# Maryland HB 1355: Financial Institutions - Payment Stablecoin Services - Establishment and Regulation (Maryland Stablecoin Act)

Maryland HB 1355, Financial Institutions - Payment Stablecoin Services - Establishment and Regulation (Maryland Stablecoin Act), is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Marlon Amprey (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-05-12 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 514) (as of 2026-10-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1355-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland HB 1355
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Financial Institutions - Payment Stablecoin Services - Establishment and Regulation (Maryland Stablecoin Act)
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-12
- Last action: 2026-05-12, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 514
- Sponsor: Marlon Amprey (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Financial Institutions, Banks and Trust Companies, Commerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc., Cryptocurrency, Disclosure, Fees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & Taxes, Financial Institutions -see also- Banks; Credit Unions; etc., Financial Regulation, Division of, Rules and Regulations, Standards and Best Practices, Technology -see also- AeroT; BioT; EnergyT; InfoT; MedT; etc
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (176 yes, 1 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 7

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Lower fee for new bank charters: benefit, high. Beginning January 1, 2027, the nonrefundable exam fee for a new Maryland commercial bank charter is $7,000, down from $15,000. This cuts startup costs for applicants by $8,000.
- Stronger oversight and penalties for stablecoin firms: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Commissioner can investigate and enforce rules against certificate holders and anyone doing business that needs a certificate. The Commissioner may suspend or revoke a certificate for false statements, unsafe practices, refusing exams, fraud, certain crimes, legal vio…
- State stablecoin regulator and rulemaking powers: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Office of Financial Regulation is the State Payment Stablecoin Regulator. The Commissioner must seek federal certification under the Federal Genius Act of 2025 and can make rules, including limited waivers for certain trust companies seeking State Issuer authority. Th…
- Trust companies: tailored path into stablecoins: benefit, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, nondepository trust companies can be granted the power to do business under the stablecoin law. Their articles must state they will seek that authorization and include any extra information the Commissioner requires. These firms are exempt from one trust‑company powers ru…
- Banks and credit unions must notify: cost, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, commercial banks must notify the Commissioner before seeking federal approval to be a permitted stablecoin issuer or before offering stablecoin services. Credit unions must also give notice before seeking approval or offering those services. The Commissioner will set the…
- Stablecoin licenses for trust and CUSO firms: mixed, medium. Beginning January 1, 2027, certain nondepository trust companies and credit union service organizations can get a state certificate to offer stablecoin services. The certificate lists the exact products and powers allowed, and firms must post it on their website. The law defines covered services li…
- Certificate application fees and 60-day decisions: mixed, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, firms applying for a stablecoin certificate must pay a nonrefundable application fee equal to the exam fee for a new bank charter. The Commissioner must decide a complete application within 60 days, or give notice within 10 business days if more time is needed. The Commis…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Marlon Amprey (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-06 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 46 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-18 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 130 | 1 | 5 |

## Actions (11)

- 2026-05-12: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 514
- 2026-04-07: Returned Passed (House)
- 2026-04-06: Third Reading Passed (46-0) (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Favorable Report by Finance (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Referred Finance (Senate)
- 2026-03-18: Third Reading Passed (130-1) (House)
- 2026-03-17: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House)
- 2026-03-16: Favorable Report by Economic Matters (House)
- 2026-02-17: Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-02-12: First Reading Economic Matters (House)

## Bill text

- Enacted, 2026-05-12: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_514_hb1355t.pdf)
- Third Reading, 2026-03-17: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1355t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2026-02-12: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1355f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_514_hb1355t.pdf)
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1355t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1355f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
- [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1355-2026RS (as of 2026-10-19).