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Bill

HB 47

Commission on State and Local Government Real Property Bearing Confederate Names - Establishment

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dylan Behler and 7 co-sponsors

Maryland bill creates commission to identify and recommend renaming state and local properties bearing Confederate names, addressing historical symbolism on public assets.

Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 47

Legislative bill overview

HB 47 establishes a state commission tasked with identifying and evaluating public property in Maryland that bears Confederate names, including buildings, roads, parks, and monuments. The commission would develop recommendations for renaming or otherwise addressing these properties and report findings to the legislature.

Why is this important

Confederate symbolism on public property remains contentious, with supporters viewing renaming as necessary to address historical injustices and exclusionary messaging, while opponents argue it erases history or represents government overreach. The outcome could affect dozens of locations across Maryland and set precedent for how states systematically address Civil War-era naming conventions on public assets.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation: Critics may question the cost and necessity of a dedicated commission versus addressing other state priorities
  • Historical preservation vs. removal: Disagreement over whether renaming constitutes appropriate acknowledgment of history or inappropriate erasure of historical record
  • Scope and authority: Debate over whether a commission should have binding power to mandate changes or merely advisory capacity, and whether private property should be included
  • Community input: Questions about whose voices drive decisions—local residents, historians, descendants of enslaved people, or other stakeholders

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

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