On March 3, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1518 - Property Tax Assessments - 5-Year Assessment Cycle. This bill alters Maryland’s real property assessment cycle from a three-year review to a five-year review and adjusts the phase-in schedule accordingly. Counties depend on timely and accurate property assessments to fund schools, public safety, infrastructure, and essential services. By extending Maryland’s property assessment cycle from three years…

On March 3, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1482 - Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Revisions. HB 1482 would convert a discretionary local tax credit into a mandatory statewide requirement — while significantly expanding eligibility and benefit levels — effectively creating a substantial unfunded mandate. By directly reducing property tax revenues, counties’ primary and most stable…

On March 3, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1427 - Property Tax Credits - Renters' Tax Credit, Homeowners' Tax Credit, and Homestead Tax Credit - Altering Eligibility and Amount with amendments. This bill increases eligibility thresholds and benefit amounts under the Renters’ Tax Credit and the State Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit. It establishes a new income-based limitation for the Homestead Tax Credit. By increasing eligibility…

On March 3, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1308 - Homeowners' Property Tax Credit - Eligibility and Calculation - Alterations with amendments.  This bill increases the assessed-value cap, income brackets, and net-worth and gross-income limits under the State Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit. Counties support expanding property tax relief for Maryland homeowners facing rising costs, but changes to the State Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit must not…

On March 3, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1302 - Property Tax Credit - Disabled Public Safety and Judicial Officers, Surviving Spouses, and Cohabitants - Eligibility with amendments.  This bill alters eligibility for a local-option property tax credit for disabled public safety officers and judicial officers, and surviving spouses or cohabitants of fallen officers, by repealing the current Maryland domicile requirement. While the bill broadens…

On March 3, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1224 - Property Taxes - Special Rate for Vacant and Abandoned Property - Charter County Tax Limitation PG 408-26.  This bill provides charter counties with limited, targeted authority to address vacant and abandoned properties that undermine neighborhoods, reduce property values, and strain local services. Vacant buildings often lead to repeated code enforcement activity, public safety concerns, and…