Housing

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 31: School Construction and Housing - School Zones and Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances

SB 31 requires Maryland county boards of education to annually submit detailed school zone and student capacity reports to state agencies starting in 2026. These reports must include school boundary maps, student residence locations, and school capacity metrics. The bill also restricts counties from delaying housing subdivision approvals based on school capacity but allows delays for final permits only. This directly affects county planning departments, school districts, and housing developers by standardizing school data reporting and clarifying housing development timelines. The law aims to balance school planning needs with housing development efficiency.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts counties from delaying housing subdivisions based on school capacity, facilitating housing development and reducing bureaucratic barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

Track

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

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Zoning

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 Jan 27, 2026

HB 511: Catalytic Revitalization Project Tax Credit - Alterations

HB 511 increases Maryland's catalytic revitalization tax credit rate from 20% to 25% of eligible rehabilitation costs for qualifying projects and raises the annual credit cap from $15 million to $35 million, with annual inflation adjustments based on the Washington metropolitan area's consumer price index. It defines eligible projects as the rehabilitation of historic properties formerly owned by government or large, substantially vacant commercial properties (minimum 250,000 square feet and $50 million investment) in designated economic development areas like Main Street Maryland communities. The credit applies to individuals, nonprofits, and businesses for four consecutive years (for single-phase projects) or in full upon completion (for phased projects). This directly affects property owners and developers seeking to revitalize underutilized commercial or historic properties in targeted communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit rate (20%→25%) and cap ($15M→$35M) for property rehabilitation, providing targeted tax relief to incentivize development and economic revitalization.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax credit rate and cap for rehabilitating historic/vacant commercial properties, incentivizing housing development and affordable housing stock expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Property Development

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 5: Community Development - Maryland New Markets Development Program - Establishment

HB 5 establishes Maryland's New Markets Development Program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. It allows businesses to claim tax credits against certain state insurance taxes (like premium receipts tax) for equity investments in qualifying community development entities that serve low-income areas. The credit equals 0% of the investment amount for the first three years and 12.5% for the next four years, applicable to investments made on or after July 1, 2026. This directly affects investors in qualifying community development entities and businesses meeting the "qualified active low-income community business" criteria, including those relocating operations to Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits for businesses investing in low-income community development, providing tax relief to stimulate economic activity in underserved areas.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax credits to incentivize investments in low-income areas via community development entities, directly advancing affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Community Development Property Development

Track

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

Sub-Topics Teachers Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 369: Nonprofit Housing Corporations - Tax and Enforcement of Judgment Exemptions - Alterations

SB 369 exempts certain real property owned by nonprofit housing corporations (or their subsidiaries) that provides housing for low-income residents from state and local taxes and special assessments. It also protects this housing property from being seized through court judgments or enforcement actions, while allowing nonprofits to pay a mutually agreed fee instead of taxes. The bill applies to organizations meeting specific criteria: incorporated in Maryland, recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and operating primarily for affordable housing. Key changes include clarifying which properties qualify for exemptions and reinforcing that judgments against these nonprofits cannot create liens on their housing properties. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts nonprofit housing for low-income residents from taxes, providing tax relief to support affordable housing programs and reduce financial burden on essential housing providers.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts nonprofit low-income housing from taxes/seizure, reducing costs for affordable housing providers and protecting housing stock for vulnerable residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes

Track

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 353: Prince George's County - Termination of Gas or Electric Service to Multifamily Dwelling Units - Notification PG 406-25

HB 353 requires gas and electric companies to notify both the property manager and local county officials before cutting service to a multifamily dwelling unit (like an apartment building) in Prince George’s County due to nonpayment. This applies only when the tenant has given written consent for the property manager to receive termination notices and the unit uses a master meter or submeter. The law mandates that companies establish procedures for this notification process, which must be completed before service is disconnected. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting utility providers, landlords, and county elected officials in Prince George’s County.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires utility notification before service termination for multifamily units, protecting tenants from sudden disconnection due to nonpayment, strengthening tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

Track

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

Tags People with Disabilities

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

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing