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Real estate and homeownership legislation for Prince George's County, Maryland state and Federal

2025 REAL ESTATE LEGISLATION

Below is a status report of issues followed by PGCAR and Maryland REALTORS® during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly (MGA) Session. Representatives of PGCAR frequently traveled to Annapolis and Largo to lobby legislators and testify on a number of issues. This year, we are happy to report that we ended the Annapolis Session with several "wins" for REALTORS®. Our efforts before the County Council are on-going, as their session runs through December.

2025 Prince George's County and Annapolis Delegation Issues

Dwayne Mingo, Director of Government Affairs - PGCAR

CB-002-2025   Watercraft Parked on County Roads
STATUS: PASSED
The bill prohibits the parking of watercraft on public streets, roads, highways, and rights of way by issuing a fine to the owner for every twenty-four (24) the watercraft remains in violation. The bill also permits the tow and impoundment of any watercraft that failed to be moved by the Revenue Authority or the County Police Department.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. We understand the intent behind the bill to address public safety concerns; however, we believe the fines and penalties imposed for parking watercraft on public streets could place an undue financial burden on homeowners. Many residents may not have alternative storage options or resources for their watercraft, leading to repeated fines and increased financial strain.
CB-003-2025   The Office of Permitting Ombudsman
STATUS: HELD IN COMMITTEE
The bill proposes the establishment of the Office of Permitting Ombudsman within the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE).
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. The Association applauds the sponsor of the bill and appreciates the intent of streamlining the permitting process and providing support to small businesses and homeowners. There are some concerns with respect to the bill potentially creating more bureaucracy and inefficiencies, rather than solving the existing issues within the permitting process.
CB-004-2025   Utility Trailer Parking Restrictions
STATUS: PASSED
The bill establishes rules for parking utility trailers on roadways throughout the County. The bill prohibits overnight parking of utility trailers and restricts daytime parking to four (4) hours, with certain exceptions including certain industrial and agricultural zones and public safety or publicly owned trailers.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. Many small business owners rely on utility trailers for their daily operations. Imposing strict parking restrictions, including prohibiting overnight parking and limiting daytime parking to four (4) hours, will create an undue hardship for many. The bill does not fully take into consideration some of the broader implications for small businesses, residents, and the community at large.
CB-006-2025   Permanent Rent Stabilization for All Senior Housing
STATUS: HELD IN COMMITTEE
The bill establishes rent stabilization protections for all-age restricted senior rental units regardless of other exempted conditions. Age restricted housing is defined as any senior facility and/or building that has an age restriction of fifty-five (55) years and older.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR MONITORED the bill. The Association has advocated that rent stabilization/rent control is a bad public policy choice for the County and will have severe, long-lasting ripple effects. The legislation may negatively impact the development of subsidized senior housing within the County.
CB-008-2025   The Revised Public Safety Officer Real Property Tax Credit
STATUS: PASSED
The bill revises the definition of public safety officers eligible for the real property tax credit.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR SUPPORTED the bill. The Revised Public Safety Officer Real Property Tax Credit expands the definition of public safety officer to include individuals employed by a bi-county agency, which includes the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), and Washington Suburban Transit Commission (WSTC) as officers that are eligible for the real property tax credit. Providing this tax credit for public safety officers is another positive step in fostering home ownership and is also an incentive for public safety officers to buy homes within the neighborhoods that they serve.
CB-009-2025   The Revised Elderly Property Tax Credit
STATUS: SECOND READING
The bill revises the elderly property tax credit to change the yearly thresholds for eligibility and clarifies that the tax credit is exclusive of and separate from the Homestead and Maryland Homeowner's property tax credit.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR SUPPORTED the bill and suggested amendments to keep the ten (10) year residency requirement as currently authorized and increasing the maximum assessed value which would enable more citizens in need to qualify for the tax credit. Many of the seniors in the County are on fixed incomes and have been one of the demographics hardest impacted by the rising inflation that has gripped the economy.
CB-010-2025   The Vacant Real Properties Tax Rate
STATUS: IN COMMITTEE
The bill sets the tax rate for real properties consisting of vacant houses/buildings or improved property cited as vacant and unfit for habitation or other authorized use on a housing or building violation notice.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. The precedent of establishing a real property tax rate for real properties that are specific to vacant houses/buildings or improved property cited as vacant and unfit for habitation or other authorized use is a concern which could disproportionately burden certain property owners. REALTORS® believe effective, strategic code enforcement can help communities revitalize vacant properties, increase property values, and improve the local economy.
CB-017-2025   Landlord-Tenant Relations
STATUS: PASSED
The bill requires a landlord to pay to a tenant a relocation payment if the tenant's housing is condemned as unfit for human habitation. Additionally, the bill requires relocation payment to a tenant that is permanently or temporarily displaced and, also requires a landlord to provide a tenant with a right of first refusal to reoccupy rental housing once it becomes habitable.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. PGCAR had serious concerns about the approach the bill takes. The bill places the full financial burden of tenant relocation on landlords, even in cases where the landlord had no role in causing the unit to be condemned. This one-size-fits-all approach doesn't take into the account the realities of small housing providers.
CR-008-2025   The Revised Elderly Property Tax Credit
STATUS: PASSED
This joint Resolution proposed by the County Council and the Administration refines and improves the goals outlined in the Senior Property Tax Credit Bill, CB-007-2024 (DR2), which was passed by the Council in November 2024.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR MONITORED the legislation. The resolution delays the implementation of the previously adopted bill (CB-007-2024) which revised the Elderly Property Tax Credit. The resolution suspends both CB-007-2024 and the original CB-029-2022 until further amendments are made.
HB 360 (PG 408-25)   Prince George's County - Community Associations - Management Registration Fees for Alternative Dispute Resolution
STATUS: PASSED - Effective July 1, 2025
The bill requires the registration of all cooperative housing corporations, condominiums, and homeowners' associations, commonly referred to as common ownership communities (COCs), in Prince George's County. The Prince George's County Executive must set an annual registration fee in an amount sufficient to adequately fund the cost to establish and administer the administrative hearing process by the Office of Community Relations (OCR), as specified. Additionally, the bill permits the County to establish certain additional fees for specified purposes.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR MONITORED the bill. The legislation enhances transparency, accountability, and fairness in the governance of community associations in Prince George's County. The bill ensures that residents and associations alike have access to a structured, equitable forum for resolving disputes.
HB 416 (PG 412-25)   Prince George's County - Special Rate for Vacant and Abandoned Property - Application of County Tax Limitation
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill allows Prince George's County to raise revenue from a special property tax rate on vacant and abandoned property in excess of the County's property tax rate limit.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. The precedent of establishing a real property tax rate for real properties that are specific to vacant houses/buildings or improved property cited as vacant and unfit for habitation or other authorized use is a concern which could disproportionately burden certain property owners.
HB 1196 (MC/PG 115-25)   Prince George's County - Utility Services - Master Meters
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill proposes a targeted exemption to existing utility regulations.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR SUPPORTED the bill. The bill seeks to address the water structure system in a condominium or cooperative housing. Specifically, the bill would allow duplexes in Prince George's County that are constructed, converted, or intended to be converted into condominiums or cooperatives to use master meters for water and sewer services. This is a departure from the general prohibition on master meters in multiunit residential buildings.
HB 1231 (MC/PG 114-25)   Montgomery County and Prince George's County - Qualifying Municipal Corporation - Land Use
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill would authorize a governing body of a qualifying municipal corporation by resolution to exercise the powers of the Prince George's County Planning Board, the Zoning Hearing Examiner for Prince George's County, or the District Council for Prince George's County to make specified land use decisions.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR MONITORED the bill. The bill would have provided certain municipalities in the County with the ability to have its own zoning authority. Under the bill, qualifying municipalities in Prince George's County would be granted authority to make specific land use decisions similar to the existing powers held by the Prince George's County Planning Board, Zoning Hearing Examiner, or the District Council.
HB 1266 (MC/PG 117-25)   Montgomery County and Prince George's County - Zoning and Land Use - Fairness in Zoning
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill provides that, in Prince George's County, the Planning Board's authority over zoning and subdivision matters is not exclusive and may not be subject to review by the District Council under certain circumstances. The District Council is authorized to adopt and amend zoning law procedures for specific zoning decisions. The bill prohibits the District Council from amending zoning laws or zoning classification of certain properties in a particular manner.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. While the intent of the bill was to promote fairness and aimed to improve zoning and land use practices, there were a number of concerns with the bill. The involvement of both the Planning Board and the District Council could introduce complexity and bureaucracy. Additionally, potential disagreements between the Planning Board and the District Council could lead to delays or conflicts in the zoning decision-making process hindering development.


2025 Maryland General Assembly Session
SUMMARY OF 2025 REAL ESTATE LEGISLATION



REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE, LICENSING AND CONTRACTS
HB 124 / SB 160   Assignment of Contracts of Sale - Disclosure and Rescission
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
A "wholesaler" must provide a disclosure to both the property seller and prospective buyer if a contract will be assigned. If the disclosure is not provided, the contract to purchase may be terminated without penalty prior to settlement.
HB 972 / SB 680   Real Estate Commission - Continuing Education Requirements
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
Continuing Education requirements for licensees are adjusted as follows: Fair Housing hours are increased from 1.5 to 2.0; separate BRAD and BRAD-SD classes are combined; commercial practitioners are required to complete 2.0 hours of ADA compliance; broker supervision is reduced to 1.5 hours; and, the CE course approval process is standardized across all classes.
HB 482   Occupational Licensing - Criminal History Predetermination Review Process
PASSED - Effective July 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
Individuals may request an upfront review of their criminal history to determine whether they would be disqualified from obtaining an occupational license or certificate.
HB 606 / SB 441   New Home Sales - Entry of Final Sale Price in Multiple Listing Service
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support with Amendments
A developer, builder, broker, or real estate agent would be required to enter the final sale price of a new home into a multiple listing service.
HB 895 / SB 279   Employment and Insurance Equality for Service Members Act
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
This bill extends state licensing and fee provisions currently offered to active-duty military and veterans to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Public Health Service.
SB 815   Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History Disclosure
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose as Introduced
REALTORS® successfully amended this bill to remove real estate from the category of licenses where criminal history review would be limited and licenses could not be denied from issuance.


HOUSING SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY
SB 891 / HB 1466   Land Use and Real Property - Accessory Dwelling Units
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
Local governments will be required to enact ordinances allowing for the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units on single-family detached residential properties by October 2026.
SB 46   Wrongful Detainer - Time of Hearing and Service of Process
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
This bill creates an expedited wrongful detainer process to assist with fraudulent possession of residential properties by squatters. Court hearings to return possession of properties to the owner must occur in no more than 10 days following the filing of the complaint.
HB 503 / SB 430   Housing Development Act
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support
Introduced as the Housing for Jobs Act, this bill would have provided additional regulatory certainty for housing developers and calculated the housing gaps which exist in each locality.
HB 38   School Construction and Housing - Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support with Amendments
Local governments could not delay housing developments for more than four years under Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances for school capacity.
HB 80 / SB 190   Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support
Approved transit-oriented developments would be exempted from certain local requirements, including parking, height restrictions or setbacks, and must allow mixed use development.
HB 249 / SB 125   Local Limits on Summoning Law Enforcement or Emergency Services
PASSED - Effective July 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
Local jurisdictions are currently prohibited from enacting laws limiting calls to emergency services. This bill clarifies that they are also prohibited from enforcing such ordinances that were previously passed.
HB 489 / SB 436   Study on Single-Staircase Building Code Requirements
PASSED - Effective July 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
The Maryland Department of Labor to study building code requirements for single-staircase buildings and make other recommendations to increase affordable housing options.
HB 1061   State-Owned Property - Inventory and Disposition - Housing
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support with Amendments
Each state agency would be required to report to the Department of Planning on excess property that would be suitable for redevelopment as housing, and set housing production goals for those properties.
HB 1193   Maryland Housing Data Transparency Act
PASSED - Effective July 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
This bill requires counties with at least 150,000 residents to make quarterly reports to the Department of Planning outlining the number and type of residential building permits issued by that county, beginning on January 1, 2027. Smaller jurisdictions may submit this same information.


FAIR HOUSING
HB 13   Real Property - Residential Contracts of Sale - Buyer Privacy Rights
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
This bill would prohibit the name of an individual buyer from being included in a contract of sale until after the seller of the property had accepted the contract.
HB 242   Discrimination in Housing - Consumer Credit History
WITHDRAWN
POSITION: Oppose
Adds consumer credit history as a protected class for housing and related services, preventing screening or qualifications based upon their credit history, creditworthiness or credit capacity.
HB 392 / SB 107   Fair Housing Testing
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support
If passed, this bill would conform Maryland to the federal standard of one-party consent for audio and video recording if the purpose of that recording is to enforce fair housing laws.
HB 896 / SB 677   Income-Based Housing Subsidies
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
If using housing assistance to pay rent, a landlord could not have refused to rent based on the prospective tenant's income, credit score, lack of credit score, or adverse credit history.
HB 1239   Housing Discrimination - Regulations, Intent, and Discriminatory Effect
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support
This bill would have inserted federal standards on disparate impact evaluations and local requirements to affirmatively further Fair Housing into state law.
SB 484 / HB 487   Unhoused Individuals - Rights, Civil Action, and Affirmative Defense
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
This provided unhoused individuals certain rights relating to engaging in "life-sustaining activities," but would have intruded upon private property rights in some instances.
SB 514 / HB 1077   Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
If passed, a landlord would have been restricted from using a prospective tenant's criminal history records in making a conditional offer to rent, and could only consider certain criminal history thereafter.


TAX RATES AND CREDITS
HB 23   Property Taxes - Special Rate for Commercial and Industrial Property
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
Localities would be able to establish a subclass of commercial and industrial property and set special property tax rates for financing transportation or education needs.
HB 87 / SB 132   Short-Term Rentals and Home Amenity Rentals - Regulation
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
This bill would have applied hotel health and safety requirements to short-term rental units and home amenities, and allowed localities to define "high-intensity" usage of those rentals.
HB 342   State Transfer Tax - Rates and Distribution of Revenue
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
A graduated tax rate structure for residential and nonresidential transactions would be imposed, resulting in over $100 million in additional transfer taxes on real estate annually.
HB 390 / SB 327   Affordable Housing Payment In Lieu of Taxes Expansion Act
PASSED - Effective June 1, 2025
POSITION: Monitor
Operators of rental housing developments may enter into payment in lieu of taxes with local governments for maintaining at least 25% of the units as affordable.
HB 641   State Property Tax - Transportation Funding Act of 2025
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
The Governor would be required to submit a proposal for a State property tax to support transportation projects and programs each year.
HB 698 / SB 814   Development Impact Fees, Surcharges, and Excise Taxes - Reporting
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
By July 1, each county must annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly information relating to the collection and expenditure of development impact fees, surcharges, or excise taxes over the prior year.
HB 1428 / SB 582   Sale of Residential Property - Taxes and Offers to Purchase
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
This bill would have imposed excise taxes on properties owned by hedge funds, as well as a 30-day lockout period and 15% transfer tax on properties sold to investors.
HB 1014 / SB 859   Fair Share for Maryland Act of 2025
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
Among its many provisions, this act would have lowered estate tax thresholds from $5 million to $2 million and imposed additional taxes on pass-through entities.
HB 1554   Sales and Use Tax - Taxable Business Services
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
While scaled back from the 2024 version, this bill would have imposed a 2.5% services tax on accounting, consulting, photography, advertising and financial services provided in the state.
SB 979   Short-Term Rentals - Tax Collection by Comptroller
PASSED - Effective July 1, 2027
POSITION: Support
Short-term rental platforms with at least 200 bookings or $100,000 in revenue will collect and remit the applicable hotel occupancy tax to the Comptroller, which will then be distributed to the respective county where the rental is located.


COMMON OWNERSHIP COMMUNITIES
HB 292 / SB 63   Funding of Reserve Accounts and Preparation of Funding Plans
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
This bill grants additional flexibility to meet required reserve funding requirements and creates a financial hardship process to alter approved reserve funding plans for up to 1 fiscal year.
HB 294 / SB 71   Task Force on Common Ownership Communities
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support with Amendments
This bill would have created a Task Force to study the education and training needs of common ownership community boards and new and prospective owners in these communities.
HB 303   Regulation of Common Ownership Community Managers
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support
If passed, this bill would have created a state board within the Department of Labor to oversee the licensing of community managers.
HB 306 / SB 866   Common Ownership Communities - Ombudsman
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support
This would have created an Ombudsman Unit in the Office of the Attorney General to respond to complaints and established a database of governing documents accessible to the public.
HB 1411 / SB 1011   Insufficient Condominium Reserve Account Grant Fund - Establishment
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support with Amendments
Low-income condominium owners would have access to a grant fund to pay increased assessments resulting from reserve account funding requirements.
HB 1221   Common Ownership Communities - Online Publication of Resale Disclosures
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support
Associations would be required to publish all resale disclosures that are not specific to a particular unit on their webpage without cost to view or download.


PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
HB 273   Late Payment Penalties - Calculation
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: No Position
Landlords may charge a late penalty of 5% of the amount of the unpaid rent rather than of the total amount due.
HB 709 / SB 651   Residential Leases - Local Good Cause Termination Provisions
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
If enacted in the county, landlords would be required to renew a tenant's lease unless certain conditions are met or the tenant commits specified violations of the lease.
HB 767   Notice Procedures for Evictions
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Oppose as Introduced
Landlords will provide notice to a tenant when a court has issued a warrant of restitution for a failure of a tenant to pay rent, a breach of lease, or a tenant holding over listing the initial date of eviction as set by the courts.
HB 1076   Landlord and Tenant - Notice of Landlord Entry
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Oppose as Introduced
A landlord must provide written notice to the tenant at least 24 hours prior to planned entry into the unit, unless an emergency exists. A landlord may only enter between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or as agreed to by the tenant.
HB 1152 / SB 896   Pet Policy Disclosure (Pet Policy Transparency Act)
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Oppose as Introduced
Landlords must provide the property's pet policy on the property's website and as part of an application form for a rental unit on the property.
SB 609 / HB 817   Use of Algorithmic Device by Landlord to Determine Rent
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
Landlord may not use algorithmic devices or software to determine the amount of rent to charge a residential tenant. Future use would violate the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.
SB 32   Expedited Hearing and Service of Summons for Active Duty Service Members
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
The District Court shall hold a hearing on a tenant holding over within 45 days if the landlord or the landlord's spouse is on active duty with the United States military. The use of private service of process is also allowed if the summons is not delivered within 10 days.
SB 856   Maryland Tenant Mold Protection Act
PASSED - Effective July 1, 2025
POSITION: Oppose as Introduced
This requires a landlord to provide the informational pamphlet on mold to each tenant at the time the lease is signed and at tenant request; perform a mold assessment within 15 days after notice; and remediate mold within 45 days after the assessment is completed, if possible.


LAND-USE, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
HB 4 / SB 120   Restrictions on Use - Solar Collector Systems
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
Restrictions that increase the cost of the installation of a solar collector system by more than 5% or reduce the energy generation by 10% are prohibited.
HB 49   Building Energy Performance Standards - Alterations and Analysis
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Oppose as Introduced
Initially, this bill would have charged a fee for buildings that did not meet energy usage requirements. As amended, this bill certifies county building energy programs and excludes emissions from public health and safety facilities.
HB 212   Building Standards - Fossil Fuel Use and Electric-Ready Standards
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
All new buildings would be required to meet all energy demands without the use of fossil fuels by January 1, 2026.
HB 671   On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems - Climate Vulnerable Areas
WITHDRAWN
POSITION: Oppose
This bill would have prohibited the installation of new on-site sewage disposal systems and limited the replacement of existing systems in climate vulnerable areas.
HB 747   On-Site Wastewater Systems - Requirements for Inspection and Pumping
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose as Introduced
This bill would have required septic inspections and pump outs for each rental property at change of tenancy and for all properties during a home sale.
HB 973 / SB 804   Better Buildings Act of 2025
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Oppose
New buildings and significant improvements of buildings would meet all water and space heating demands without the use of fossil fuels, meet energy conservation requirements, and meet an electric- and solar-ready standard.
SB 117 / HB 131   Bay Restoration Fund - Septic System Upgrade Program
PASSED - Effective July 1, 2026
POSITION: Support
This bill modifies the prioritization and eligibility for projects that receive funding from the Bay Restoration Fund's (BRF) septics account, adding failing systems in the broader Chesapeake Bay watershed and those in the 500-year floodplain.


COMMERCIAL AND AFFILIATED INDUSTRIES
HB 347 / SB 150   Real Property - Recordation and Land Records - Requirements
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Monitor
This bill makes technical changes to reflect electronic filing of documents, formatting of filings, and removes outdated references.
HB 1021   Real Estate Appraisers - Licensure and Certification
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support
This bill exempts applicants from needing to hold a bachelor's degree or higher to qualify for licensure as a real estate appraiser or certification as a residential real estate appraiser.
HB 1151   Residential Real Property Sales - Appraisals
DID NOT PASS
POSITION: Support with Amendments
Appraisers would have been required to consider information provided by buyers and sellers, and would have created a state process for reconsideration of appraised values for properties.
HB 1516 / SB 1026   Maryland Secondary Market Stability Act of 2025
PASSED - Effective Upon Enactment
POSITION: Support
This bill clarifies the state licensing requirements for passive trusts and other financial services providers, maintaining the ability of mortgage loans to be securitized on the secondary market.
SB 218 / HB 264   Professional Licenses - Suspension and Revocation for Workplace Fraud
WITHDRAWN
POSITION: Monitor
Certain state licensing authorities would be required to suspend or revoke licensees who are reported by the Commissioner of Labor to have committed workplace fraud.
SB 689 / HB 1018   Conventional Home Mortgage Loans - Assumption and Disclosures
PASSED - Effective October 1, 2025
POSITION: Support with Amendments
This bill requires banking institutions, credit unions, and mortgage lenders to include a provision in all conventional home mortgage loans that allows any of the existing borrowers to assume the mortgage in the event of a divorce. This applies to both new and existing mortgages.


FY 2026 STATE BUDGET
HB 352   Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act
PASSED - Effective Beginning June 1, 2025
POSITION: Oppose as Introduced
The Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act was amended several times over the course of the session. REALTORS® opposed measures to reduce the estate tax exemption limit, discontinue opportunity zone credits, and eliminate itemization on state tax returns. The final version makes several changes:
  • Itemization: Increasing the standard deduction by 20%, while gradually phasing out itemized deductions for those with adjusted gross incomes above $200,000.
  • Income Taxes: Adds two new income tax brackets:
    • 6.25% for single filers of $500,000 - $1 million and joint filers of $600,000 - $1.2 million
    • 6.5% for single filers above $1 million and joint filers above $1.2 million
  • Capital Gains: Establishes a 2% surcharge on net capital gains if adjusted gross income is above $350,000. This does not apply to the gains from the sale of real property used as a primary residence sold for less than $1.5 million.
  • Technology Taxes: Imposes a 3% tax on data and IT services provided within Maryland, based upon federally defined categories, while excluding certain cloud computing, cyber security, and other emerging technology services.
  • Removal of Tax Exemptions: Repeals current exemptions for sales of photography used in advertising; sales of coins or bullion over $1,000; and vending machine sales.
  • Local Income Taxes: Local governments are authorized to increase the local income tax rate from 3.2% to 3.3%.
  • New Vehicle Fees and Taxes: Includes increases to increase:
    • titling fees to $200;
    • excise tax rates to 6.5%;
    • annual registration fees for passenger, truck, multipurpose and rental vehicles;
    • rental car taxes to 3.5%; and,
    • $5 fee per tire purchased.