Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1029: Real Property - Termination of Residential Real Estate Contracts - Contingency Clauses
Status: In committee, March 23, 2026
Altering the definition of "contingency clause" as the term applies to the circumstances under which a residential real estate contract may be terminated by a purchaser; and altering the time period from 30 days to 5 days, within which a holder of trust money must distribute trust money to a purchaser.
What the bill says
An act concerning Real Property - Termination of Residential Real Estate Contracts - Contingency Clauses FOR the purpose of altering the definition of "contingency clause" as it applies to the circumstances under which a residential real estate contract may be terminated by a purchaser; altering the time period within which a certain holder of trust money must distribute trust money to a purchaser; and generally relating to contingency clauses and residential real estate contracts…
From the engrossed text, March 20, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Real Property - Termination of Residential Real Estate Contracts - Contingency Clauses FOR the purpose of altering the definition of "contingency clause" as it applies to the circumstances under which a residential real estate contract may be terminated by a purchaser; altering the time period within which a certain holder of trust money must distribute trust money to a purchaser; and generally relating to contingency clauses and residential real estate contracts. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Real Property Section 10-802(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Real Property Section 10-803 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 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. *hb1029* HOUSE BILL 1029 Article - Real Property 10-802. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Escrow agent" means a person engaged in the business of residential real estate settlements who receives trust money. (3) "Residential real estate" means: (i) …
Sponsors
- Denise Roberts (D, 25) · primary sponsor
- Michael Griffith (R, HD-035B)
- Andrea Harrison (D, HD-024)
- Andre Johnson (D, HD-034)
- Edith Patterson (D, HD-028)
- Kym Taylor (D, 23)
- Karen Toles (D, 25)
- Veronica Turner (D, 26)
- Jennifer White Holland (D, HD-010)
- Greg Wims (D, 39)
- Jamila Woods (D, HD-026)
Latest actions
- : Referred Judicial Proceedings
- : Third Reading Passed (126-0)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Economic Matters
- : Hearing 3/05 at 1:30 p.m.
- : Hearing canceled
- : Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Economic Matters
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (126-0) (March 21, 2026): 126 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1029?
- HB1029 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Real Property - Termination of Residential Real Estate Contracts - Contingency Clauses.
- What does HB1029 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Real Property - Termination of Residential Real Estate Contracts - Contingency Clauses FOR the purpose of altering the definition of "contingency clause" as it applies to the circumstances under which a residential real estate contract may be terminated by a purchaser; altering the time period within which a certain holder of trust money must distribute trust money to a purchaser; and generally relating to contingency clauses and residential real estate contracts…
- What is the status of HB1029?
- In committee as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Referred Judicial Proceedings (March 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1029?
- Denise Roberts (D, 25), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1029?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1029?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.