Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 561

Bill Title: County Property Taxes - Classes of Property and Special Rates

Bill Sponsor(s): Senator Madaleno

Subject: Budget & Taxation

Committee: B&T

Bill Summary: This bill would authorize counties to specify the classes of property that are subject to real and personal property taxation and to vary the rates of taxation among the classes.

History: None

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: State law has long established the classes of property subject to county property taxation and required that counties impose one rate of tax that is applicable to all real property. If counties are authorized to set their own classes of property taxation and to vary tax rates among those classes, they will use that authority to push additional tax burden toward business property and engage in further tax discrimination against businesses. Significant real property tax burden is already shifted to businesses as a result of the real property homestead tax credit for residences and the business personal property tax rate that is 2.5 times the real property tax rate.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Ronald Wineholt

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.