Maryland Senate Bill 638

---

Completed Legislative Action
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: Passed on April 28 2026 - 100% progression
Action: 2026-04-28 - Approved by the Governor - Chapter 277
Text: Latest bill text (Chaptered) [PDF]

Authorizing the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority to award grants and loans to local jurisdictions to develop certain management plans and encourage revitalization of and reinvestment in certified heritage area resources; decreasing from 10% to 7% or $600,000, whichever is greater, of Program Open Space funds transferred to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund that may be used for certain operating expenses; and increasing from $3,000,000 to $9,000,000 the maximum amount of funding that may be transferred to the Fund.

Natural Resources - Maryland Heritage Areas Authority - Funding and Grants

Sen. Paul Corderman [R]	Sen. Jack Bailey [R]	Sen. Jason Gallion [R]	Sen. Johnny Salling [R]
Sen. William Folden [R]	Sen. Bryan Simonaire [R]	Sen. Malcolm Augustine [D]	Sen. Guy Guzzone [D]
Sen. Shelly Hettleman [D]	Sen. J.B. Jennings [R]	Sen. Nancy King [D]	Sen. Karen Lewis Young [D]
Sen. Cory McCray [D]	Sen. Jim Rosapepe [D]	Sen. Craig Zucker [D]

2026-04-10 - House - Third Reading Passed (Y: 122 N: 10 NV: 6 Abs: 3) [PASS]
2026-04-10 - Senate - Third Reading Passed (Y: 39 N: 0 NV: 5 Abs: 3) [PASS]
2026-03-06 - Senate - Third Reading Passed (Y: 45 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 2) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2026-04-28	Senate	Approved by the Governor - Chapter 277
2026-04-10	Senate	Passed Enrolled
2026-04-10	Senate	Third Reading Passed (39-0)
2026-04-10	Senate	Senate Concurs House Amendments
2026-04-10	House	Third Reading Passed (122-10)
2026-04-09	House	Second Reading Passed with Amendments
2026-04-09	House	Motion Special Order until Next Session (Delegate Edelson) Adopted
2026-04-09	House	Favorable with Amendments {883024/1 Adopted
2026-04-08	House	Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
2026-03-25	House	Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
2026-03-09	House	Referred Environment and Transportation
2026-03-06	Senate	Third Reading Passed (45-0)
2026-03-03	Senate	Second Reading Passed with Amendments
2026-03-03	Senate	Favorable with Amendments {663224/1 Adopted
2026-03-02	Senate	Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation
2026-02-05	Senate	Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
2026-02-05	Senate	First Reading Budget and Taxation

HB654 (Crossfiled) 2026-04-28 - Approved by the Governor - Chapter 276
SB980 (Carry Over) 2025-05-16 - Vetoed by the Governor (Policy)

Chapter	Article	Section	Citation Type	Statute Text
Financial Institutions	13	1113	(n/a)	See Bill Text
Financial Institutions	13	1114	(n/a)	See Bill Text
Natural Resources	5	903	(n/a)	See Bill Text

Type	Source
Summary	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0638?ys=2026RS
Text	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0638f.pdf
Text	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0638t.pdf
Text	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0638e.pdf
Text	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_277_sb0638e.pdf
Amendment	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/amds/bil_0008/sb0638_66322401.pdf
Amendment	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/amds/bil_0008/sb0638_88302401.pdf
Supplement	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/votes_comm/sb0638_b&t.pdf
Supplement	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/votes_comm/sb0638_ent.pdf
Roll Call	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/votes/Senate/0300.pdf
Roll Call	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/votes/Senate/1140.pdf
Roll Call	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/votes/House/1368.pdf