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SB 944

Housing Development Permits - Local Reporting Requirements (Maryland Housing Data Transparency Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shelly Hettleman

Maryland requires local governments to publicly report detailed housing development permit data including costs, unit types, and timelines to create statewide transparency database.

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations
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Bill Summary · SB 944

Legislative bill overview

SB 944 requires Maryland local governments to report detailed data on housing development permits to the state, including information on project costs, unit types, affordability levels, and approval timelines. The bill establishes standardized reporting requirements and creates a publicly accessible database of this housing development information.

Why is this important

Housing data transparency can help policymakers and the public understand development patterns, identify regulatory bottlenecks, and track progress toward affordability goals. This information is increasingly viewed as essential for addressing housing shortages and affordability crises affecting many Maryland communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden on localities: Smaller jurisdictions may lack resources to compile and submit detailed data in standardized formats, potentially requiring new staff or systems
  • Privacy and competitive concerns: Developers may object to public disclosure of project costs and financial details, arguing it compromises competitive bidding and business confidentiality
  • Enforcement and compliance: The bill lacks clear penalties for non-reporting, raising questions about whether municipalities will prioritize compliance or face consequences for incomplete submissions

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

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