Friday Five
April 17, 2026 | This week's latest on Maryland business and government
1 — Maryland session takeaways: Relief now, tough choices later
Lawmakers wrapped up the session balancing the budget, advancing an energy package to provide modest utility relief and addressing issues like housing and economic development, while largely deferring long-term fiscal challenges. Supporters point to progress on affordability and growth, but critics argue the solutions rely on short-term fixes and fail to tackle structural deficits, setting up tougher decisions in the years ahead.
Our take: This moment is about more than what happened this session. As we approach a new election cycle, the decisions ahead will shape Maryland’s economic future for years to come. And no matter the outcome, our role remains to advocate, engage and lead. Because if business can’t compete, Maryland can’t compete.
2 — Economists: Maryland budget ‘nibbles’ at affordability
Economists say Maryland’s latest budget avoids new taxes and includes targeted investments in programs like housing and child care, but falls short of meaningfully improving overall affordability for most residents. While some relief is provided, experts warn that looming budget shortfalls could lead to future tax increases or spending cuts, and argue that broader, long-term solutions are needed to ease cost pressures and strengthen the state’s finances.
Quoted: Daraius Irani, vice president of business and public engagement at Towson University, said. “I think the only thing one could say is, with this budget, we didn’t see an increase in taxes, so that keeps Maryland affordable.
3 — Energy bill lands on Moore’s desk on session’s final day
Maryland lawmakers approved the Utility RELIEF Act, a sweeping energy package aimed at lowering rising electricity costs by providing at least $150 in annual savings for most households while offering even greater relief for low-income residents. The bill uses state funds to offset utility charges, invests in clean energy and grid improvements and adds new regulations on utilities and large energy users to prevent costs from being passed on to consumers. While supporters say it improves affordability and transparency, some advocates argue it does not go far enough to fully address long-term rate pressures.
Debate over cost drivers: Republicans have seized on the $150 estimate, arguing that the bill does not go far enough to trim excessive bills. They’ve argued that lawmakers should have walked back the state’s increasing renewable energy commitments, because ratepayers are paying to bolster those projects.
4 — Maryland leaders tout ‘highly productive’ session at first bill signing after Sine Die
Maryland’s top leaders, including Governor Moore, praised the 2026 legislative session as “highly productive” during their first bill signing after Sine Die on Tuesday, highlighting progress on affordability, public safety and health care despite a challenging fiscal environment. They pointed to newly signed measures like vaccine policy changes and short-term rental safety requirements as examples of meaningful outcomes for residents. While leaders emphasized collaboration and results, the session’s chaotic final hours and lingering partisan tensions underscored ongoing disagreements over how effectively the legislature addressed key issues.
What we did: The Maryland Chamber and our partners worked hard this session to beat back proposals that would have further increased the cost of doing business in our state.
5 — Four civil liability changes that failed to pass in Maryland General Assembly
Maryland lawmakers ultimately declined to change key civil litigation rules, rejecting proposals that would have eliminated the cap on noneconomic damages. As a result, existing limits — including the nearly $1 million cap on pain-and-suffering awards — remain in place, reflecting ongoing concerns from insurers and businesses about rising costs.
Industry expert: “The legislature knows that expanding legal liability for small businesses costs the consumer, and we commend them for holding the line in 2026," said Nancy Egan, vice president of state government relations at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
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The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is the state’s leading business advocacy organization — committed to working with our alliance of partners on critical public policy issues. With a focus on economic development and grassroots advocacy, we impact policies that directly affect Maryland business.
