Delegation advances downtown PILOT pilot as amended; members push for emergency designation and a 10-year sunset

Senator McCrae asked the Baltimore City Senate delegation to consider legislation setting up a downtown Baltimore economic development pilot using a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) mechanism to incentivize investment in the downtown core. Committee staff described the proposal as a PILOT that would require owners to demonstrate an economic analysis and a financial necessity for any tax-exemption arrangement under the pilot.

Members discussed amendments. One amendment would designate the measure as emergency legislation so it could take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature; another proposed a 10-year sunset to require a future progress review by the delegation. Supporters said the tool is intended to restore downtown vibrancy and help hard-hit downtown properties; one senator who sits on Visit Baltimore and the Downtown Partnership stressed the need for a future evaluation.

The chair called for a motion; members moved and seconded the bill as amended. One senator said she would vote no but indicated she would record the vote in support because others were voting for it; the chair said the record would show "4-2-1." The transcript does not contain a signed roll-call tally by name in the hearing record.

Outcome: the delegation moved the bill as amended in this session; the transcript records at least one dissenting vote and the chair’s notation of the record. The measure will proceed in the delegation and legislative process for final floor action and further committee review.