MarylandHB 14302026 Regular SessionHouse

Maryland Public Charter School Program - School Facilities - Funding

Sponsored By: Mark S. Chang (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Primary and Secondary EducationAppropriationsAuditors and AuditsBuilding Maintenance and RepairCommittees and CommissionsConstructionLeases and RentPrimary Schools -see also- Private Schools; Public SchoolsPublic Debt -see also- County & Balt City Bonds; State BondsPublic Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchReportsRules and RegulationsSecondary Schools -see also- Private Schools; Public SchState Aid -see also- Public Benefits

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Per-student facility funds for charters

Beginning in fiscal year 2028, the Governor includes funding equal to last year’s charter enrollment times $200. The Interagency Commission pays this money straight to public charter schools, not local districts. Schools can use it for building upgrades, debt payments, or rent and leases. The law takes effect July 1, 2026; the per‑student funding starts with the FY2028 budget.

New facility and enrollment definitions

The law defines charter school facilities as buildings a charter owns or leases, or spaces it uses for K–12 learning. It also excludes students from the program’s total enrollment if their district has closed more than 50 schools since 2010 and has offered surplus buildings to charters. These changes apply July 1, 2026 and can lower the counted enrollment used for funding.

Stricter rules for charter facility money

A charter school gets facility funds only if its operator’s most recent certified financial audit is unqualified. Any school that received funds must file a status report before getting money the next year. A charter in a district‑owned building cannot get these funds in any year the building has a state‑funded CIP project. These rules start July 1, 2026.

Charter funds tied to state capital

If the state’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is smaller than last year, charter facility payments drop by the same percentage. The Commission may not cut a district’s CIP just because charters got facility funds. The Commission must set rules for mid‑year requests and must pay a charter if a district rescinds a project and the charter is then eligible. These rules apply starting July 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mark S. Chang
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Joshua J. Stonko
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 320 • No: 50

House vote • 4/11/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 124 • No: 7 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Third Readings Passed with Amendments

Yes: 34 • No: 8 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Third Readings Passed with Amendments

Yes: 33 • No: 8 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Floor Amendment {733826/1 (Senator Kagan) Rejected

Yes: 6 • No: 21 • Other: 17

House vote • 3/21/2026