Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 872: Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing - Rental Dwelling Unit - Definition

SB 872 amends Maryland law to redefine "rental dwelling unit" for lead risk reduction regulations. It removes the word "[independent]" from the definition, clarifying that a rental dwelling unit includes any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit with permanent living facilities (for sleeping, cooking, sanitation, etc.), regardless of whether it's physically separated. This change directly affects landlords and property managers of rental housing subject to lead safety requirements, as it expands the scope of units covered under existing lead risk reduction laws. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands lead safety regulations to cover more rental units by removing 'independent' from definition, strengthening tenant health protections in housing.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 85: Corporations and Associations - Cooperative Limited Equity Housing Corporations - Establishment

HB 85 creates a legal framework for Maryland nonstock corporations (like rental property owners) to convert into cooperative limited equity housing corporations. It establishes requirements for conversion, including a 60-day vote by members, and mandates that these cooperatives provide moving expense reimbursements and advance notice to low-income households (earning ≤80% of area median income) if they sell their units. The bill also sets rules for membership composition, restricts how cooperative interests can be sold or appreciated, and prohibits local governments from blocking such conversions. The Maryland Department of Housing will oversee implementation, including setting standards and providing grants to support new cooperative housing projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates legal framework for limited-equity co-ops with tenant protections for low-income households (≤80% AMI), mandating moving reimbursements and notice upon unit sale, advancing affordable housing access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 590: Howard County - Transfer Tax - Use of Proceeds Ho. Co. 12-26

HB 590 renames Howard County's Agricultural Land Preservation Fund to the Agricultural Preservation and Innovation Fund and specifies how property transfer tax revenues are distributed. The bill directs 25% of transfer tax proceeds to school construction, 25% to park and watershed projects, and the remaining 50% to be split: 50% (of the remainder) for agricultural programs (including innovation to support farming sustainability), 25% for low-income housing and community improvement, and 25% for fire services. It also requires that any revenue from an increased transfer tax rate be distributed equally among school capital projects, recreation and parks capital projects, low-income housing, and fire services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates transfer tax revenues to schools, parks, agricultural innovation, and low-income housing programs, directly funding public services and essential initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 25% of transfer tax proceeds specifically to school construction, directly funding school infrastructure per education topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates 25% of transfer tax proceeds to 'low-income housing and community improvement', directly funding affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 130: Environment - Water - Individual Submeters

SB 130 requires landlords in multi-unit apartment buildings (with more than two dwelling units) to install individual water meters for each unit instead of using bulk billing. It prohibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks, poor maintenance, or common areas, and mandates that meters include leak detection monitors that tenants can inspect. Landlords must maintain clear records of water costs and usage for tenant review, and unpaid water bills cannot be used as grounds for eviction. The law, effective October 1, 2026, also allows a $1 monthly administrative fee to cover billing costs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates individual water meters with leak detection, promoting conservation by billing based on actual usage and preventing waste from undetected leaks.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks/common areas, mandates leak detection, and bans eviction over unpaid water bills - directly protects tenant rights and reduces housing costs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 220: Environment - Water - Individual Submeters

HB 220 requires apartment buildings with multiple units to install individual water meters for each dwelling unit, replacing bulk meters. It prohibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks they caused, common-area usage, or maintenance costs, and mandates that charges reflect actual water use. Tenants gain the right to inspect leak detection monitors and review billing records, while unpaid water bills cannot be used to evict tenants for nonpayment. The bill also establishes a complaint process for tenants to address billing disputes with local housing authorities or consumer protection offices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates individual water meters to ensure tenants pay for actual usage, promoting conservation of water resources.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires individual meters, prohibits unfair water charges, prevents eviction for unpaid water bills, and grants tenant billing inspection rights - directly strengthening tenant protections in housing.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 22: Department of Disabilities - Housing Programs and Affiliated Foundations - Establishment

SB 22 requires Maryland's Department of Disabilities to establish affordable and accessible housing programs for people with disabilities. It allows the department to create nonprofit "affiliated foundations" that can partner with businesses, nonprofits, and individuals to raise funds and support housing initiatives, while keeping these foundations legally separate from state government. The foundations may solicit donations but cannot replace state funding, and strict rules prevent conflicts of interest (e.g., department employees cannot be paid by the foundations). This bill directly affects people with disabilities seeking housing, the Department of Disabilities, and potential nonprofit partners, with provisions set to take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingSB 22 mandates affordable housing programs for disabled individuals via state department and nonprofit foundations, directly advancing housing access and funding mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1132: Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Resale Contracts - Notice Requirements (Keeping Affordable Housing Affordable Act)

HB 1132 (Keeping Affordable Housing Affordable Act) requires sellers of condominium units or homeowners association properties to provide buyers with specific financial disclosures 20 calendar days before closing - extending the prior 15-day deadline. It mandates written notice of any mandatory fee or payment increases exceeding 10% (or other major changes) after the seller learns of them. The bill affects condo/HOA sellers and buyers by ensuring transparency about future costs like maintenance fees, assessments, and reserve funds. Key provisions include standardized disclosure forms covering current budgets, outstanding dues, insurance, and facility details to help buyers understand long-term housing expenses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates financial disclosures for condo/HOA sellers to prevent unexpected fee increases, ensuring transparency about future costs to protect affordability for buyers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 768: Department of Human Services - Benefits for Children in Custody - Alterations

HB 768 modifies Maryland law to clarify how the Department of Human Services (DHS) manages benefits (like Social Security or VA payments) for children in its custody. It requires DHS to seek other suitable representatives to manage these benefits before acting as the payee, and mandates that at least 40% of benefits be used for children’s unmet needs (such as disability services, housing, or education) when they are ages 14-15, increasing to 80% at 16-17 and 100% at 18-20. The bill also requires DHS to document all efforts to find alternative payees, periodically review if another representative could better serve the child, and avoid using benefits to cover state care costs. These changes apply specifically to children committed to DHS custody under Maryland’s Family Law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 40-100% of benefits for children's unmet needs including housing (ages 14-20), directing funds toward housing support for vulnerable youth.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 153: Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirement

HB 153 requires landlords to provide air-conditioning in most residential rental units in Maryland under specific conditions. It applies to buildings with four or more dwelling units (excluding historic properties, pre-1950 developments, and certain Baltimore public housing), mandating landlords maintain temperatures at or below 80°F in living areas from June 1 to September 30 each year. New construction must comply starting June 1, 2026, while units with major electrical or heating system upgrades must comply starting October 1, 2026. The law does not apply retroactively to buildings with permits issued before the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates AC in rentals for tenant comfort, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing policy requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 180: Evidence - Interception of Oral Communications - Fair Housing Testing

SB 180 allows fair housing testers working for specific programs (federal, state, local governments, or qualifying nonprofit civil rights organizations) to legally record oral communications during housing tests to document potential discrimination. The bill creates an exception to Maryland's wiretap law, permitting testers to intercept conversations they are party to if the recording is solely for gathering evidence of fair housing violations under federal, state, or local law. Crucially, recordings made under this exception cannot be used as evidence in court or other proceedings except to enforce fair housing laws. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects fair housing testing organizations and their trained testers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables fair housing testers to legally record discrimination evidence, strengthening enforcement against housing bias per federal/state fair housing laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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