Baltimore City Delegation Convenes in Annapolis to Advance Mayor Scott’s 2026 Legislative Agenda

City Delegation and State Lawmakers Focus on Baltimore Priorities

As the Maryland General Assembly moves into a critical phase of its 2026 session, the Baltimore City House Delegation is scheduled to meet today, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Annapolis. The morning session, which began at 8:00 a.m., serves as a pivotal moment for city leaders to push forward a legislative package designed to address chronic housing vacancies and provide direct financial relief to Baltimore residents.

Push for Sales Tax Remittance and Property Tax Rebates

A central focus of today’s discussions is Mayor Brandon Scott’s proposal for a significant shift in tax revenue. The administration is advocating for a state-level policy that would require Maryland to remit one-third of the existing 6% sales tax generated within Baltimore City limits back to the municipal government. This move is estimated to generate approximately $142 million annually. The Mayor has outlined a dual-purpose plan for these funds:

• Fifty percent of the revenue would be dedicated to an aggressive vacant property reduction strategy to revitalize blighted neighborhoods.
• The remaining fifty percent would fund $1,000 property tax rebates for city homeowners, aimed at easing the cost of living and stabilizing the tax base.

Expanding Public Safety and Accountability Measures

Government sessions today are also expected to touch on the Mayor’s public safety priorities. Legislators are reviewing a proposed amendment to the Baltimore City Charter that would increase the cap on civil and criminal penalties for code violations. Under the current charter, penalties are limited to $1,000, but the administration is seeking to raise that limit to $5,000 to better deter illegal dumping and other community-level offenses.

Furthermore, delegation members are discussing the reinstatement of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement’s (MONSE) access to specific juvenile records. Supporters argue this is necessary to ensure the office can provide targeted intervention services to high-risk youth, though the proposal continues to spark debate among civil rights advocates and judicial experts.

Looking Ahead: Convention Center and Regional Growth

Beyond fiscal and safety reforms, today's legislative activity includes the refinement of plans for the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority. This new entity is intended to oversee a massive overhaul of the city’s tourism infrastructure, ensuring Baltimore remains competitive as a destination for major national events like the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup matches and the AFRAM festival’s 50th-anniversary celebration.

While the City Council does not have a full session scheduled for this evening, the results of today’s delegation meetings in Annapolis will likely dictate the agenda for the next municipal hearing on Monday.