Image credit: Photo by Terry Granger on Unsplash
Maryland faces real challenges including high housing costs, unsafe streets, aging transit systems, economic doldrums, and impacts from climate change. This legislative session, we have the opportunity to address these interconnected challenges with smart growth reforms.
Governor Moore’s administration has made progress, and together with the legislature, can make even more. Here are some key bills we’re tracking as Maryland’s 2026 General Assembly session kicks off today:
Transit-Oriented Development and Land Use
- Maryland Transit & Housing Opportunity Act – this bill by the Maryland Department of Transportation removes barriers to transit-oriented development around Metro, Purple Line, MARC Penn Line, and Baltimore area light rail and subway stations.
- Land Value Return – would allow local governments to create property tax structures that capture the value of land near assets like rail stations while incentivizing new development.
Transportation
- Metro Funding – our region’s Metrorail system will need increased capital funding starting next year to cover inflation and ensure our rail system’s reliability and modernization. Expect bills that direct the Governor’s office to include this funding in its budget request.
- Transportation Investment Priorities Act of 2026 – creates a more data-driven, transparent and cost-effective way to fund projects while ensuring they address state goals.
- Transportation and Climate Alignment Act – requires accountability and transparency about projects that increase pollution and commuter costs. New highway expansions that would increase driving and carbon emissions must offset this through providing clean transportation options within impacted communities. The MD House has passed this bill twice.
- Street Safety, Better Walking and Biking – we anticipate multiple bills that will address the unacceptable numbers of deaths and injuries on Maryland’s roads and local streets.
Housing
- Starter and Silver Homes Act – sponsored by MD’s Department of Housing and Community Development, this bill is intended to support smaller, less expensive housing options. It would allow smaller lot sizes and townhomes in single-family residential zones.
- Housing Certainty Act – would help approved housing projects move forward, increasing certainty and potentially reducing costs, by preventing the use of zoning and regulatory changes to block a project once it’s already been approved.
- DHCD Budget Hearings – We’ll be testifying at budget hearings for the Department of Housing and Community Development to support affordable housing investments statewide.
Data Centers
- Oversight and Environmental Protection – multiple bills will address proper oversight, ensuring the industry pays its fair share of public costs, and protection of farms, forests, and neighborhoods.
Stay tuned for CSG action alerts on how you can take action on these bills, and support smart growth priorities this legislative session!