Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1436: Office of the Attorney General - Federal- and State-Assisted Housing Programs - Grievance Process

HB 1436 establishes a formal grievance process managed by Maryland's Office of the Attorney General for tenants in federal and state-assisted housing programs (including public housing, voucher programs, and emergency shelters). It requires housing providers to include grievance process notices in leases and annual communications, while the Attorney General's Office must investigate complaints, mediate disputes, and provide legal service referrals. If mediation fails, the Office can take legal action against non-compliant providers or those violating housing laws, and providers must compensate tenants harmed by violations. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the legislature on grievance outcomes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes mandatory grievance process for tenants in assisted housing, requiring notices in leases and Attorney General investigations/mediation, strengthening tenant protections in affordable housing programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 940: Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan

SB 940 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create and implement a mobile home park water quality testing program by January 1, 2027. The program mandates testing at 25% of parks by 2028, 50% by 2029, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2031, prioritizing parks with 40%+ minority residents, areas with known geological contaminants, parks where residents requested testing or filed complaints, and parks using private water supplies. Park owners must take corrective actions if water quality issues are identified, and the Department must provide results to residents in multiple languages. This bill directly affects mobile home park owners and residents across Maryland by establishing a structured process to ensure drinking water safety.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates water quality testing in mobile home parks with phased implementation, prioritizing vulnerable communities and contamination risks, directly advancing environmental protection and pollution control standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates water testing in mobile home parks (affordable housing) prioritizing minority-resident parks and health risks, directly protecting tenant safety and health in housing conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Parks & Recreation Water Quality

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

HB 1427: Property Tax Credits - Renters' Tax Credit, Homeowners' Tax Credit, and Homestead Tax Credit - Altering Eligibility and Amount

HB 1427 modifies Maryland's Renters' Tax Credit, Homeowners' Tax Credit, and Homestead Tax Credit by adjusting income thresholds, calculation formulas, and maximum credit amounts. It increases the maximum annual credit for renters from $1,200 (2027) to $2,000 (2029+), and for homeowners from $1,500 (2028) to $2,000 (2029+), while raising income thresholds for eligibility. The bill specifies phased-in income percentages (e.g., 0% on first $16,000 of income for renters in 2029+) and adds a $200,000 net worth limit for renters. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters (including seniors/disabled individuals) and homeowners meeting revised income criteria. These changes apply to tax years beginning July 1, 2027, and subsequent years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credits for renters/homeowners with higher caps ($2,000) and expanded income eligibility, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle-income residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases renter/homeowner tax credits, raises maximum annual amounts ($1,200→$2,000 for renters), and expands eligibility thresholds to boost housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 889: Wicomico County - Property Tax Credit - Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.

HB 889 authorizes Wicomico County or its municipalities to grant a property tax credit against local property taxes for real property owned by Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (SNHS), specifically for properties they intend to transfer soon, use for housing development/rehabilitation, and are not used for administrative purposes. The nonprofit must submit annual reports detailing all its properties and transactions in the jurisdiction granting the credit. The credit terms (amount, duration, scope) would be set by the local government, and the law takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to taxes for 2026 and later.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes property tax credit for nonprofit housing development, providing tax relief for community housing initiatives and promoting affordable housing through fiscal incentive.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes property tax credit for nonprofit housing development/rehabilitation, promoting affordable housing initiatives through municipal incentives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Development Property Taxes

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

HB 867: Real Property - Actions for Wrongful Detainer - Required Postings

HB 867 requires property owners to conspicuously post a notice against trespass or loitering on real property before filing a wrongful detainer lawsuit (used to evict unlawful occupants). Without this posted notice, the court cannot proceed with the case, directly affecting landlords and property owners who rely on this legal process for eviction. The bill amends Maryland law to add this posting requirement as a prerequisite for wrongful detainer actions, replacing previous provisions that allowed such lawsuits without notice. This change ensures clear notification to potential trespassers before legal action is taken.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires eviction notice posting before lawsuits, adding procedural barrier to unlawful evictions, strengthening tenant protections per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

Track

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

HB 1482: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Revisions

HB 1482 requires Maryland counties and municipalities to automatically grant a property tax credit to disabled veterans and surviving spouses who own their homes, replacing the previous "may grant" option. It increases the credit to 80% of property taxes for veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability (up from 50%), 40% for 50-69% disability (up from 25%), and 20% for 20-49% disability. To qualify, applicants must have a VA-certified disability rating, own a primary residence, and have federal adjusted gross income under $100,000. Surviving spouses may also continue receiving the credit under local laws. The bill mandates these changes starting June 1, 2026, for all taxable years after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax credits for disabled veterans, providing direct tax relief and expanding existing benefits through mandatory county/municipal implementation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax credit reducing housing costs for disabled veterans, supporting affordability for vulnerable homeowners through direct financial relief.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill increases property tax credit percentages for disabled veterans (up to 80%) and mandates automatic grants, strengthening financial benefits for veterans and surviving spouses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 953: Charles County - Rent Stabilization - Seniors

SB 953 requires Charles County to set annual rent increase limits for rental units occupied by seniors (age 62+), based on the Washington metro Consumer Price Index. It establishes a specific "rent increase limit" tied to inflation, preventing landlords from raising rents beyond this threshold each year. The law applies only to Charles County and takes effect October 1, 2026. This directly affects seniors renting in Charles County by limiting annual rent hikes to inflation rates.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits annual rent increases for seniors to CPI, directly protecting tenant rights through rent stabilization in Charles County.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 1353: Homeless Individuals - Fee and Examination Exemptions

HB 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts homeless individuals from state fees (vital records, vehicle registration, driver's licenses), reducing government revenue and providing fiscal relief for low-income residents.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts homeless individuals from fees for vital records, vehicle registration, and driver's licenses, directly addressing homelessness to improve housing access and stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1267: Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act)

HB 1267 requires local zoning authorities to maintain specific zoning classifications for two federal properties: the Patuxent Research Refuge and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The bill mandates that any portion of these properties sold, leased, or transferred by the federal government must retain a zoning classification restricting uses to open space, reserved open space, or resource conservation - prohibiting commercial, industrial, or residential development. This applies to the Patuxent Refuge under Section 4-217 and to Beltsville Agricultural Research Center property under Section 25-211 of Maryland law. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, and permanently prohibits local zoning exceptions for these properties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates conservation zoning to prevent development on federal environmental properties, protecting open space and resource conservation per its title and summary.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill explicitly prohibits residential development on two federal properties, directly limiting housing development per its language.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Property Development Zoning

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1196: Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan

HB 1196 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to establish a mobile home park water quality testing program by January 1, 2027. The program mandates testing 25% of parks by 2028, 50% by 2029, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2031, prioritizing parks with ≥40% minority residents, known contamination areas, or resident complaints. Park owners must take corrective actions if water quality issues are found, and the Department must notify residents and develop a statewide action plan. This directly affects mobile home park owners, residents, and the Department of the Environment through mandated testing, reporting, and remediation requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates water quality testing in mobile home parks with corrective actions, prioritizing vulnerable communities and contamination areas to protect public health and environmental standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires water quality testing in mobile home parks (a housing type), prioritizing minority-majority parks, ensuring safe living conditions for tenants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Water Quality