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HB 810

Study to Evaluate Blockchain-Based Real Property Lease and Title Recordation and Verification

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adrian Boafo and 9 co-sponsors

Maryland pilot program tests blockchain technology for recording property titles to modernize real estate records and potentially reduce fraud and transaction costs.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 747
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Bill Summary · HB 810

Legislative bill overview

HB 810 establishes a pilot program within Maryland's Department of Assessments and Taxation to test blockchain technology for recording and managing real property titles. The program would create a limited demonstration of how distributed ledger technology might modernize the state's property title system, which currently relies on traditional paper and digital records maintained by local jurisdictions.

Why is this important

Real property titles are foundational to real estate transactions, property ownership verification, and securing mortgages. A blockchain-based system could theoretically reduce fraud, accelerate title searches, lower transaction costs, and improve record accessibility—but implementation requires careful testing before statewide adoption. This pilot addresses growing interest in modernizing a centuries-old record-keeping system that affects millions in property values and transaction efficiency.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and ROI uncertainty: Blockchain infrastructure requires significant investment with unproven return-on-investment in a government property records context; unclear whether benefits justify expenses
  • Interoperability with existing systems: Maryland's 24 jurisdictions maintain separate title records; creating a parallel blockchain system without full integration could create confusion and dual-record-keeping burdens
  • Privacy and cybersecurity risks: Putting property ownership data on distributed ledgers raises concerns about data security, access controls, and whether immutable records prevent necessary corrections of erroneous titles
  • Legal and liability questions: Unclear who bears liability if blockchain records conflict with official county records, and whether blockchain entries would have legal status equal to traditional recordings

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

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