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Bill

HB 957

State Procurement - Worker Residency Requirements

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tiffany Alston and 17 co-sponsors

Maryland requires state procurement contractors to employ specified percentages of Maryland residents, prioritizing local job access on publicly-funded projects.

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Bill Summary · HB 957

Legislative bill overview

HB 957 establishes residency requirements for workers employed on state-funded procurement contracts in Maryland. The bill mandates that a specified percentage of workers on these projects must be Maryland residents, with requirements potentially varying by contract type or project value.

Why is this important

This policy directly affects job access for Maryland residents on publicly-funded projects and influences contractor hiring practices across the state. It intersects with economic development, labor policy, and interstate commerce considerations, potentially impacting both local employment opportunities and procurement costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Feasibility and compliance costs: Contractors may face increased recruitment and verification expenses, potentially raising project costs passed to taxpayers
  • Interstate commerce concerns: Residency requirements could conflict with federal commerce clause protections and interstate labor mobility principles
  • Definition and enforcement challenges: Determining what constitutes "residency" and monitoring compliance across multiple contractors adds administrative burden
  • Labor market impact: May reduce competition for contractor positions or create hiring discrimination concerns if not carefully structured
  • Project timeline delays: Recruitment restrictions to in-state workers could slow project timelines if insufficient qualified local labor exists in specific trades

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

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