Ways and Means Committee holds first day of senate bill hearings; sponsors seek favorable reports
Loading...
Summary
On March 24 the House Ways and Means Committee heard sponsor-only presentations on a broad slate of senate bills, including a Main Street landlord tax credit, a biotech grant conversion, a Baltimore County FOP exemption and procedural foreclosure notice updates; no votes were taken.
The House Ways and Means Committee held its first day of senate bill hearings on March 24, hearing sponsor-only presentations on a range of tax and local bills and inviting follow-up and written testimony.
Notable sponsor presentations included: - Senate President (presenting House Bill 767/SB 767): an enabling Main Street tax credit allowing localities to provide tax incentives to property owners who reduce rents to keep small businesses on main streets; committee members asked whether the tool affects state property tax and were told it targets local taxes. - Zach Tipton (staff to Chair Bridal): SB 247/HB 400 would convert the Biotech Investment Incentive Tax Credit to a direct grant to simplify access for investors and strengthen venture attraction; sponsor said the change removes structural barriers and had unanimous senate support. - Senator West: SB 30 would allow Baltimore County to exempt a Fraternal Order of Police lodge property from county property taxes starting FY2027; sponsor noted unanimous prior votes and delegation letters. - Senator Brian Simonaire: SB 163 would codify that foreign earned income already excluded under IRC section 911 is not subject to Maryland income tax, clarifying ambiguity identified in Cosgrove v. Comptroller. - Senator Ben Brooks: SB 9 would create a Veterans Day sales-tax holiday with a $2,000 ceiling; SB 58 would tie property tax relief to remediation of underground storage tanks at nuisance service-station sites. - George Reith (legislative director to Senator Hayes): SB 819 would modernize notice requirements for judicial in rem tax foreclosure by aligning them with Maryland Rules and formal service of process.
Most presentations were sponsor-only; committee members asked brief clarifying questions on several bills and Commerce committed to follow up on technical questions for SB 25. The committee adjourned without votes and said it would reconvene the following day.
