All Roll Calls
Yes: 134 • No: 41
MarylandSB 01972026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Land Use - Comprehensive and General Plans - Alteration of Elements
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Local Government - GenerallyAdministrative AgenciesAgriculture -see also- Agritourism; Cannabis Prd; Farm; etc.Air PollutionAirportsAnimals -see also- Birds; Dogs; Domestic An; Horses; LivestkAnnotated Code of MarylandApplicants and ApplicationsBicyclesBoats and ShipsBoundariesCensusChartered Counties -see also- AACo; BCo; CecilCo; etc.Civil Rights and Social EquityClimate ResiliencyCommerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc.Committees and CommissionsCommunity DevelopmentCommunity Facilities and ServicesCommutersConservation -see also- Soil ConservationCorrectional Institutions -see also- Patuxent InstitutionData -see also- Census; DemographicsDemographics -see also- Census; DataEducation -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.Emergency Medical Services -see also- Ambul; RescSqdEmergencies -see also- PandemicsEnvironment, Department of theEnvironmental HealthEnvironmental Matters -see also- Conserv; Nat Resrce; PollutFire ProtectionFish and Fishing -see also- Aquaculture; FishNets&DevFlood ControlForests and Parks -see also- MdNatlCapPkPlnCm; Plants; etc.Health -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.HighwaysHistorical Matters -see also- Archives; Monumts; Museum; etcHospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsHousing and Community Development, Department ofHousing -see also- Apartments; Condos; Mobile & Manuf HomesHuman Infrastructure -see also- WLEIndustry and ManufacturingIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Labor, Department ofLaw Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State PoliceLegislative Services, Department ofLibraries -see also- ArchivesLocal Government MandatesLow-IncomeMaps and ChartsMass Transit -see also- Buses; RailroadsMunicipal Corporations -see also- Annap; BaltNatural Resources -see also- Coal; For&Pks; Rivers; etc.Natural Resources, Department ofPedestriansPlaces of Worship -see also- ReligionPlanning, Department ofPlans and ProposalsPrivate Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchPublic Buildings and Facilities -see also- Stadiums; St HsePublic Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchRacial Matters -see also- Ethnic Affairs; MinoritiesRailroadsReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Rules and RegulationsSalaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. RatesSmart Growth -see also- Zoning and PlanningSports and RecreationStandards and Best PracticesState Highway AdministrationStudentsThreatsTransportation, Department ofTransportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etcWastewaterWater -see also- Coastal Bays; Riv,Str,Lks; Wastewater; etc.Work, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.Zoning and Planning
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Plan and care for public spaces
Beginning October 1, 2026, county plans must include a place element. It plans and programs public spaces to build community, support health, preserve culture, and strengthen the local economy. It draws on state recreation and historic preservation plans and promotes local care of public spaces.
Plan for disasters and recovery
Beginning October 1, 2026, county plans must include a resilience element. It identifies hazards, sets long‑term steps to avoid and reduce damage, and plans for recovery with state and local partners. It relies on the State Resilience Strategy and the Maryland Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Plan for equity in communities
Beginning October 1, 2026, county plans must include an equity element that focuses on overburdened and underserved communities. It uses state demographic and environmental justice data and may set steps to reduce health and environmental risks and boost civic engagement.
Plan for jobs and local economy
Beginning October 1, 2026, county plans must include an economy element. It reviews the local job base, labor force, and the types of businesses the county wants. State agencies must provide labor and economic data and help align plans with workforce and education goals.
Plan safer, more ways to travel
Beginning October 1, 2026, county plans must include a transportation element for a safe, balanced system. It may plan roads, transit, rail, air, and water travel and include bike and pedestrian access. The state transportation department must share the best available data and help counties get data from other agencies.
Faster permit reviews in growth areas
Beginning October 1, 2026, county plans must speed up permit and subdivision reviews in areas marked for growth. Plans must also encourage flexible, cost‑saving site designs that still protect the environment.
Housing plans and fair housing checks
Beginning October 1, 2026, county housing plans cover supply, condition, and sites for future homes, including affordable and workforce housing. For housing elements adopted or changed on or after January 1, 2023—or for charter counties on or after January 1, 2025—the plan must include a fair housing assessment. The Planning and Housing departments provide data and technical help on request.
Plan land, services, and local growth
Beginning October 1, 2026, the Land element maps future uses for homes, jobs, farms, parks, schools, and public buildings. It must include a community facilities plan for items like hospitals, fire stations, parks, and libraries. If the plan covers a town or city, it must add a municipal growth section showing where and how the town will grow and how services are paid for. If current geological data exists, it must plan for mineral resource areas and post‑excavation uses, and the environment department reviews that part. If on tidal waters, it must designate working areas and access for commercial fishing. A town or city can join a county plan if both pass the required resolutions.
State data and help for planning
Beginning October 1, 2026, county planning boards can ask the Maryland Department of Planning to coordinate state agency help. The Department must give guidelines and best practices. The Land element must use specified state plans and Census data that the Department provides.
Eight-part local plans by 2026
Beginning October 1, 2026, every local comprehensive plan includes eight parts: Land, Transportation, Housing, Economy, Equity, Resilience, Place, and Ecology. Plans state clear goals, standards, and strategies and explain how to carry them out. County planning boards choose the plan’s format but must cover all required parts. Each element must address all required subelements and be based on current and future conditions.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/2/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 95 • No: 37 • Other: 10
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 39 • No: 4
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 111
4/14/2026Returned Passed
4/3/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (95-37)
4/2/2026HouseFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/1/2026HouseFavorable Report by Economic Matters
4/1/2026HouseReferred Economic Matters
3/6/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (39-4)
3/5/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
3/3/2026SenateFavorable with Amendments {543226/1 Adopted
3/3/2026SenateFavorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
3/2/2026SenateHearing 1/21 at 11:00 a.m.
1/15/2026SenateFirst Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
1/14/2026SenatePre-filed
9/16/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enacted
4/14/2026
Third Reading
3/3/2026
First Reading
1/14/2026
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