The Maryland Tourism Coalition Legislative Committee is currently monitoring the following legislation being considered by the General Assembly. The committee convenes every Monday at 12:00 pm via Zoom to discuss legislation, tourism positions, and courses of action. All MTC members are encouraged to join these calls and share their thoughts on the issues at hand. If you have questions or comments about any of the bills below or if you think there is another issue or piece of legislation MTC should be monitoring, please email our Legislative Committee Chair, Matt Libber at mlibber@mdsoccerplex.org. Please also email Matt for Zoom details.

2025 Maryland Tourism Coalition Bill Tracking 

Bill Number XFile Bill Number Sponsor Synopsis Title Current Status Report Action Committee Position
HB0017   Delegate Atterbeary Would authorize internet gaming in Maryland with funding received going directly to the school operating budget of each county Internet Gaming – Authorization and Implementation Hearing 2/10 at 11:00 a.m.   Ways and Means Oppose
Written Testimony To  Submitted 02/07 Oral Testimony 2/10
HB0029 SB0917 Delegate Morgan, T. Requires Credit Card Processors to separate all parts of a transaction into separate parts and prevent processing fees to be charged on certain portions Electronic Payment Transactions – Interchange Fees – Calculation and Use of Data Hearing 1/21 at 1:00 p.m.   Economic Matters Oppose
Written Testimony Submitted 1/17
HB0042 SB0134 Delegate Boyce Adds a $2 for ton surcharge to compostable waste  Solid Waste Disposal Surcharge and Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Fund and Grant Programs – Established First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment and Budget and Taxation Favorable with Amendments Environment and Transportation Monitor
HB0087 SB0132 Delegate Foley Would add short term rentals to a taxable entities for hotel taxes, among other things. Short-Term Rentals and Home Amenity Rentals – Taxation, Regulation, and Crimes Hearing 1/28 at 1:00 p.m. (Ways and Means)   Ways and Means Monitor
HB0105   Delegate Edelson Authorizes the use of bonds to cover the cost of replacing the light rail cars Department of Transportation – Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle Bonds – Light Rail Replacement Vehicles Hearing 1/28 at 1:30 p.m.   Appropriations Monitor for Cross-file
HB0163 SB0079 Delegate Hartman Allows out of state dealers to attend MD RV Shows Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Shows in Worcester County – Permit for Out-of-State Dealers First Reading Judicial Proceedings Favorable Environment and Transportation Support
written and oral testimony
HB0169 SB0064 Delegate Allen Designating the Natural History Society of Maryland as the State natural history museum State Designations – State Natural History Museum – Natural History Society of Maryland Hearing 3/13 at 3:00 p.m.   Health and Government Operations Monitor
HB0300 SB0127 Delegate Kerr altering the rate at which nonprofit organizations receiving State–funded grants or contracts may be reimbursed for indirect costs to the De Minimis rate State Government – Grants and Contracts – Reimbursement of Indirect Costs Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m. Favorable with Amendments Health and Government Operations Monitor
HB0350 SB0319 Speaker Annual Budget Bill Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026) Second Reading Passed with Amendments   Appropriations Advocate for MTDB and MSA Budget at Hearing
HB0385   Delegate Lehman Require businesses using a POS systems to include a disclaimer in the tip screen about how tips will be distributed, and requiring default amount to be 0 Consumer Protection – Automatic Tip Prompt Screen – Requirements Hearing 3/19 at 1:00 p.m. Favorable with Amendments Economic Matters Monitor
HB0469 SB0050 Delegate Nkongolo Changes the name of the AA Co. CVB within the existing enabling law. Local Government – Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau Designation Third Reading Passed (47-0) Favorable Environment and Transportation Support 
Written Testimony
HB0498 SB0427 Speaker Overhaul of the Economic Development Corp. Economic Development – Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. (Ways and Means)   Ways and Means Submit Informational Letter
HB0541 SB0365 Delegate Guzzone Creates an entity within Dept of Commerce to assist non-profits with grant applications process Department of Commerce – Nonprofit Organizations Navigator – Established Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.   Health and Government Operations Monitor
HB0570 SB0803 Talbot County Delegation Penalty for late payment of Hotel Tax in Talbot County Talbot County – Hotel Rental Tax – Time of Penalty for Nonpayment First Reading Budget and Taxation Favorable Ways and Means Monitor, per Cassandra Vanhooser
HB0655 SB0798 Wicomico County Delegation Establishing a temporary to-go event permit in Wicomico County Wicomico County – Alcoholic Beverages – Temporary To-Go Event Permit and Class C Per Diem Municipal To-Go Beer, Wine, and Liquor License Favorable Report by Finance Favorable Economic Matters Monitor per Wicomico
HB0656 SB0799 Wicomico County Delegation Authorizes Class B license for Athletic and Event Facilities Wicomico County – Alcoholic Beverages Licenses – Athletic and Event Facility License Unfavorable Report by Economic Matters; Withdrawn Withdrawn Economic Matters Monitor per Wicomico
HB0685 SB0826 Delegate Hinebaugh Establishing the Class BC-resort beer, wine, and liquor license.  Garrett County Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2025 Favorable Report by Finance Favorable with Amendments Economic Matters Monitor
HB0705   Delegate Valderrama Prohibiting the governing body of a county or municipality from enacting a local law or ordinance prohibiting the offering of residential property as a short-term rental by an operator solely because the operator is a lessee or sublessee   Real Property – Short-Term Rentals Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.   Environment and Transportation Monitor
HB0997 SB0324 Delegate Spiegel Authorizes jurisdictions to impose up to a 3% tax on food and beverages sold at venues that are subject to the Admissions and Amusement tax. Admissions and Amusement Tax – Food and Beverages Hearing 2/24 at 11:00 a.m.   Ways and Means Oppose with written testimony
HB1001 SB0562 Delegate Hartman Making the Orange Crush the Official Cocktail of Maryland State Designations – State Cocktail – Original Maryland Orange Crush First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment Favorable with Amendments Health and Government Operations Support with Written Testimony
HB1005   Delegate Fisher Would make tips tax free and also  Income Tax – Tips or Gratuities – Subtraction Modification (No Income Taxes on Tips Act) Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m.   Ways and Means Monitor
HB1016 SB0672 Delegate Wells Establishing the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority to govern the renovation, revitalization, and ongoing maintenance and operations of the Baltimore Convention Economic Development – Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority – Established First Reading Finance Favorable with Amendments Ways and Means Support with Written Testimony
HB1026 SB0636 Frederick County Delegation Technical changes to Fred Co tasting permits Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Tasting Permits Favorable Report by Finance Favorable Economic Matters Monitor
HB1103 SB0979 Delegate Atterbeary STR Tax and regulation bill Local Government – Accommodations Intermediaries – Hotel Rental Tax Collection by Comptroller Hearing 2/24 at 11:00 a.m.   Ways and Means Monitor
HB1184 SB0477 Delegate Reilly Extends the deadline and size of the Park Port of Deposit State Historical Park – Size and Scope Hearing 2/28 at 1:00 p.m.   Environment and Transportation Monitor
HB1228   Montgomery County Delegation Study the tourist and visitor economy of the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve Department of Commerce – Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve Study MC 15-25 Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. Favorable with Amendments Environment and Transportation Monitor
HB1277 SB0638 Delegate Hinebaugh DNR must collect 8% hotel tax at Savage River Lodge and with 6% back to promoting the County Department of Natural Resources – Savage River Lodge – Hotel Rental Surcharge Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m. Favorable with Amendments Environment and Transportation Support
HB1327 SB0980 Delegate Wivell Update Heritage Area Authority Funding and Grant Structure Natural Resources – Maryland Heritage Areas Authority – Funding and Grants Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.   Environment and Transportation Support
HB1370 SB0881 Delegate Spiegel Add a 1% tax to hotel tax and .5% on sales tax in certain jurisdictions to pay for transportation projects Transportation – Regional Transportation Authorities Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. (Environment and Transportation)   Environment and Transportation Oppose
HB1400 SB0823 Delegate Boafo Excludes tips from state income tax, increases min. wage to $20/hr. No Tax on Tips Act Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. (Economic Matters)   Economic Matters Monitor
HB1451 SB0779 Delegate Chisholm Modifies the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 to delay implementation Climate Solutions Affordability Act of 2025 Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m. (Environment and Transportation)   Environment and Transportation Monitor
HB1458 SB0809 Delegate Boafo Constitutional amendment proposal to require all workers to make the state minimum wage Declaration of Rights – Right to Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers Hearing canceled   Economic Matters Monitor
HB1523   Howard County Delegation   Howard County – Room Rental Tax – Maximum Rate and Distribution Ho. Co. 18-25 Hearing 3/27 at 1:00 p.m. Favorable Ways and Means Support
HB1554 SB1045 Delegate Moon Add Sales tax to certain services Sales and Use Tax – Taxable Business Services – Alterations Hearing 3/12 at 1:00 p.m.   Ways and Means Oppose
SB0016   Senator Corderman Cap of $300K/80% of project by MHAA.  Decrease max Open Space Funds for Operations to 7%, Increases max Open Space Funds from $3M to $12M Natural Resources – Maryland Heritage Areas Authority – Funding and Grants Unfavorable Report by Budget and Taxation; Withdrawn Withdrawn Budget and Taxation Bill is dead
SB0050 HB0469 Senator Simonaire Changes the name of the AA Co. CVB within the existing enabling law. Local Government – Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau Designation Returned Passed Favorable with Amendments Education, Energy, and the Environment Support 
Written Testimony Submitted1/17
SB0053   Senator Bailey Extends the hours of crabbing from July 1-Sept 30th Natural Resources – Commercial Crab Harvest – Start Time Unfavorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment; Withdrawn Withdrawn Education, Energy, and the Environment Monitor
SB0064 HB0169 Senator Klausmeier Designating the Natural History Society of Maryland as the State 4 natural history museum State Designations – State Natural History Museum – Natural History Society of Maryland Hearing 3/13 at 1:00 p.m.   Education, Energy, and the Environment Monitor
SB0079 HB0163 Senator Carozza Allows out of state dealers to attend MD RV Shows Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Shows in Worcester County- Permit for Out-of-State Dealers Hearing 1/22 at 10:00 a.m.   Judicial Proceedings Support
Written Testimony Submitted 1/20
Oral Testimony 1/22
SB0127 HB0300 Senator Kagan altering the rate at which nonprofit organizations receiving State–funded grants or contracts may be reimbursed for indirect costs to the De Minimis rate State Government – Grants and Contracts – Reimbursement of Indirect Costs Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. Favorable with Amendments Budget and Taxation Monitor
SB0132 HB0087 Senator Feldman Would add short term rentals to a taxable entities for hotel taxes, among other things. Short-Term Rentals and Home Amenity Rentals – Taxation, Regulation, and Crimes Hearing canceled (Education, Energy, and the Environment)   Education, Energy, and the Environment Monitor
SB0134 HB0042 Senator Hester Adds a $2 for ton surcharge to compostable waste  Solid Waste Disposal Surcharge and Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Fund and Grant Programs – Established Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m. (Education, Energy, and the Environment)   Education, Energy, and the Environment Monitor
SB0319 HB0350 President Annual Budget Bill Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026) First Reading Budget and Taxation   Budget and Taxation Advocate for MTDB and MSA Budget at Hearing
SB0324 HB0997 Senator McCray Authorizes jurisdictions to impose up to a 3% tax on food and beverages sold at venues that are subject to the Admissions and Amusement tax. Admissions and Amusement Tax – Food and Beverages Hearing 1/29 at 10:30 a.m.   Budget and Taxation Oppose
Written Testimony submitted 1/27
SB0340   Senator Watson Would authorize internet gaming in Maryland  Internet Gaming – Authorization and Implementation Hearing 1/29 at 10:30 a.m.   Budget and Taxation Oppose
Written testimony submitted 1/27
SB0355   Senator Hershey Delay the implementation of the Family and Medical Leave Program Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Delay of Implementation Hearing 2/05 at 2:00 p.m.   Finance Monitor
SB0365 HB0541 Senator Kagan Creates an entity within Dept of Commerce to assist non-profits with grant applications process Department of Commerce – Nonprofit Organizations Navigator – Established Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. Favorable with Amendments Finance Monitor
SB0427 HB0498 President Overhaul of the Economic Development Corp. Economic Development – Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. (Budget and Taxation)   Budget and Taxation Summit Informational Letter
SB0477 HB1184 Cecil County Senators Extends the deadline and size of the Park Port of Deposit State Historical Park – Size and Scope Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.   Education, Energy, and the Environment Monitor
SB0562 HB1001 Senator Hersey Making the Orange Crush the Official Cocktail of Maryland State Designations – State Cocktail – Original Maryland Orange Crush Hearing 3/13 at 1:00 p.m.   Education, Energy, and the Environment Support with Written Testimony
SB0636 HB1026 Senator Folden Technical changes to Fred Co tasting permits Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Tasting Permits First Reading Economic Matters Favorable with Amendments Finance Monitor
SB0638 HB1277 Senator McKay DNR must collect 8% hotel tax at Savage River Lodge and with 6% back to promoting the County Department of Natural Resources – Savage River Lodge – Hotel Rental Surcharge Unfavorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment; Withdrawn Withdrawn Education, Energy, and the Environment Support with Written Testimony
SB0642   Senator Gallion Modifies the law passed last year to limit it to just trampoline parks. Courts – Prohibited Liability Agreements – Indoor Trampoline Parks Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.   Judicial Proceedings Support with written testimony
SB0672 HB1016 Senator Washington, M. Establishing the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority to govern the renovation, revitalization, and ongoing maintenance and operations of the Baltimore Convention
Full Text Not Avail 1/31		 Economic Development – Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority – Established Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m.   Finance Support with Written Testimony
SB0763 HB1278 Senator McKay Adds STR to Hotel Tax for Garrett County
Full Text Not Avail 1/31		 Garrett County – Hotel Rental Tax – Alterations Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.   Budget and Taxation Support with written testimony
SB0779 HB1451 Senator Gallion Modifies the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 to delay implementation Climate Solutions Now Act Affordability Act of 2025 Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m. (Education, Energy, and the Environment)   Education, Energy, and the Environment Monitor
SB0798 HB0655 Wicomico County Senators Establishing a temporary to-go event permit in Wicomico County Wicomico County – Alcoholic Beverages – Temporary To-Go Event Permit and Class C Per Diem Municipal To-Go Beer, Wine, and Liquor License First Reading Economic Matters Favorable Finance Monitor per Wicomico
SB0799 HB0656 Wicomico County Senators Authorizes Class B license for Athletic and Event Facilities Wicomico County – Alcoholic Beverages Licenses – Athletic and Event Facility License Unfavorable Report by Finance; Withdrawn Withdrawn Finance Monitor per Wicomico
SB0803 HB0570 Talbot County Senators Penalty for late payment of Hotel Tax in Talbot County Talbot County – Hotel Rental Tax – Time of Penalty for Nonpayment Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.   Budget and Taxation Monitor, per Cassandra Vanhooser
SB0809 HB1458 Senator McCray Constitutional amendment proposal to require all workers to make the state minimum wage Declaration of Rights – Right to Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers Unfavorable Report by Finance; Withdrawn Withdrawn Finance Monitor
SB0823 HB1400 Senator McCray Excludes tips from state income tax, increases min. wage to $20/hr. No Tax on Tips Act Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m. (Finance)   Finance Monitor
SB0826 HB0685 Senator McKay Establishing the Class BC-resort beer, wine, and liquor license.  Garrett County Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2025 First Reading Economic Matters Favorable Finance Monitor
SB0881 HB1370 Senator Rosapepe Add a 1% tax to hotel tax and .5% on sales tax in certain jurisdictions to pay for transportation projects Transportation – Regional Transportation Authorities Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m. (Budget and Taxation)   Budget and Taxation Oppose
SB0917 HB0029 Senator Kramer Requires Credit Card Processors to separate all parts of a transaction into separate parts and prevent processing fees to be charged on certain portions Electronic Payment Transactions – Interchange Fees – Calculation and Use of Data Unfavorable Report by Finance; Withdrawn Withdrawn Finance Oppose
Written Testimony 
SB0979 HB1103 Senator Guzzone STR Tax and regulation bill Local Government – Accommodations Intermediaries – Hotel Rental Tax Collection by Comptroller Laid Over (Senator Zucker) Adopted   Budget and Taxation Monitor
SB0980 HB1327 Senator Corderman Update Heritage Area Authority Funding and Grant Structure Natural Resources – Maryland Heritage Areas Authority – Funding and Grants Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m. Favorable with Amendments Budget and Taxation Support
SB1045 HB1554 Senator Hettleman Add Sales tax to certain services Sales and Use Tax – Taxable Business Services – Alterations Hearing 3/12 at 3:00 p.m.   Budget and Taxation Oppose