Delegate pushes homestead cap for seniors; county warns of $8.1M local hit

Delegate Rick Metzger told the Baltimore County delegation HB1546 would cap homestead property tax bills for homeowners aged 65 and older so they would not see tax increases over time, asserting it could keep seniors in their homes and reduce out-migration.

"If we could cap their tax at whatever rate it is, that it's not gonna raise it," Metzger said, arguing the measure would help seniors on fixed incomes.

Kyantha Twasegye, representing Baltimore County, said the county is opposed because the bill would impose a state mandate and produce significant revenue loss. Citing county FY25 figures, Twasegye said the county's share of homestead property tax-credit revenue at current rates would be approximately $8,100,000 and emphasized the uncertainty over the number of qualified properties; county population data shows about 19.1% of Baltimore County residents are age 65 or older.

Delegates questioned whether existing homestead credits already cover seniors and sought clarity about how the proposed cap would operate; Metzger explained the bill would effectively freeze a homeowner's tax payment at its current level for as long as they remain in the home. The hearing ended with testimony recorded and no immediate delegation vote on the bill.