February 24, 2026
A few big federal issues are spilling into the Maryland Statehouse this session. The Supreme Court recently tossed out a large chunk of the tariffs put in place under President Trump, saying they went beyond presidential authority. Now the administration is trying to bring the tariff program back using a different part of federal law this path may end up in court too.
All of this has created a lot of confusion about the massive amount of tariff money the federal government has already collected. No one seems sure yet whether any of it will be refunded, and plenty of Maryland businesses are wondering if they might get some money back.
On the redistricting front, it looks like Senate President Pro Tem Bill Ferguson is going to come out on top. Even after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stopped by to push for action, Ferguson held his ground and refused to bring the redistricting bill to the floor. That pretty much seals the deal: Maryland’s congressional maps aren’t likely to change before the 2026 elections.
Overall, federal decisions whether they’re coming from agencies, the courts, or the White House have been hitting Maryland and Anne Arundel County pretty hard, especially economically. That’s left state lawmakers juggling the fallout while also trying to patch up the budget deficit.
The Minimum Wage increase bill is back along with changes for are a few other legislative issues that could affect your business, see below for more details
Thank you for staying engaged and involved. As always, the Chamber will continue to keep you informed and advocate on your behalf.
Moving Forward,
Mark Kleinschmidt
President/CEO
Minimum Wage Legislation is Back
The minimum wage debate is heating up again in Annapolis. A new bill, HB 1229, proposes raising Maryland’s minimum wage to $25 an hour by 2030. It would also eliminate the tip credit, tie future wage increases to inflation, and most significantly write these changes directly into the Maryland Constitution instead of addressing them through regular legislation. This means it would be placed on the ballot for the November 2026 elections.
This would be one of the most far‑reaching and permanent changes to employment law the state has ever considered. The jump to $25 an hour would have a major impact on thousands of businesses, and removing the tip credit would be especially tough on restaurants and the broader hospitality industry.
We’re working closely with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce to oppose this bill, and we’re asking for your help. Now is the time to reach out to your representatives in the General Assembly and share how this legislation would affect your business. Click here to find out more information and how to contact your legislator: Min Wage Bill.
Short Term Rentals
HB 993/ SB 666 would prohibit counties and cities from banning short term rentals just because the operator is a tenant or sub tenant. The short-term rental issue has been very controversial in Annapolis and it is unclear if state law would supersede local law when it comes to short term rental. This issue is being debated throughout the country and legislators struggle to find an across-the-board solution that works for everyone.
Internet Gaming Referendum
Sb 761/ HB 1255 will pick up where previous attempts failed to allow internet gaming in Maryland by placing it on the 2026 ballot as a referendum. This is another controversial bill that will require multiple years to pass and generally does not have the support of the existing casinos as they believe it will cause people to reduce their in-person visits to brick and mortal casinos. The folks who are concerned about problem gambling strongly disapprove of this legislation