Several bills advancing this session expand flexible, local tools for housing, small business activity, redevelopment, and family support, backed by MACo.

HB 805 has passed the House and is now before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. The bill authorizes local governments to grant a property tax credit for specified affordable dwellings supported by nonprofit mortgage financing and long-term affordability requirements, allowing counties to align the tool with local housing markets and fiscal capacity.

HB 161 has passed the House and awaits a hearing in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. The bill authorizes a property tax credit for converted retail service stations, addressing redevelopment barriers tied to environmental remediation and site cleanup and supporting reuse for retail, residential, or mixed-use purposes. Its crossfile, SB 58, has passed the Senate and is now before the House Ways and Means Committee.

SB 767 has passed the Senate and is now in the House, with a hearing scheduled in the House Ways and Means Committee. The legislation authorizes a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented to small businesses in designated Arts and Entertainment Districts and Main Street Maryland communities. Its crossfile, HB 840, remains in the House Ways and Means Committee.

HB 363 has passed the House and is now before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. The legislation authorizes counties to establish a local grant modeled on the State child tax credit, allowing targeted support for eligible families based on income. Its crossfile, SB 468, has passed the Senate and awaits a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee.

MACo supports these bills because they preserve local decision-making and provide practical tools counties can tailor to local priorities, fiscal capacity, and community needs, without imposing mandates or reducing local revenue.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.