On February 20, 2024, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 826- Real Property- Taxation of Vacant Property, Certification of Company Representatives, and Short-Term Rentals. This bill authorizes counties to set a special property tax rate to discourage vacancy and regulate short-term rentals. It also ensures that the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) store accurate contact information of corporate entities with residential properties.
As the frontline actor in housing policy, counties remain committed to working with all stakeholders in broadly advancing comprehensive housing solutions. High vacancy rates, corporate disengagement, and short-term rentals are all major obstacles to Maryland’s affordable housing supply. Without additional tools, counties are powerless to address these challenges.
Leading up to the 2024 legislative session, MACo spent several months working with county housing experts to identify significant factors constraining access to affordable housing in Maryland. HB 826 is the culmination of that work and targets several key components of this crisis: vacancy disincentives, corporate owner transparency, and short-term rental oversight. While this legislation is no silver bullet, it is a major step in the right direction.
HB 826’s cross-file, SB 779, was heard on February 21, 2024 in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Dominic Butchko testified in support of this bill.
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