MD HB286

Replaces the existing 12 planning "visions" for local comprehensive planning with 8 streamlined "planning principles" covering land use, transportation, housing, economy, equity, resilience, place, and ecology.

Requires planning commissions to implement principles including optimizing working landscapes (farms, forests, fisheries), prioritizing development near existing infrastructure, and enabling diverse housing types and affordability options.

Adds new emphasis on equity (engaging underserved populations in planning), resilience (minimizing impacts from natural and human-caused threats), and adaptive reuse/mixed-use development.

Updates the State Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Policy to consist of the same 8 planning principles for advancing sustainable growth statewide.

Takes effect October 1, 2025; approved by Governor Wes Moore on April 8, 2025.