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Delegate Long proposes study and moratorium on Baltimore County residential assessment increases, county warns of large revenue losses
Summary
Delegate Long introduced HB 791 to review assessment methodology and consider a moratorium on assessment increases, citing rising foreclosure concerns; the Baltimore County executive office opposed the bill, estimating an FY27 loss of about $70 million in residential assessment revenue.
Delegate Nick Long (sponsor) presented House Bill 791 to the Baltimore County House Delegation, arguing that current assessment practices are not reflecting market realities amid low housing inventory and that rising assessed values are contributing to foreclosure pressures in the county.
"There's not enough inventory on the market right now to actually show the real value," Long said, adding that fierce bidding and escalating sale prices can yield assessment outcomes that do not reflect homeowners' ability to realize that value. He cited foreclosure rates in Baltimore County as a primary concern and asked the delegation to consider a study and policy changes to protect homeowners.
Kiana Twesigy, state legislative officer for the Baltimore County Executive Office of Government Affairs, testified in opposition. "This bill will apply a state mandate on the county to prohibit our ability to tax residential properties at their assessed values," Twesigy said, and the county estimated assessed residential property revenue in FY27 at about $70,000,000. The county asked the delegation to provide an unfavorable report on HB 791.
Delegates discussed the mechanics of assessment and taxation. Long noted the county could adjust the constant yield tax rate but said the proposal would increase transparency and compel local budget scrutiny. Others pressed on whether SDAT's appeals process had been considered; Long said he had appeared before appeals boards and would share Department of Human Services foreclosure data with the delegation for review.
No vote was taken on HB 791 during the session; the hearing concluded with committee staff asked to share materials and follow up offline.
