes the Maryland Growth Initiative within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support early-stage companies transitioning from startup development to scaling. It creates a dedicated $5 million annual fund from state budget appropriations (reinforced by interest earnings and private investment) to provide post-seed funding, helping qualifying companies grow in Maryland without relocating. The initiative must prioritize companies that previously received funding from the corporation or are minority-owned businesses, while maintaining a curated list of eligible firms between startup and scaling phases. The fund operates as a non-lapsing account, with all interest earnings automatically added back to the fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M annual state budget appropriation for startup funding initiative, increasing government spending on economic development.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes $5M annual fund for post-seed funding of early-stage tech companies to grow in Maryland, directly supporting technology sector development and scaling.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 644: Sales and Use Tax - Certificates Indicating Multiple Points of Use - Alterations

SB 644 simplifies tax collection for digital products and services used across multiple jurisdictions. It allows businesses (buyers) to submit a standardized certificate to vendors confirming that digital codes, products, or taxable services will be used in more than one taxing area or resold to affiliated entities. Once vendors receive a properly completed certificate, they are exempt from collecting, paying, or remitting sales tax for those transactions, and the certificate remains valid for future sales with the same buyer. The bill applies retroactively and eliminates the need for vendors to seek prior approval from the Comptroller for these certificates.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill exempts digital transactions from sales tax collection, reducing state tax revenue and weakening tax collection mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Sales Tax

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1576: Sales and Use Tax - Electronic Smoking Devices and Vaping Liquid - Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund

HB 1576 increases the sales and use tax on electronic smoking devices and vaping liquid in Maryland, directing specific tax revenue to the Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund. For electronic smoking devices, 10% of the tax revenue will fund the pediatric cancer program, while 30% of tax revenue from small vaping liquid containers (5ml or less) will go to the same fund. The bill establishes clear rules for using these funds - limiting administrative costs to 5% of the total and requiring all remaining funds to support pediatric cancer research grants. It also mandates annual reports to the legislature on how the fund is managed and spent, ensuring transparency. This policy directly affects retailers selling these products and the pediatric cancer research community.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases sales tax on vaping products, directing 10-30% of revenue to pediatric cancer fund, funding essential public health program through tax allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects tax revenue from vaping products to pediatric cancer fund, explicitly funding healthcare services and cancer treatment programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Children's Health

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 827: Repair the Transportation Trust Fund Act

HB 827, the "Repair the Transportation Trust Fund Act," repeals the automatic annual increase of motor fuel taxes based on inflation (Consumer Price Index), preventing future tax hikes on gas and other fuels. The bill also prohibits state and local governments from implementing vehicle-miles-traveled taxes or similar fees, while requiring the Maryland Transit Administration to meet specific farebox recovery targets for certain transit services. Additionally, it allows the MTA to raise fares without certain public hearings under defined conditions and bans requirements for devices tracking vehicle miles in private vehicles. These changes directly affect transportation funding, transit fare policies, and vehicle taxation across Maryland.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPrevents automatic fuel tax increases and prohibits vehicle-mile taxes, restricting tax hikes on transportation fuels and fees.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals automatic fuel tax increases (reducing future transportation funding) and mandates MTA farebox targets that may limit service expansion, directly restricting funding mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Transportation Funding

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 953: Revenue Stabilization Account - Transfer of Funds - State Disaster Recovery Fund

HB 953 authorizes the Governor, with the Board of Public Works' approval, to transfer funds from Maryland's Revenue Stabilization Account to the State Disaster Recovery Fund. This specifically allows using surplus state funds for disaster recovery efforts after major emergencies, such as natural disasters. The transfer is limited to amounts that leave at least 5% of the Revenue Stabilization Account's estimated annual revenue balance. The bill modifies existing law to streamline this process without creating new programs or funding streams.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes transfer of surplus funds for disaster recovery while safeguarding 5% of Revenue Stabilization Account balance, promoting responsible fiscal management.90% confidence

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 879: Language Acquisition Tracking Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children - Establishment

HB 879 establishes a free Language Acquisition Tracking Program within Maryland’s State Department of Education to monitor language development for deaf and hard of hearing children under age 9. The program requires annual assessments using a standardized tool (approved by an advisory council) every six months, starting from diagnosis, to track progress toward developmental milestones in spoken or signed language. It directly affects eligible children with permanent hearing loss who have an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), Individualized Education Program (IEP), or Section 504 Plan. The State Coordinator oversees the program, provides professional training, and ensures assessment data informs each child’s educational plan. Parents may opt their child out of assessments with written notice.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded program requiring budget allocation for language tracking services, aligning with funding essential programs under Budget & Taxes.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes free language tracking program for deaf/hard of hearing children under 9, enhancing educational access and early intervention support through mandated assessments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Testing & Assessment

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