Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 12: Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirement

SB 12 requires landlords to provide air-conditioning in most residential rental units during summer months (June 1-September 30) to maintain indoor temperatures at or below 80°F. It applies to apartment buildings with four or more units, excluding historic properties, buildings constructed between 1940-1950, and specific Baltimore public housing units. Landlords must ensure AC systems are functional for tenant-controlled units or maintain temperature limits for landlord-controlled systems. New constructions must comply starting June 1, 2026, while renovated units with major electrical or heating upgrades must comply starting October 1, 2026. The law does not affect buildings with permits issued before the law’s effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates functional AC systems in rentals during summer for tenant safety, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 168: Housing and Community Development - Affordable Housing - Educator Workforce Housing and Municipal Corporations

HB 168 allows Maryland school districts to use state housing funds for developing housing specifically for teachers and school staff (called "educator workforce housing"). It explicitly states that such housing qualifies as an eligible use of state financial assistance under housing programs and ensures teachers are recognized as a "specified group" for federal low-income housing tax credits. The bill modifies existing laws to clarify that school districts can repurpose unused school properties for this housing and that state housing agencies must inform applicants about this eligibility. This directly affects school districts seeking to address housing needs for educators and teachers applying for federal housing tax credits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables school districts to use state housing funds for teacher housing, directly supporting educator workforce stability and access to housing as a specified group for tax credits.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly permits using state housing funds for educator housing, qualifies it as eligible for state/federal programs, and designates teachers as a specified group for housing tax credits, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill designates teachers as a 'specified group' for housing benefits, directly supporting educator workforce housing as an employment standard under state/federal programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 161: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

HB 161 creates a property tax credit for property owners who convert former gas stations (retail service stations) to new uses like retail stores, homes, or mixed residential-retail spaces. Local governments (counties or cities) can grant this credit to offset property taxes, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost tax revenue. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up contamination. This applies to properties converted after June 30, 2026, and affects property owners making such conversions in Maryland jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit with state reimbursement (50% of lost revenue), providing targeted tax relief for redevelopment cleanup costs while managing state budget impact.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds cleanup of gas station contamination (removing underground tanks), directly supporting pollution control and environmental protection.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables housing development by offsetting cleanup costs for gas station conversions to residential/mixed uses, facilitating redevelopment of underutilized properties.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 58: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

SB 58 allows Baltimore City or Maryland counties to offer property tax credits to owners who convert former gas stations into retail, residential, or mixed-use properties. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up soil or water contamination from those tanks. Local governments can set the credit amount and duration, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost property tax revenue. This directly affects property owners and developers planning to redevelop former gas station sites into other commercial or housing uses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows property tax credits for cleanup with 50% state reimbursement, supporting fiscal management through targeted tax relief without net budget loss.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly funds cleanup of soil/water contamination from gas station tanks, advancing pollution remediation and environmental protection.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes residential redevelopment of underutilized gas stations via property tax credits, removing cleanup cost barriers to increase housing supply and development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 315: Landlord and Tenant - Discrimination in Housing for Income-Based Housing Subsidies and Positive Rental History Reporting

HB 315 prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to potential tenants who pay rent using income-based housing subsidies (like federal vouchers) based on the tenant's income, credit score, or past credit issues that occurred before they received the subsidy. It directly affects landlords and tenants using such subsidies, making refusal a discriminatory housing practice enforceable by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. The bill includes an exception allowing landlords who receive funding requiring income qualification (e.g., for income-restricted housing) to collect financial information as a condition of that funding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination against tenants using housing subsidies, protecting tenant rights and preventing housing discrimination per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 325: Land Use - Permitting - Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act)

SB 325, the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, requires local governments and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to base housing development approvals solely on land use rules in effect when a developer submits a complete application. It grants developers "vested rights" protecting approved projects from future rule changes for a set period and prohibits collecting development taxes or impact fees before construction is finished. The bill directly affects housing developers seeking permits and local regulatory agencies managing land use. It creates a new "Maryland Housing Certainty Act" section in state law to formalize these protections and fee restrictions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill facilitates housing development by granting developers vested rights and prohibiting pre-construction fees, directly advancing housing development as per topic description.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 335: Landlord and Tenant - Discrimination in Housing for Income-Based Housing Subsidies and Positive Rental History Reporting

This bill prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to potential tenants who use income-based housing subsidies (like federal housing vouchers) based on the tenant's income, credit score, or past credit history that occurred before they received the subsidy. It directly affects landlords and tenants using such subsidies, ensuring they cannot be discriminated against for relying on government assistance to pay rent. The law amends Maryland's housing discrimination statutes to clarify that such refusals constitute a discriminatory practice enforceable by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, with a limited exception for properties receiving funding that requires income verification for tenant eligibility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents discrimination against tenants using income-based housing subsidies, strengthening tenant protections and access to affordable housing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 571: Nonprofit Housing Corporations - Taxes and Special Assessments Exemptions - Alterations

HB 571 expands tax exemptions and judgment protections for nonprofit housing corporations in Maryland. It exempts real property used for housing eligible income residents (owned directly or through subsidiaries) from state and local taxes/special assessments, and prohibits court seizures of such property for unpaid debts. The bill defines "nonprofit housing corporation" as entities meeting specific IRS 501(c)(3) and housing purpose criteria, clarifying that subsidiary-owned properties qualify for these benefits. It directly affects nonprofit housing organizations providing affordable housing, ensuring their properties used for eligible residents remain tax-exempt and shielded from enforcement actions. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax exemptions for nonprofit housing serving low-income residents, providing tax relief aligned with supporting affordable housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax exemptions and judgment protections for nonprofit housing corporations serving eligible income residents, reducing costs to advance affordable housing development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 573: Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination - Regulations, Intent, and Discriminatory Effect

HB 573 updates Maryland's fair housing laws to prohibit discriminatory housing practices based on *effect* - not just *intent*. It explicitly states that actions creating segregated housing patterns or disproportionately harming protected groups (based on race, disability, sexual orientation, etc.) are illegal, regardless of whether the actor intended harm. The bill requires the Department of Housing to adopt regulations ensuring local governments and housing authorities actively "affirmatively further fair housing" through assessments in comprehensive planning. This directly affects housing providers, landlords, local governments, and housing authorities by expanding prohibited conduct and mandating proactive fair housing measures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on effect (not just intent), strengthening tenant protections and preventing segregated housing patterns per Maryland's fair housing laws.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits housing discrimination based on race and protected classes, protecting immigrants from housing bias.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing