Bill > SB496

This bill requires the Maryland Department of Commerce to establish a web-based complaint portal where businesses and nonprofit organizations can report governmental units that take more than 60 days to process their applications for licenses, permits, certificates, or registrations. A "governmental unit" is broadly defined to include counties, municipal corporations, state and local units, and other public bodies established by state or local law. However, complaints cannot be filed if a specific law or ordinance already allows the governmental unit to take longer than 60 days to process an application. The Department of Commerce must submit an annual report by September 15th each year, beginning in 2025, to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. These reports will detail the complaints received in the preceding fiscal year, identifying the responsible governmental unit while making reasonable efforts to anonymize the data to protect the privacy of the businesses or nonprofits involved. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing a mechanism for businesses to flag bureaucratic delays and promote more efficient government processing of applications.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0496?ys=2025RS