PRIA Logo™
MarylandHB 07912025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Somerset County - Property Tax - Emergency Services Tax

Sponsored By: Otto

Signed by Governor

Taxes - Property - LocalCounties - Local LawsCounty CommissionersEmergency Medical Services -see also- Ambul; RescSqdEmergency Services -see also- Ambul; Emergencies; etc.Fire ProtectionHearingsInterestLaws and Ordinances -see also- Pub Local Laws; Uniform LawsLiensNoticesOpen GovernmentProperty TaxRescue Squads -see also- Emergency Medical ServSomerset CountyTax Sales

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Somerset County emergency tax requires public hearings

Before first imposing or later raising the emergency services tax, Somerset County commissioners must hold a public hearing. It must take place at the same time as the county’s annual budget hearing. The county must give advance public notice. This requirement takes effect June 1, 2025.

Somerset County can add emergency services tax

Somerset County commissioners can pass a county law adding an annual tax on all property subject to county property tax. The tax can pay all or part of fire, rescue, and emergency medical service costs. The state law takes effect June 1, 2025, and applies to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025. It sets no tax rate, does not itself impose the tax, and requires collection like other county taxes. Unpaid tax becomes a lien on all property the person owns, carries the same interest and penalties as unpaid county property taxes, and can lead to a property sale.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Otto

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Barry Beauchamp

    Republican • House

  • Wayne A. Hartman

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 21

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 1 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 116 • No: 20 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 69

    4/8/2025

  2. Returned Passed

    4/3/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (44-1)

    4/3/2025Senate

  4. Second Reading Passed

    4/2/2025Senate

  5. Favorable Adopted

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation

    4/2/2025Senate

  7. Referred Budget and Taxation

    3/17/2025Senate

  8. Third Reading Passed (116-20)

    3/17/2025House

  9. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    3/14/2025House

  10. Favorable Report by Ways and Means

    3/14/2025House

  11. Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/4/2025House

  12. First Reading Ways and Means

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/14/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/29/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation