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SB 864

SCS/SB 864 - This act modifies provisions relating to tax credits. WOOD ENERGY TAX CREDIT A tax credit for the production of certain wood-energy processed wood products expires on June 30, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. (Section 135.305) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). MEAT PROCESSING FACILITIES TAX CREDIT The Meat Processing Facility Investment Tax Credit for the expansion or modernization of meat processing facilities expires on December 31, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. (Section 135.686) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). HIGHER ETHANOL FUEL TAX CREDIT A tax credit for the sale of higher ethanol blend fuels expires on December 31, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. (Section 135.772) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). BIODIESEL RETAIL SALE TAX CREDIT A tax credit for the sale of biodiesel fuels expires on December 31, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. This act provides that a taxpayer shall not be liable for penalties or interest on an income tax balance due if such taxpayer is denied part or all of a tax credit to which the taxpayer has qualified due to lack of available funds, and such denial causes a balance-due notice to be generated by the Department of Revenue or any other redeeming agency. Such taxpayer shall pay the balance due within sixty days or be subject to penalties and interest pursuant to current law. (Section 135.775) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). BIODIESEL PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT A tax credit for the production of biodiesel fuels expires on December 31, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. (Section 135.778) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). RAILROAD INFRASTRUCTURE TAX CREDIT For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this act authorizes a tax credit in the amount of fifty percent of an eligible taxpayer's qualified railroad expenditures and qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. "Qualified railroad expenditures" are defined as gross expenditures for maintenance, reconstruction, or replacement of railroad infrastructure, as described in the act. "Qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures" are defined as gross expenditures for new rail infrastructure, as described in the act. A tax credit for qualified railroad expenditures shall not exceed $5,000 multiplied by the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased in the state by a railroad, and the total amount of tax credits for qualified railroad expenditures authorized in a calendar year shall not exceed $4.5 million. A tax credit for qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures shall not exceed $1 million for each new rail-served customer project, and the total amount of tax credits for qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures authorized in a calendar year shall not exceed $5 million. An eligible taxpayer shall submit a certificate of eligibility to the Department of Economic Development after the completion of the qualified railroad expenditures or qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Tax credits authorized by the act shall not be refundable, but may be carried forward for five subsequent tax years. Tax credits may be transferred as described in the act. This act shall sunset on December 31, 2032, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. (Section 135.1210) This provision is identical to SCS/SB 462 (2025) and to a provision in SB 913 (2026), and is substantially similar to HCS/HB 669 (2025), SS/SCS/SB 876 (2024), HB 1824 (2024), SB 385 (2023), and HCS/HB 657 (2023), and to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 1935 (2024), and HCS/HB 939 (2023). URBAN FARMS TAX CREDIT A tax credit for the establishment or improvement of urban farms expires on December 31, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. (Section 135.1610) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). ROLLING STOCK TAX CREDIT A tax credit for eligible expenses incurred in the manufacture, maintenance, or improvement of a freight line company's qualified rolling stock expires on August 28, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. (Section 137.1018) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION TAX CREDITS Tax credits for contributions to the Missouri Agriculture and Small Business Development Authority and investments in new generation cooperatives for the purpose of development of agricultural business expire on December 31, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. (Section 348.436) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). SPECIALTY AGRICULTURAL CROPS The "Specialty Agricultural Crops Act" loan program for family farmers and tax credits for lenders expires on December 31, 2028. This act repeals such sunset. (Sections 348.491 and 348.493) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 642 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HCS/HB 1317 (2025). This act is identical to SCS/SB 30 (2025) and is substantially similar to SS/SB 913 (2026) and HCS/HB 2713 (2026). JOSH NORBERG

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jason Bean

Allows Forest Heights employees to join Maryland State Employees’ Pension System with 50% prior town service credit for those who opt in by the deadline.

SCS Voted Do Pass S Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee (4789S.04C)
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Bill Summary · SB 864

Summary — SB 864

Employees’ Pension System — Town of Forest Heights Employees — Membership

Status: Hearing canceled. Introduced (Md.) Jan. 28, 2025; assigned to Budget & Taxation. Bill text sets an effective date of June 1, 2025.

Purpose

SB 864 authorizes employees of the Town of Forest Heights to participate in Maryland’s State Employees’ Pension System (Employees’ Pension System) and specifies how prior local service is credited for those who opt in. It creates a limited, time‑sensitive option for current Town employees to join the State plan and receive partial credit for prior Town employment.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes Town of Forest Heights employees to join the Employees’ Pension System under the existing optional‑membership framework for participating governmental units (amends multiple sections of the State Personnel and Pensions Article; adds §31–111.9).
  • Election timing and mechanics:
    • Membership is optional for eligible Town employees employed before the effective participation date and who remain employed through that date. (Cites and modifies §23‑204 procedures.)
    • An employee who elects to join must file the election with the State Retirement Agency (Board of Trustees) before the effective date; that election is one‑time and irrevocable (consistent with existing §23‑204 rules).
  • Prior service credit for employees on effective date:
    • An employee of the Town of Forest Heights who elects membership and is employed by the Town on the effective date will receive eligibility service and creditable service in the Employees’ Pension System equal to 50% of the individual’s period of employment with the Town prior to the effective date.
    • That prior service amount must be certified by the Town as of the effective date.
  • No retroactive credit for later joiners:
    • If an employee or former employee becomes a member after the effective date, that person may not receive service credit for employment with the Town prior to the effective date.
  • Effective date: The Act takes effect June 1, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Current employees of the Town of Forest Heights employed through the effective date who choose to opt into the State Employees’ Pension System.
  • Secondary: Employees or former employees who join after the effective date (they are ineligible to receive prior Town service credit); the Town of Forest Heights (must certify prior service for electing employees); and the State Retirement Agency (administration of elections and credits).

Implementation notes

  • The bill adds a new, Town‑specific provision (§31‑111.9) to the State Pensions statute while conforming to existing procedural rules for optional participation and irrevocable elections.
  • The Town must timely certify prior service for employees electing membership on the effective date; employees must file elections by the deadline set in §23‑204 to obtain the 50% prior service credit.

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

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