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HB 1232

Baltimore City - Economic Development Project in Downtown RISE District - Payment in Lieu of Taxes

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marlon Amprey and 5 co-sponsors

Baltimore gains authority to offer property tax breaks to downtown developers through negotiated PILOT agreements, balancing revitalization against foregone municipal tax revenue.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 145
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Bill Summary · HB 1232

Legislative bill overview

HB 1232 authorizes Baltimore City to offer Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements for economic development projects in the Downtown RISE District. Under these agreements, developers would pay a negotiated amount to the city instead of standard property taxes for a specified period, typically used as an incentive to attract investment to designated areas.

Why is this important

PILOT programs directly affect municipal revenue and can shape urban development patterns. This bill allows Baltimore to compete for major real estate projects by offering tax breaks, potentially spurring job creation and revitalization in the downtown core, but at the cost of foregone tax revenue that would otherwise fund city services like schools and infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue tradeoff: Reduced property tax income from participating properties may strain city budgets and shift tax burdens onto non-participating residents and businesses
  • Public accountability: PILOT deals are often negotiated privately with limited transparency, raising concerns about whether cities receive fair value or whether politically connected developers receive preferential treatment
  • Scope and duration: The bill's specific terms (duration of tax breaks, minimum investment thresholds, clawback provisions if projects underperform) are critical but may be vague, creating risk of indefinite revenue loss

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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