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Proposal would lift cap on venison-donation tax credit to aid food banks
Summary
Delegate Ziegler said HB 175 would remove a $300 cap so hunters could claim more tax credits for processing and donating venison to food banks; sponsor pitched the measure as addressing deer overpopulation and food pantry needs but noted uncertainty about utilization estimates.
Delegate Ziegler told the Ways and Means Committee HB 175 would repeal the $300 maximum on Maryland’s income tax credit for processed venison donated to qualified food banks and nonprofits.
Ziegler said the credit was intended both to reduce deer-related harm to farmers and drivers and to increase protein donations to struggling food pantries. "This bill would repeal that maximum that you can get," the sponsor said, noting processing fees are "closer to a $100" per deer, which can make large donations costly for hunters.
The sponsor acknowledged the bill carries a fiscal note and said he was skeptical about some utilization assumptions in that estimate. Delegate Paratha Viskhar asked whether the Maryland Food Bank has reported donation numbers since the credit’s enactment; Ziegler said he would seek that data.
The committee recessed consideration of the bill after the sponsor’s presentation; no vote or formal action was taken during the hearing.
What’s next: The sponsor said he will follow up with utilization data from food bank partners to help the committee evaluate the fiscal assumptions.
