A proposal to shift Maryland’s property assessment cycle from three years to five years appears unlikely to advance this session after failing to meet the crossover deadline.
MACo opposed HB 1518, citing concerns that the change would increase the lag between real estate market changes and the resources counties rely on to fund essential services.
Counties rely on timely, accurate property assessments to maintain stable, predictable revenue streams.
Extending the assessment cycle reduces the frequency with which values reflect market activity and increases the lag between changes in the real estate market and local revenue. In periods of sustained appreciation, that delay pushes needed local revenue further out while costs continue to rise.
County governments fund education, public safety, infrastructure, public health, and other core services in real time. A longer assessment cycle weakens the connection between market value and the resources counties depend on to meet those obligations.
The proposal also comes as counties face sustained fiscal pressure from cost shifts and unfunded mandates. State budget actions continue to increase pressure on county budgets, as counties manage growing service demands with limited revenue flexibility.
Maryland’s current triennial system balances stability with regular market review. Shifting to a five-year cycle would have introduced a longer revenue lag and weakened counties’ ability to sustain funding for core services.
HB 1518 does not have a Senate crossfile.
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