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House approves bill letting SDAT use aerial imagery to identify properties amid tax assessment debate
Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 6 to allow the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to use aerial and oblique imagery for property identification. Supporters said the technology improves accuracy and speeds inspections; opponents warned it could raise assessments, increase property taxes and shift costs to counties.
Annapolis, Feb. 24 — The House passed House Bill 6 on third reading, authorizing the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) to use aerial and oblique images to identify and verify real property across the state.
Supporters said the change modernizes SDAT operations and helps the agency detect changes to properties more quickly. “This is simply about identifying your property in a more efficient and effective way,” said the floor leader. He added that SDAT already uses similar technology in multiple Maryland jurisdictions and that “the facts say the data is better.”
Opponents raised concerns about higher assessed values, potential increases in property taxes, and the bill’s impact on counties’ budgets. “If we continue this process of pushing values up ... I fear we're gonna continue to push people willingly and unwillingly out of their homes,” said the delegate from Anne Arundel County, who urged the chamber to reject the bill. The minority whip read the fiscal note during debate, saying a pilot study indicated the statewide assessable real property base could increase by $1,250,000,000.
Why it matters: A broader or faster identification process could change how often properties are inspected or flagged for reassessment. Several delegates warned that any rise in assessed values could have downstream effects for homeowners on fixed incomes and for counties required to pick up implementation costs.
Key details: Debate touched on SDAT staffing, county cost-sharing and the fiscal-note estimate of an increased assessable base. According to discussion on the floor, SDAT assesses about 2.5 million properties on a three‑year cycle with a staff of roughly 400; proponents said aerial imagery lets staff confirm changes (for example, demolitions or added square footage) more quickly.
The bill includes cost-sharing language discussed on the floor: counties would reimburse costs up to $1,000,000 and pick up 50% of costs above that threshold, according to questions raised during debate. Supporters said counties benefit from more accurate records and that the bill is not itself a rate increase mechanism; opponents said the practical effect may still be higher taxes for homeowners.
Vote: The clerk recorded 92 votes in the affirmative; the bill received a constitutional majority and was declared passed.
Sources and evidence: Debate included references to SDAT and a fiscal note produced after a pilot in Anne Arundel and Frederick counties. The minority whip quoted the fiscal note’s estimate and the floor leader cited SDAT-run checks and reports noting improved accuracy from imagery.
Looking ahead: Passage directs SDAT to proceed under the bill’s terms; implementation details, county reimbursements and any changes to assessment outcomes will play out in agency procedures and future budgets.
