Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB168: Study to Evaluate Blockchain-Based Real Property Lease and Title Recordation and Verification
Status: Signed into law, May 26, 2026
Requiring the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, in coordination with certain entities, to evaluate the use of blockchain technology for securely recording and verifying real property ownership and leases and to assess its potential for use by law enforcement and courts in resolving real property disputes involving squatting; and requiring the Department by December 31, 2026, in collaboration with certain other entities, to report the results of the study to the Governor and the General Assembly.
What the bill says
An act concerning State Department of Assessments and Taxation - Study to Evaluate Blockchain-Based Real Property Lease and Title Pilot Program - Establishment Recordation and Verification FOR the purpose of establishing the Blockchain-Based Real Property Title Pilot Program in requiring the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, in coordination with certain entities, to explore evaluate the use of blockchain technology for securely recording and verifying real property ownership and leases and to assess its potential for use by law enforcement and courts in resolving certain real prope…
From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:
AN ACT concerning State Department of Assessments and Taxation - Study to Evaluate Blockchain-Based Real Property Lease and Title Pilot Program - Establishment Recordation and Verification FOR the purpose of establishing the Blockchain-Based Real Property Title Pilot Program in requiring the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, in coordination with certain entities, to explore evaluate the use of blockchain technology for securely recording and verifying real property ownership and leases and to assess its potential for use by law enforcement and courts in resolving certain real property disputes; and generally relating to the Blockchain-Based Real Property Title Pilot Program study to evaluate blockchain-based real property lease and title recordation and verification. SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That: (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Blockchain" means a distributed ledger technology that provides a secure, immutable, and transparent method of recording and storing data. (3) "Digital title" means a cryptographically secured token or smart contract that represents ownership of real property in the State. (4) "Pilot jurisdictions" means not more than three counties in the State selected by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to implement the Pilot Program. (5) "Pilot Program" means the Blockchain-Based Real Property Title Pilot Program. (6) (3) "Squatting" means the unauthorized occupation of …