2013 Legislative Priorities
Budget and Transportation
MAR opposes additional real estate taxes that would jeopardize the housing recovery. Real
estate is already taxed in several ways: annual property taxes, as well as transaction levies like
transfer taxes, recordation taxes and impact fees. MAR supports legislation that provides
additional protection for the transportation trust fund so that it cannot be diverted toward other
priorities.
Growth and Rural Development
Just in the last year, new septic system requirements, mandatory fire sprinklers, and Watershed
Implementation Plan requirements will add thousands of dollars to the cost of many new homes.
Additional regulations under consideration (greenhouse gas offsets and general growth offsets)
could add tens of thousands of additional dollars. MAR opposes additional costs on new
construction.
Lead Paint
MAR supports additional liability protection for landlords and property managers affected by the
2011 Court of Appeals case that threw out the liability cap in the Lead Poisoning Prevention
Program. MAR also opposes any change to current lead paint inspection requirements for
existing homes (HB 1048). There is more information included in existing real estate contracts
on lead paint than on how the home is financed.
Pit Bulls
MAR supports legislation (HB 78/SB 160) that protects landlords from strictly liability when
dealing with a tenant that owns a pit bull.
Comparative Fault vs. Contributory Negligence
MAR supports the current legal standard (contributory negligence) for determining negligence in
lawsuits. Two bills (HB 1156/SB 819 and HB 1182) would seek to maintain the current
standard.
Credit Services Business Act Corrections
The Credit Services Businesses Act regulates any person providing credit repair services for
consumers. The law exempts certain classes of professionals working within the scope of their
licenses, including real estate brokers. MAR supports a clarification (HB 785/SB 375) to the
current exemption to make clear it applies to brokers AND agents.
Interest Rate on Security Deposits
Currently, property owners are required to return a security deposit to a tenant with at least a 3%
annual interest rate. Unfortunately, most savings and checking accounts are well below 3%.
MAR supports legislation (HB 45/SB 337) that would require a security deposit to be returned to
a tenant with a rate equal to the higher of a 1.5% flat rate or a rate comparable to the U.S.
Treasury Daily Yield Curve Rate as measured by the first of the year.
For more information contact MAR Government Affairs at 800-638-6425.
200 Harry S Truman Parkway – Suite 200 • Annapolis, Maryland 21401-7348
800-638-6425 • Fax: 443-716-3510 • www.mdrealtor.org