Technology

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 867: Economic Development - Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission - Alterations

SB 867 expands the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission's mission to specifically promote innovation in space science, space technology, and aeronautics. It restructures the Commission's membership by adding representatives from the commercial space industry (up to three) and higher education institutions, while requiring the Commission to appoint an Executive Director. The bill authorizes the Commission to provide grants to eligible entities - including aerospace businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and universities conducting aerospace research in Maryland. These changes aim to strengthen Maryland's aerospace sector by formalizing grant programs and broadening stakeholder representation on the Commission.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands tech commission to promote space tech innovation and funds aerospace businesses via grants, directly advancing technology sector development.95% confidence

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 629: Information Technology - State and Higher Education E-Mail - Requirements

SB 629 requires all Maryland state government units and public higher education institutions (excluding Morgan State University, the University System of Maryland, St. Mary’s College, and Baltimore City Community College) to implement email security policies. It mandates automatic filtering of spam emails (defined as unsolicited, non-state-business emails like phishing or bulk solicitations unrelated to official duties) and prohibits using state email systems as public forums. The bill also permits minimal personal email use that has no significant impact on resources and aligns with professional business standards. These requirements must be included in institutional IT policies, plans, and standards, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates email security policies including spam/phishing filtering, directly enhancing cybersecurity measures for state systems.95% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1128: Income Tax – Angel Investor Tax Credit for Investments in Emergent Technology

HB 1128 creates a state income tax credit for individuals or entities investing in Maryland-based companies developing emergent technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, or cybersecurity. To qualify, investors must contribute at least $25,000 before July 1, 2029, in exchange for equity (not debt), and the company must meet specific criteria for "emergent technology" development. The credit is funded through a dedicated Angel Investor Tax Credit Reserve Fund, which earns interest and is managed by the Department of Commerce. This policy directly affects early-stage tech investors and qualifying Maryland companies seeking capital to grow.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for wealthy investors, reducing state revenue; aligns with 'creates tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator under OPPOSE.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates tax credit for investing in AI, quantum, and cybersecurity startups, directly incentivizing funding for emergent technology development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Emerging Technology

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 853: Economic Development Activity - Nondisclosure Agreements

SB 853 prohibits secrecy contracts (nondisclosure agreements) between individuals and entities involved in economic development activities, specifically including data center operators. It directly affects employees, contractors, and consultants working with such entities by banning these agreements under Maryland law. The bill amends the Economic Development Article to establish Section 1.5-101(B), which explicitly states that no individual may enter into a nondisclosure agreement with a person involved in economic development or data center operations. This change aims to increase transparency for public records related to these activities under the Public Information Act.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans NDAs for workers, protecting their right to discuss workplace issues without secrecy constraints, directly advancing workers' rights.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBans NDAs for data center employees, enabling transparency on data practices and supporting privacy protections in tech infrastructure.85% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 727: Municipal Elections - Qualified Electronic Transmission Systems - Authorization for Use

SB 727 authorizes Maryland municipalities to use secure electronic voting systems for local elections, directly affecting cities and towns conducting municipal elections. The bill defines a "qualified electronic transmission system" as one with strict security features like end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, paper ballot backups, and biometric ID verification to protect voter data and election integrity. It prohibits municipalities from using any voter information collected through these systems for purposes beyond election administration or tracking voter participation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all municipal elections in Maryland.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates strict security features (encryption, paper backups) for electronic voting systems, directly protecting voter data privacy and enhancing cybersecurity in election technology use.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1494: Electricity and Retail Gas Supply - Customer Choice, Consumer Protection, and Green Power (Retail Energy Modernization and Consumer Choice Act)

HB 1494 modernizes Maryland's residential electricity and gas markets by allowing suppliers to offer time-of-use rates for terms longer than 12 months and combining electricity with green energy certificates in multi-year plans. It permits rates that exceed standard utility rates during peak times and exempts certain green power products from typical marketing and pricing rules. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to establish new rules for consolidated billing, cybersecurity, and fair interconnection of energy services. These changes directly affect residential customers choosing electricity/gas plans and suppliers offering those services, aiming to expand consumer options while adding new regulatory safeguards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnables green power products in multi-year plans, exempts them from marketing rules, and promotes renewable energy adoption through green energy certificates.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes green energy certificates and exempts green power products from certain rules, advancing clean energy adoption per its title and summary.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires new cybersecurity rules for energy providers, strengthening digital security measures per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Transmission Utility Regulation Cybersecurity

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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

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 952: Consumer Protection - Companion Chatbots - Regulation

HB 952 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to meet social needs through human-like interactions) to establish safety protocols, including preventing harmful content like self-harm discussions and sexually explicit material for minors. Operators must publish these protocols online, display clear warnings that chatbots are AI (not human), and provide crisis resource referrals for users expressing suicidal thoughts. The bill also mandates that operators of chatbots used by minors display mandatory break reminders after 3 hours of continuous use. It excludes business customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants from these requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates crisis referrals for suicidal users, directly supporting mental health access within healthcare services85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates safety protocols, AI transparency, and crisis resources for companion chatbots, aligning with consumer protection regulations in tech policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Social Media

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 15, 2026

HB 1595: Property Taxes - Authority of Counties to Establish a Subclass and Set a Special Rate for Personal Property of Data Centers

HB 1595 allows Maryland counties (and Baltimore City) to create a special tax category for qualified data centers. It authorizes local governments to set a distinct personal property tax rate for data centers meeting specific investment and job creation requirements - $2 million in Tier I areas or $5 million elsewhere, plus at least five new jobs. The bill amends tax code to define "qualified data center" and establishes the mechanism for counties to implement this special rate through local law. This directly affects data centers meeting the criteria and county tax systems, changing how these facilities are taxed under personal property rules. The special rate applies to all qualifying data center personal property, not real estate.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax break for data centers (corporate incentive), aligning with 'tax breaks primarily for wealthy' per guidelines, weakening general tax base.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax incentives for data centers advance technology infrastructure by encouraging investment and job creation in critical digital infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1082: Large Load Customers - Data Centers and Rate Schedule Requirements

HB 1082 modifies Maryland's electric rate rules to specifically include data centers under "large load customer" requirements. It exempts data centers from the standard 100-megawatt demand threshold that applies to other large commercial/industrial customers, allowing them to qualify for special rate schedules regardless of their size. Electric utilities must submit these new rate schedules to the Public Service Commission by January 1, 2027, with provisions requiring data centers to cover costs of infrastructure buildout and protecting residential customers from cost-shifting. The bill ensures data centers must still meet contractual commitments but removes size-based barriers for their rate eligibility.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts data centers from demand thresholds, enabling favorable electricity rates for critical tech infrastructure and advancing sector growth.90% confidence

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