MarylandSB 03442026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

Sponsored By: Nancy J. King

Signed by Governor

Taxes - PropertyAgriculture -see also- Agritourism; Cannabis Prd; Farm; etc.Applicants and ApplicationsAssessments -see also- Property TaxAssessments and Taxation, Department ofConstructionDeedsEnergy Matters -see also- Fuel; NuclearMatt; PwrPlnts; etc.Energy Technology and InfrastructureEvidenceFarmlandFees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & TaxesLeases and RentNoticesProperty TaxPublic Service CommissionSolar EnergyTimeZoning and Planning

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Farm tax break for community solar

The law treats land used for community solar with farming as farm land. It applies if the system went in service after June 30, 2022 and got PSC approval by December 31, 2030. The land gets farm-use property tax assessment for the system’s life. The law starts June 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Prebuild approval and agrivoltaics tax rules

Before you build, you can ask the Department if your agrivoltaics site will get farm assessment. Your application must include the parcel ID, the expected tax year, a site plan with the solar layout and farm acres, an agrivoltaics plan, a build schedule with the in‑service date, and proof of site control. The Department has 90 days to decide. A yes decision can qualify the land for the next tax year once you finish construction, report it, file the farm‑use application, and allow site checks. The Department can charge an application fee and can cancel approval if you change the project, skip notice or filings, stop farm activity, or gave wrong information. The Department also sets rules for what counts as active farm use, looking at zoning, past and current use (including Soil Bank land), productivity (including timber and reforested land), and farm income. These steps apply starting June 1, 2026.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nancy J. King

    Senate

Cosponsors

  • Katie Fry Hester

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 133 • No: 41

House vote 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 101 • No: 32 • Other: 8

Senate vote 3/20/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 32 • No: 9 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 46

    4/14/2026
  2. Returned Passed

    4/9/2026Senate
  3. Third Reading Passed (101-32)

    4/8/2026House
  4. Motion Vote Previous Question (Delegate Stein) Adopted

    4/8/2026House
  5. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/3/2026House
  6. Favorable Report by Ways and Means

    4/2/2026House
  7. Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/23/2026House
  8. Referred Ways and Means

    3/21/2026House
  9. Third Reading Passed (32-9)

    3/20/2026Senate
  10. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/19/2026Senate
  11. Favorable with Amendments {373228/1 Adopted

    3/19/2026Senate
  12. Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

    3/19/2026Senate
  13. Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/4/2026Senate
  14. First Reading Budget and Taxation

    1/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/14/2026

  • Third Reading

    3/19/2026

  • First Reading

    1/23/2026

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