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Bill > SB172
MD SB172
MD SB172Corporations and Associations - Methodist Churches - Trust Requirement Repeal and Disaffiliation
summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Repealing a requirement that the assets of any Methodist Church be held in trust for the United Methodist Church and be subject to the control of the Church; repealing a provision of law providing that the absence of a trust clause in any deed or conveyance executed before June 1, 1953, does not exclude certain local churches from certain provisions of law; providing that a local church that disaffiliates from the United Methodist Conference shall retain ownership of its real property, subject to certain reimbursement requirements; etc.
AI Summary
This bill repeals existing laws that required all assets of Methodist churches to be held in trust for the United Methodist Church and subject to its discipline, and instead allows local churches to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Conference and keep their property, provided they reimburse the conference for financial investments made in the local church's real property for acquisition, maintenance, or improvement. The United Methodist Conference must provide a transparent accounting of these funds, and local churches are not required to reimburse for investments they made themselves. The bill also renumbers a section of the law and sets an effective date of October 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Judicial Proceedings Hearing (11:00:00 1/28/2026 ) (on 01/28/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0172?ys=2026RS |
| BillText | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0172f.pdf |
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