Veterans

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 161: Natural Resources - State Park Entry Fee - Exemptions

SB 161 would allow veterans to enter Maryland state parks without paying daily entry fees by presenting a valid veteran ID card, a driver's license indicating veteran status, or other department-accepted documentation proving veteran status. It applies to the veteran themselves and their vehicle, exempting both from standard daily entry and per-vehicle fees. The exemption does not cover additional fees for park facilities like picnic areas or boat rentals. This bill amends existing law to expand fee exemptions for veterans at state parks.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from state park entry fees, directly recognizing service through expanded benefit access per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 25: Income Tax - Cybersecurity Technology and Service Tax Credit - Alterations

SB 25 creates the "Buy Maryland Cybersecurity Tax Credit," allowing Maryland businesses to claim a 50% tax credit (up to $50,000 annually) for purchasing cybersecurity technology or services from Maryland-based cybersecurity companies meeting specific criteria. The credit is refundable (businesses can get cash if the credit exceeds taxes owed) and requires sellers to be Maryland-headquartered, small businesses (under $10 million revenue), and/or owned by minorities, women, veterans, or located in designated business zones. It limits total credits per seller to $1 million annually and ends all new credits after 2030. This directly affects Maryland businesses buying cybersecurity and qualifying Maryland cybersecurity firms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable 50% tax credit for cybersecurity purchases, providing direct tax relief to businesses under specific criteria.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates tax credit for cybersecurity tech purchases, incentivizing business investment in security measures, directly enhancing cybersecurity protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill requires cybersecurity vendors to be veteran-owned to qualify for tax credit, directly supporting veteran entrepreneurship and business ownership opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Tax Credits Cybersecurity

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 46: State Veterans' Cemeteries - Interment

SB 46 clarifies the definition of "interment" in Maryland law to include earth burials, mausoleum entombment, and columbarium niches for veterans' cemeteries. It requires the Department of Veterans and Military Families to provide an outer burial receptacle (instead of a grave liner) or a columbarium niche with marker at no cost for every burial. The bill also mandates funeral homes and crematories to share identifying information about unclaimed cremated remains with veterans service organizations to determine if they belong to veterans or eligible dependents, ensuring proper burial arrangements. This directly affects veterans, their families, funeral service providers, and cemetery administrators.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides free outer burial receptacles/columbarium niches at veterans' cemeteries, ensuring cost-free dignified burials and addressing unclaimed remains per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families Veteran Benefits

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 261: State Procurement - Competitive Proof of Concept Procurement

HB 261 establishes "competitive proof of concept procurement" as a new method for Maryland state agencies to test innovative products, services, or technologies before full implementation. It requires agencies to obtain prior approval from the Chief Procurement Officer (or IT Secretary for technology projects) and mandates that all solicitations be posted on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage. The bill also sets mandatory participation goals for minority business enterprises and veteran-owned small businesses in these procurements, while allowing exemptions for small business reserves under specific circumstances. This change directly affects all state agencies conducting technology or service pilots, streamlining the process for evaluating new solutions through structured, competitive testing phases.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires mandatory participation goals for veteran-owned small businesses in state procurement, supporting veteran business opportunities.85% confidence

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 420: Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act

HB 420, the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, allows active-duty service members and their spouses in Maryland to practice in their profession under an out-of-state license during certain circumstances, without needing full Maryland licensure. It also updates the definition of "eligible veteran" to include former service members discharged over a specific period before applying for a license. The bill creates a new licensing framework (Subtitle 14A) across multiple Maryland law sections to streamline these processes. This directly affects military personnel, spouses, and veterans seeking to work in licensed professions like healthcare, education, or trades within Maryland.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUpdates 'eligible veteran' definition to include recently discharged for licensing, easing employment barriers - direct support for veteran workforce integration95% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 721: Uniformed Services Spouses Act

HB 721, the Uniformed Services Spouses Act, extends existing Maryland benefits for military service members and veterans to include their spouses. It adds "eligible spouse" as a defined term to priority registration at public colleges (within 15 years of service member’s last active duty, max four academic years), community college resource centers with tailored support, and senatorial/Delegate scholarships for spouses of active service members. The bill also modifies hiring preferences for state public service roles to include spouses of veterans. These changes directly affect spouses of active-duty service members and veterans living in Maryland who seek education, career support, or scholarships. The law updates multiple sections of Maryland’s education and employment codes to include spouses in eligibility criteria previously limited to service members themselves.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands higher education access for military spouses through priority registration, scholarships, and support centers, directly advancing educational opportunities for a specific group within the education topic.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends existing Maryland veteran benefits to spouses, expanding educational access and support services for military families, directly strengthening veteran support systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 227: Motor Vehicles – Parking – Disabled Veteran Special Registration Plates

This bill prohibits local governments and state agencies from charging parking fees to vehicles displaying state-issued disabled veteran special registration plates at on-street parking meters and in state-owned parking lots. It directly affects disabled veterans who hold these special license plates by eliminating fee requirements in these specific parking locations. The key provision amends Maryland’s transportation code to add a new section (26-301(c-1)) banning fee collection for these vehicles in metered street spaces and state-operated lots. The policy change takes effect October 1, 2026, without creating new benefits or altering existing parking regulations beyond this fee exemption.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves parking fees for disabled veterans with special plates, directly expanding benefits and reducing costs for this group.95% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 216: Criminal Law - Benefits Exploitation

HB 216 prohibits individuals from exploiting government benefits through deception, coercion, or exploitation of vulnerable people. It specifically bans recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining others to appropriate their benefits (including Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, and veterans benefits) for personal gain or to benefit others. The law also prohibits financial gain from such exploitation or aiding/abetting these acts, with penalties including up to 25 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It directly affects benefit recipients - particularly vulnerable populations like disabled or elderly adults - and those who exploit their benefits through threats, false promises, or controlling behavior. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents fraud in government benefits (Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP), protecting public funds and promoting fiscal responsibility by reducing waste in state spending programs.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly protects veterans benefits from exploitation, prohibiting illegal appropriation and aiding exploitation with penalties.95% confidence

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 9: Sales and Use Tax - Tax-Free Day - Veterans' Day

SB 9 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) in Maryland starting in 2026. It exempts sales tax on items costing less than $2,000 purchased by veterans, provided they show valid ID (like a driver's license or government ID) indicating veteran status. The Comptroller may suspend this tax-free day at their sole discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly benefiting eligible veterans making qualifying purchases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates temporary tax exemption for veterans, providing targeted tax relief on qualifying purchases under $2,000.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts sales tax on $2,000 items for veterans on Veterans Day, directly providing a financial benefit to recognize service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Sales Tax Memorials & Recognition

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 96: Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program for Service Members and Veterans - Terminology - Active Service Members

SB 96 updates terminology in Maryland's Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program by removing the word "active" before "service member" throughout the law. This change clarifies that the program serves all service members (including those not currently on active duty), veterans, and their families, without altering eligibility criteria or funding. The bill specifically revises definitions in Section 7.5-210(a)(2)(i), (b)(2), and (e)(1)(ii) to replace "active service member" with "service member." It does not create new benefits or change who qualifies for grants, only how the program describes its target population. The change aims to align the law with the program's actual scope and improve clarity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves restrictive 'active' terminology to expand eligibility for behavioral health services to all service members/veterans, clarifying access without altering funding or criteria.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves 'active' from program definition to explicitly include veterans in behavioral health services, expanding access without altering funding or eligibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health