On February 17, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 840 – Property Tax – Credit for Commercial Buildings Rented to Small Businesses.

This bill authorizes local governments to grant, by local law, a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented (or rented-to-own) at fair market value to small businesses located in an Arts and Entertainment District or a Main Street Maryland community.

Counties support small business growth and revitalization, especially in the walkable downtown corridors and commercial districts that anchor many local communities. HB 840 offers a practical, local tool to support that work without mandating a new statewide credit or automatically reducing local revenues.

From MACo Testimony:

The bill takes the right approach by making the credit optional and locally designed. Local governments may set the amount and duration of the credit, establish additional eligibility criteria, and adopt application procedures. That structure allows counties and municipalities to tailor incentives to local economic conditions and fiscal capacity.

HB 840’s cross-file, SB 767, was heard on March 3 in the Budget and Taxation Committee. Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified in support of this bill.

SB 767 was heard in the opposite chamber, the Ways and Means Committee, on March 24. MACo submitted written testimony in support of this bill.

More on MACo’s Advocacy: 

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2026 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2026 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog