2026 advocacy​

On this webpage, CHARM Maryland states its positions about bills in the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) that are now, in spring, under debate. Please visit our Newsletter and Resources webpages for further commentary and analysis of issues and policies. BLACK INK = Bills we FAVOR.  RED INK = Bills we find UNFAVORABLE. Watch for updates, because an amendment may alter our position on the bill. [FATE OF BILLS AS OF APRIL 14 IN BRACKETS.]
   WE ENCOURAGE YOU to read about any bill, and the text of the actual bill, at the Maryland General Assembly website. To see the latest amended language of a bill, select "History" at that bill's home page. Write directly to your legislators – at any time – telling them about your experiences as a condo- or HOA homeowner and offering your opinion about a bill. To find your state legislators, select "Lookup" at this Maryland state webpage.  

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CHARM Maryland, in furtherance of our Vision and Mission, 

STRONGLY SUPPORTS

The amended version of HB402 / SB981“Common Ownership Communities – Oversight,
Governing Document Database, and Local Commissions” [DID NOT PASS]
A state-level Oversight Division is urgently needed to look out for homeowners’ interests in
common ownership communities (COCs), especially for homeowners living in Maryland counties
that do not currently have a local commission to oversee resolution of problems and/or
disputes. A state Oversight Division – located within the. Department of Housing and
Community Development – will serve an essential function by collecting information, reviewing
complaints, centralizing collection of COC governing documents, and reporting regularly to the
Maryland Legislature and general public. This bill also describes the structure and function of
commissions, to be established by local governments, that would “develop educational and
training opportunities” for volunteer board members and also establish “nonjudicial dispute
resolution.” Currently, only Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have commissions on
common ownership communities (CCOCs). The other 21 counties in Maryland do not.

 

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CHARM Maryland, in furtherance of our Vision and Mission, 
OPPOSES
HB405 “Condominiums and Homeowners Associations – Governing Documents – Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment" [TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE]

This bill is not necessary and is in conflict with existing law (Real Property Article 11-109.2(f)). It undermines the authority of the council of unit owners. Many common ownership communities in Maryland already have installed EV recharging equipment successfully.

 

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CHARM Maryland, in furtherance of our Vision and Mission, 

STRONGLY SUPPORTS
HB502 “Real Property – Governing Bodies of Common Ownership Communities –
Member Training” [DID NOT PASS]

Because the board of directors in common ownership communities is responsible for safeguarding the fiscal, legal, and overall complex wellbeing of the community ­– including transparent and fair operation of all aspects of the community – compulsory, high-quality training for volunteer directors is essential.

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CHARM Maryland, in furtherance of our Vision and Mission, 

OPPOSES

HB855 “Common Ownership Communities – Candidate or Proposition Signs – Display Period”  
[TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE]

By increasing from 30 to 45 days the current prohibition to display candidate or proposition signs, this bill further restricts residents and homeowners living in common ownership communities (COC) from expressing personal support or opinions by displaying signs, unlike other homeowners in Maryland who can currently freely exercise that right. No explanation or justification is offered for this increased prohibition. Democratic principles allow electioneering to happen even during voting, with spatial restrictions – e.g., forbidding political signs very close to the polling place – but not “days before voting” restrictions.​

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CHARM Maryland, in furtherance of our Vision and Mission, 

SUPPORTS

HB956 “Condominiums –  Buildings More Than 40 Years Old – Study”

[TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE]
This bill requires the Maryland State Department of Housing and Community Development to perform an inventory-type study of condo buildings older than 40 years in the state. The study will gather key demographic data regarding who lives in older condominiums (homeowners' age and income levels) as well as current vs required reserve fund levels for each building. Such data will be useful for legislators to better understand the state of maintenance needs for older condominium buildings, the adequacy of COC reserve funding, and potential impacts on homeowners. We suggest a stipulation in the bill requiring high security for safeguarding all personal information of unit owners participating in the study.

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CHARM Maryland, in furtherance of our Vision and Mission, 

STRONGLY SUPPORTS

HB1132 “Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Resale Contracts - Notice Requirements (Keeping Affordable Housing Affordable Act)” [DID NOT PASS] 

This bill requires greater transparency in the resale of common ownership community (COC) properties. It requires more open and comprehensive disclosure than are currently required. The notifications must be made prior to contracting the sale of the property, and thus potential buyers can learn about a community's financial status and future expenditure obligations. For example, the bill requires that disclosures include information about annual fee increases over the past 3 years.

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CHARM Maryland, in furtherance of our Vision and Mission, 

STRONGLY SUPPORTS

HB1362 “Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Meetings - Recording Requirements”

[DID NOT PASS]  This bill greatly increases transparency and accountability in common ownership communities (COCs) by requiring the recording of meetings and the protection of meeting recordings, which will allow greater access to records by COC unit owners.  
UPDATE of April 3, 2026: An amendment reads (in part), "A meeting may not be recorded if a member who is in good standing and in attendance at the meeting objects.” While this amendment may weaken this bill's beneficial impact, HB1362 is a step in the right direction. The principles of transparency and accountability in governance demand that audio- and video-recording of ANY open meeting of the community’s directors be allowed. (Amendment HB1362/983929/1, which can be read here, passed on March 10, 2026).

 

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CHARM Maryland, in furtherance of our Vision and Mission, 

STRONGLY SUPPORTS

HB1506 “Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - New Owner Fees – Limitations”

[DID NOT PASS] This bill requires full disclosure of costs to new unit owners, and it limits the assessment of extra fees, which are not to exceed existing annual assessments. The bill also prohibits capital contribution charges to new owners.

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