MarylandMaryland requires a study of shared digital property records
The State Department of Assessments and Taxation must study whether blockchain can verify property ownership and leases and help police and courts resolve unauthorized occupancy disputes.
What it does
Maryland requires a study of blockchain, a shared digital record system, for property ownership and leases. Findings must reach the governor and lawmakers by December 31, 2026.
Argument forStudying ownership and lease records together could help Maryland assess whether the technology helps courts distinguish lawful tenants from unauthorized occupants.
Argument againstCoordinating courts, police, legal aid groups, and technology vendors could take staff time away from their other work.
More detail
The State Department of Assessments and Taxation must study blockchain records for property ownership and leases and report its findings to the governor and lawmakers. The study covers recording and checking property ownership and leases. It also examines whether blockchain can help police and courts resolve disputes involving people with no legal ownership, lease, or right to occupy the property. The agency must coordinate with Maryland courts, state and local police, the attorney general, legal aid organizations, the Maryland Blockchain Association, and technology vendors. The law took effect June 1, 2026. The agency must report the study results on or before December 31, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 748Became Law
- Apr 10Passed EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 10Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 10Senate Concurs House Amendments
- Apr 10Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 8Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 8Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Apr 8Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic MattersMinor
- Apr 2Hearing 4/02 at 2:30 p.m.
- Apr 2Hearing canceled
- Apr 2Hearing 4/02 at 1:30 p.m.
- Apr 2Hearing canceled
- Mar 25
- Vote recorded On Third Reading (Amend). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
- Vote recorded Bill is on Third Reading for Final Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Referred Economic MattersMinor
- Mar 5Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 3Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 3Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 2Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and TaxationMinor
- Feb 22
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 15Hearing 1/21 at 10:00 a.m.
- Jan 14First Reading Budget and TaxationMinor
- 2025
- Oct 31Pre-filedIntroduced
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