# Maryland SB 0197: Land Use - Comprehensive and General Plans - Alteration of Elements Maryland SB 0197, Land Use - Comprehensive and General Plans - Alteration of Elements, is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by no sponsor on record; status signed, last action 2026-04-14 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 111) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0197-2026RS - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Maryland SB 0197 - State: Maryland - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Land Use - Comprehensive and General Plans - Alteration of Elements - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-09-16 - Last action: 2026-04-14, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 111 - Sponsors: no sponsor on record - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: Local Government - Generally, Administrative Agencies, Agriculture -see also- Agritourism; Cannabis Prd; Farm; etc., Air Pollution, Airports, Animals -see also- Birds; Dogs; Domestic An; Horses; Livestk, Annotated Code of Maryland, Applicants and Applications, Bicycles, Boats and Ships, Boundaries, Census, Chartered Counties -see also- AACo; BCo; CecilCo; etc., Civil Rights and Social Equity, Climate Resiliency, Commerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc., Committees and Commissions, Community Development, Community Facilities and Services, Commuters, Conservation -see also- Soil Conservation, Correctional Institutions -see also- Patuxent Institution, Data -see also- Census; Demographics, Demographics -see also- Census; Data, Education -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc., Emergency Medical Services -see also- Ambul; RescSqd, Emergencies -see also- Pandemics, Environment, Department of the, Environmental Health, Environmental Matters -see also- Conserv; Nat Resrce; Pollut, Fire Protection, Fish and Fishing -see also- Aquaculture; FishNets&Dev, Flood Control, Forests and Parks -see also- MdNatlCapPkPlnCm; Plants; etc., Health -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc., Highways, Historical Matters -see also- Archives; Monumts; Museum; etc, Hospitals -see also- Clinics; State Hospitals, Housing and Community Development, Department of, Housing -see also- Apartments; Condos; Mobile & Manuf Homes, Human Infrastructure -see also- WLE, Industry and Manufacturing, Intergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc., Labor, Department of, Law Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State Police, Legislative Services, Department of, Libraries -see also- Archives, Local Government Mandates, Low-Income, Maps and Charts, Mass Transit -see also- Buses; Railroads, Municipal Corporations -see also- Annap; Balt, Natural Resources -see also- Coal; For&Pks; Rivers; etc., Natural Resources, Department of, Pedestrians, Places of Worship -see also- Religion, Planning, Department of, Plans and Proposals, Private Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary Sch, Public Buildings and Facilities -see also- Stadiums; St Hse, Public Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary Sch, Racial Matters -see also- Ethnic Affairs; Minorities, Railroads, Reports, Revenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax), Rules and Regulations, Salaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. Rates, Smart Growth -see also- Zoning and Planning, Sports and Recreation, Standards and Best Practices, State Highway Administration, Students, Threats, Transportation, Department of, Transportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etc, Wastewater, Water -see also- Coastal Bays; Riv,Str,Lks; Wastewater; etc., Work, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc., Zoning and Planning - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 2 (134 yes, 41 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 21 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - City growth planning with counties: benefit, low. A city or town may join a county’s plan if both agree. When a plan covers a city, it must include a municipal growth section. That section maps future growth areas, needed land at planned densities, buffers, sensitive area protection, and needed services like water, sewer, schools, parks, and publi… - Clear goals and actions in plans: benefit, low. Local plans must state clear goals, policies, standards, and steps to act. Each plan part must use the best available data and other state and local plans. Plans must spell out how to carry out the ideas with rules, programs, and timelines. This makes local decisions more transparent and easier to… - Equity planning for overburdened communities: benefit, low. Plans must include an equity section that centers the needs of overburdened and underserved communities. It uses data from the Commission on Environmental Justice and state agencies. Strategies can include boosting civic engagement, reducing health risks, and prioritizing improvements. The goal is… - Faster approvals in growth areas: benefit, low. Plans must encourage flexible development rules that allow innovation and cost‑saving site design while protecting the environment. In growth areas, plans must promote economic development and speed up permit and subdivision reviews. This can cut time and risk for projects where growth is planned. - Flexible plan format and phase‑in rules: benefit, low. County planning commissions choose how to organize their plan as long as they include all required elements. They may use separate chapters or spread topics across chapters and may add extra elements. The law applies prospectively and does not cover a county or city that started to amend or readopt… - Land use map and facilities planning: benefit, low. The land section maps where homes, jobs, farms, parks, schools, and public buildings go. It must set growth patterns that match service capacity and protect natural and historic places. A community facilities plan must show long‑term locations and service areas for things like fire stations, librar… - Local economy and jobs planning data: benefit, low. Plans must include an economy section that reviews the local economic base and labor force and names desired industries. It must connect population, land use, housing, transportation, and resources into a strategy. The state supplies economic and labor data to support this work. - Mineral and fisheries areas protected: benefit, low. Where geological data exists, plans must identify land to keep a steady mineral supply and plan for reuse after mining. The Environment Department reviews this for consistency before adoption. In tidal areas, plans must set aside working waterfront areas for loading, processing, docking, and moorin… - Plan better parks and public spaces: benefit, low. Plans must include a place section to create or improve public spaces like parks and plazas. It aims to build community, support health, protect heritage, and boost local economies. It uses state preservation and recreation plans and encourages local stewardship. - Protecting nature and water in plans: benefit, low. The ecology section protects natural resources, water and air quality, historic places, and farm and forest lands. It must address greenhouse gas emissions from added driving. Plans must include a sensitive areas section with goals, policies, and standards and consider wildlife movement and habitat… - Standard local plans start Oct 2026: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, local governments must adopt a comprehensive plan that follows state rules. Plans must cover eight core parts: land, transportation, housing, economy, equity, resilience, place, and ecology. Counties choose the plan format but must meet the required content. This sets one… - State planning guidance and data help: benefit, low. The Department of Planning provides guidelines and best practices for all required plan parts. Local planning commissions can ask the Department to coordinate help from state agencies. The state also helps provide available data and analysis. This support helps local governments build stronger, dat… - Transportation plans for safer travel choices: benefit, low. Plans must design a safe, balanced system for people and goods and add more travel choices. They must coordinate with land use, include bike and pedestrian access, and estimate use of new projects. Plans follow state transportation plans, and the Transportation Department provides the best availabl… - Plan for safe drinking water capacity: benefit, low. Starting October 1, 2026, the Water Resources section must show enough drinking water for current and future growth. It must also show suitable waters and land for stormwater and wastewater needs. The section uses data from the Department of the Environment. On request, the Department gives technic… - Resilience planning for disasters and climate: benefit, low. Local plans must include a Resilience section. It finds local threats, sets long‑term strategies, and coordinates with state partners for preparedness and mutual aid. It uses the State Resilience Strategy and the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Planning Department provides population, economic, a… - Better public spaces and facilities planning: benefit, low. Local plans must include a Place section to plan new or improved public spaces that support health, culture, nature, and the local economy. Planning provides data to help. The plan may list key gathering spots and ways to build community. The community facilities section must show where public buil… - City–county rules for growth planning: benefit, low. Starting October 1, 2026, a city or town must share its Municipal Growth section with the county before approval. The county has 30 days to comment. They must meet and confer within 30 days after comments close, and can use mediation if either asks. They may enter joint planning agreements. - Housing plans add sites and fairness: benefit, low. Housing sections must plan enough homes for current and future residents and work to remove substandard housing. Plans must identify sites for affordable, workforce, and low‑income housing. Low‑income housing means homes affordable to households making under 60% of area median income. For housing e… - State data to power local plans: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, the Planning Department gives each local government the best available population, demographic, economic, and housing data from the Census and other sources. It also works to deliver extra data from state and federal partners to support Ecology planning. - Stronger environmental and sensitive areas planning: benefit, low. Local plans must include an Ecology section that protects natural and historic resources, farms, and water supplies, and considers greenhouse gases from added driving. Beginning October 1, 2026, plans must add a Sensitive Areas section with goals, policies, and standards to limit harm from developm… - Local economic strategy in every plan: benefit, low. Local plans must include an Economy section. It describes the local economic base, workforce, and target industries, and ties land use, housing, transport, and facilities into one strategy. The Planning Department, Commerce, and Labor share state economic and labor data. Counties may add sector stu… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - (none) ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-04-02 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 95 | 37 | 2 | | 2026-03-05 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 39 | 4 | | ## Actions (13) - 2026-04-14: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 111 - 2026-04-03: Returned Passed (Senate) - 2026-04-02: Third Reading Passed (95-37) (House) - 2026-04-01: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House) - 2026-04-01: Favorable Report by Economic Matters (House) - 2026-03-06: Referred Economic Matters (House) - 2026-03-05: Third Reading Passed (39-4) (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Favorable with Amendments {543226/1 Adopted (Senate) - 2026-03-02: Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment (Senate) - 2026-01-15: Hearing 1/21 at 11:00 a.m. (Senate) - 2026-01-14: First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment (Senate) - 2025-09-16: Pre-filed (Senate) ## Bill text - Enacted, 2026-04-14: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_111_sb0197t.pdf) - Third Reading, 2026-03-03: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0197t.pdf) - First Reading, 2026-01-14: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0197f.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_111_sb0197t.pdf) - [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0197t.pdf) - [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0197f.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) - [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0197-2026RS (as of 2026-10-19).