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MD SB520

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/4/2026

Primary Sponsor

Benjamin Kramer

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Charter county councils may set, by simple majority vote, a property tax rate higher than their charter-imposed limit or collect revenues exceeding charter limits specifically to fund the county's approved public safety budget
  • Excess property tax revenues collected under this authority must be appropriated entirely to the public safety budget, unless collected for funding the county board of education budget under existing law
  • Amends existing Education Article provisions so that excess property tax revenues are no longer required to go solely to the county board of education; revenues collected for public safety are explicitly exempted from that requirement
  • Counties that exceed their charter tax rate or revenue cap may not reduce funding to the county board of education from any other local revenue source below current budget levels
  • Takes effect June 1, 2026, and applies to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026

Legislative Description

Property Tax - Charter Counties - Application of County Tax Limitation on Public Safety Budget

Safety

Last Action

Second Reading Passed with Amendments

3/16/2026

Committee Referrals

Budget and Taxation2/4/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available