A bill that would authorize warrant intercept programs statewide has been favorably voted out of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.

SB 425, sponsored by Senator Reilly, would allow a county sheriff to certify to the Comptroller that an individual has an outstanding warrant and to request the Comptroller withhold that individual’s income tax refund. The individual would then be notified about their outstanding warrant. The refund could be withheld from Maryland residents or individuals who receive income from Maryland. The refund is withheld until the warrant is no longer outstanding.

The program, which helps to clear backlogs of outstanding warrants, is currently only authorized in Anne Arundel County, Washington County and Baltimore City.