Veterans (National Guard & Reserve)

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 789: Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System - Military Service Credit Eligibility - Helicopter Pilots

HB 789 amends Maryland's Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System to allow current or former members to receive pension credit for military service under specific conditions. It permits credit only if the member hasn't already received military service credit from another retirement system (with exceptions for Social Security, railroad retirement, or military disability payments). The bill limits total military service credit to a maximum of 5 years, with special provisions: National Guard/reserve members get 4 months per year (max 36 months), and service academy attendees get 4 months per year (max 16 months). This change applies to individuals who haven't met prior pension service requirements and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides pension credit for military service in law enforcement pensions, expanding benefits for veterans serving as officers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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

HB 761: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Military Retirement Income (Keep Our Heroes Home Act)

HB 761 modifies Maryland's income tax code to increase the tax break for military retirees. It removes the age requirement for the full tax deduction on military retirement income, raising the deduction from $12,500 (under 55) or $20,000 (55+) to $25,000 for 2026-2026 and $40,000 starting in 2027. This directly affects Maryland residents who receive military retirement income from active or reserve service, including death benefits. The bill amends Section 10-207(q) of Maryland’s tax code to apply the higher deduction regardless of the retiree’s age. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deduction for military retirees, providing tax relief under Maryland's income tax code by raising deduction amounts.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases tax deduction for military retirees from $12.5K/$20K to $25K/$40K, expanding financial benefits for veterans95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives National Guard & Reserve

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 19, 2026

HB 1177: Small Business Reserve Program - Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprises - Outreach

HB 1177 requires Maryland's State certification agency to create an outreach program, working with the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, the Military Department, and the Department of Veterans and Military Families. The program aims to increase participation by veteran-owned small businesses in Maryland's small business reserve program, which prioritizes contracts for qualifying businesses. The bill mandates annual reports to state officials detailing the outreach program's status and the number and value of contracts awarded to veteran-owned businesses. This bill amends Maryland law to implement these requirements, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates outreach program to increase veteran-owned business participation in state contract program, supporting veteran employment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 925: Sales and Use Tax – Distribution of Cannabis Sales Tax Revenue – Maryland Veterans Trust Fund

SB 925 directs 3% of the sales and use tax revenue collected from cannabis sales in Maryland to be distributed quarterly to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. This fund provides monetary and non-monetary assistance to veterans, their families, Maryland National Guard members, and supporting programs. The bill amends existing tax code to establish this specific allocation, requiring the Comptroller to distribute the funds after other mandated distributions for cannabis tax revenue. This policy change directly affects veterans' support programs by creating a dedicated revenue stream from cannabis taxation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 3% cannabis tax revenue to veterans fund, increasing dedicated funding for essential veteran assistance programs.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirects 3% cannabis tax revenue to Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, providing monetary/non-monetary assistance to veterans per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue Sales Tax National Guard & Reserve

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 242: Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act

SB 242, the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, allows active-duty service members and their spouses to practice in Maryland under an occupational or professional license issued by another state, without needing to meet all of Maryland’s usual licensing requirements. It also expands eligibility for veterans’ licensing benefits to include former service members who were discharged more than a certain period before applying for a license. The bill creates new provisions (Subtitle 14A) in Maryland law to streamline this process and updates definitions to clarify who qualifies under these rules. These changes directly affect military personnel, their families, and veterans seeking to work in licensed professions across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFacilitates employment access for service members/veterans by easing occupational licensing barriers, aligning with employment standards support.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' licensing benefits to include former service members discharged beyond a certain period, directly advancing veteran employment opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 109: Anne Arundel County - Residential Property Tax Payment Deferrals - Eligibility

SB 109 would expand eligibility for property tax payment deferrals in Anne Arundel County to include members of certain military reserve components (like National Guard reservists) and members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health Service. Currently, deferrals are available to seniors (62+), permanently disabled residents with specific federal benefits, or those meeting income requirements; this bill adds these two new federal service groups to the eligible categories. The change would allow qualifying members to delay paying county property taxes on their primary residence without needing to prove additional disability or age. The bill requires the county governing body to adopt a deferral program following specific rules and would take effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax deferral eligibility for military reservists and federal service members, providing tax relief to qualifying groups.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds National Guard reservists (veterans) to property tax deferral eligibility, expanding financial benefits for military service members.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax National Guard & Reserve

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

HB 151: Sales and Use Tax - Distribution of Cannabis Sales Tax Revenue - Maryland Veterans Trust Fund

HB 151 requires that 3% of sales and use tax revenue from cannabis sales in Maryland be distributed quarterly to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. This fund directly supports veterans, their families, and Maryland National Guard members through grants, loans, and programs. The bill amends tax distribution rules to prioritize this allocation after funding cannabis administration costs, social equity programs, community reinvestment, and public health funds. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, with no other specified impacts on policy or program structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 3% cannabis sales tax revenue to veterans fund, directly funding essential programs via tax distribution rules.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates 3% of cannabis tax revenue to Maryland Veterans Trust Fund for grants, loans, and programs supporting veterans and their families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax National Guard & Reserve

Track

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 192: Military Family Inclusion Act

SB 192, the Military Family Inclusion Act, modifies membership requirements for four Maryland state commissions and boards to include military family representation. It adds a "family caregiver of a service-disabled veteran" to the Commission on Caregiving, designates an "organization representing military families" as a voting member on the Trust Fund Board, and requires the Veterans Commission to include such an organization in its appointment list. The bill also adds a "service member" position to the Maryland Youth Advisory Council, appointed by the Department of Veterans and Military Families. These changes, effective October 1, 2026, adjust who serves on existing advisory bodies without creating new programs or benefits. The bill directly affects how these state boards are composed but does not alter funding or services for military families.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds military family caregivers and organizations to veteran-related boards, ensuring representation in decision-making on veteran services and caregiving.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 232: Maryland Military Department – National Guard – Tuition Assistance

HB 232 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It allows full coverage of in-state tuition and new "training assistance" costs (including uniforms, certifications, tools, and digital resources) at more institutions, including recognized vocational, trade, and career schools. Active Guard members attending eligible programs must agree to serve an additional 2 years (for undergraduate/vocational courses) or 4 years (for graduate/professional courses) after completing their studies. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to members certified by the Adjutant General.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition coverage and training assistance for National Guard members at vocational/academic institutions, directly enhancing educational access and opportunity for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition/training assistance for National Guard members (including uniforms/certifications), directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans transitioning from service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 142: Maryland Military Department - National Guard - Tuition Assistance

SB 142 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It broadens eligible institutions to include private vocational/trade schools with 50% tuition waivers and adds covered expenses like tools, uniforms, certification fees, and digital resources. Active Guard members (enlisted or commissioned) attending approved institutions can receive 100% coverage for tuition and qualifying training costs, provided they commit to 2-4 years of continued service after course completion. The bill applies to undergraduate, graduate, vocational, and trade courses, with specific provisions if a member's unit disbands.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance for National Guard members at vocational/trade schools, increasing educational access and funding for higher education through 100% coverage of tuition and training costs.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition assistance for National Guard members (veterans) to include private vocational schools, tools, uniforms, and certification fees, strengthening educational benefits and service support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education