Ways and Means Committee holds hearings on a slate of local tax, election and property bills

Annapolis — The House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 26 held hearings on a package of local and statewide bills addressing property-tax treatment, election registration, tax-sale notices and municipal taxing authority.

Committee Chair Atterberry opened the session and called presentations on a series of bills; presenters finished with a request for favorable reports but no committee votes were recorded during the hearing.

House Bill 13-43 — Anne Arundel County property tax credit for large licensed childcare homes Josh, presenting on behalf of Delegate Dana Jones, told the committee the bill would expand Anne Arundel County's authority to grant property tax credits “to owners of licensed large childcare homes.” He said Maryland faces “a childcare crisis” and that HB 13-43 would give the county another tool to reduce provider costs in neighborhoods with limited access to care, including Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Severn, Brooklyn Park and South County. The presentation included favorable testimony from the county executive's office and delegation support. The hearing concluded with no committee vote recorded.

House Bill 12-80 — Allow unaffiliated voters to affiliate during early voting Delegate Lily Chee told the committee HB 12-80 would allow unaffiliated registered voters to affiliate with a party at the time they register in person during early voting, so they may participate in closed primaries without meeting the current three-week deadline. Chee said unaffiliated voters now number about 900,000 in Maryland and argued the change would make primaries more inclusive. Committee members questioned administrative details and how the bill would interact with same‑day registration; an elections official on the panel clarified that someone using same‑day registration can choose party affiliation, but the bill would change the process for already registered unaffiliated voters. The hearing concluded with no committee vote recorded.

House Bill 13-32 — Glenstone Foundation property tax exemption…