COMMERCIAL AND AFFILIATED INDUSTRIES

HB 850 Home Builders — Open House - Sales Representative Disclosure Requirements – Effective October 1, 2026

Home builders must clearly and conspicuously display a notice at properties held open for prospective buyers that the sales representative represents the builder, not the buyer, and that the buyer may obtain their own representation.

SB 767 Property Tax — Credit for Commercial Buildings Rented to Small Businesses — Effective June 1, 2026

Authorizes county and municipal governments to grant a property tax credit for a commercial building that is rented, or rented to own, to a small business located in an arts and entertainment district, a Main Street Maryland designated community, a Baltimore City designated main street; or any other business improvement district designated by a local government.

HB 252 Lead Paint Abatement Services – Performance Bond and Liability Insurance – Effective July 1, 2026

Lead abatement professionals can be required to carry a performance bond or liability insurance, as determined by MDE.

This coverage will cover property owners if negligence from a covered professional causes harm, including costs like medical care, relocation, cleanup, remediation, and legal expenses.

SB 939 Bankruptcy Proceedings - Exemptions from Execution - Residential Real Property – Effective June 1, 2026

Expands the exemption of owner-occupied real property to specifically include residential real property of a settlor that is held in a revocable trust.

The bill also increases the maximum amount of the exemption to $125,000 for an individual, to be adjusted each fiscal year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The bill applies to any bankruptcy proceeding filed on or after the effective date.