Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB382: Commercial Law - Broadband Access - Low-Income Consumer Programs (Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act)
Status: In committee, March 23, 2026
Requiring, beginning November 15, 2027, and each November 15 thereafter, certain broadband providers to report certain information to the Office of Statewide Broadband annually; and requiring by December 1, 2027, and each December 1 thereafter, the Office to determine whether the certain programs reported are sufficient to meet the needs of low-income consumers in the State and make any recommendations related to low-income consumer programs in the State.
What the bill says
An act concerning Commercial Law - Broadband Access - Low-Income Consumer Programs (Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act) FOR the purpose of requiring certain broadband providers in the State to establish a program to provide certain broadband services to eligible low-income consumers on or before a certain date; authorizing the Office of Statewide Broadband in the Department of Housing and Community Development to exempt certain providers from the requirement to establish a program…
From the engrossed text, March 19, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Commercial Law - Broadband Access - Low-Income Consumer Programs (Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act) FOR the purpose of requiring certain broadband providers in the State to establish a program to provide certain broadband services to eligible low-income consumers on or before a certain date; authorizing the Office of Statewide Broadband in the Department of Housing and Community Development to exempt certain providers from the requirement to establish a program; requiring certain broadband providers to report certain information to the Office of Statewide Broadband annually; altering the duties of the Office; establishing a Broadband Affordability Advisory Board; and generally relating to broadband access for low-income consumers. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Commercial Law Section 13-301(14)(xlvii) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Commercial Law Section 13-301(14)(xlviii) Annotated Code of Maryland EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. Underlining indicates amendments to bill. Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by amendment. *hb0382* HOUSE BILL (2025 Replacement Volume) BY adding to Article - Commercial Law Section 13-301(14)(xlix); and 14-5101 through 14-5106 and 14-5102 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 51. Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness" Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 …