MD SB653

Authorizes the Maryland Stadium Authority, University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and Baltimore City Community College to establish a procurement preference program for companies with IRS-approved Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

Permits participating units to apply an ESOP evaluation factor of up to 10% in the technical evaluation of competitive sealed proposals

Applies only to procurements valued at less than $80,000,000

Requires contractors seeking the ESOP preference to submit written verification of their IRS determination letter with their proposal

Mandates a report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2028 on contracts awarded to ESOP companies during fiscal years 2026-2028 and an evaluation of program effectiveness; the pilot program sunsets on June 30, 2030