HB 1078

HOUSE BILL 1078
     C8  6lr3348
  CF SB 883
     By: Delegate Edelson
     Introduced and read first time: February 10, 2026
     Assigned to: Appropriations
  A BILL ENTITLED
1 AN ACT concerning
2  Economic Development – Maryland Stadium Authority – Carroll Park Soccer
3Stadium and Facility
4 FOR the purpose of authorizing the Maryland Stadium Authority to review certain matters
5      and make certain recommendations relating to the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and
6      Facility; authorizing the Authority to acquire by certain means a Carroll Park Soccer
7      Stadium and Facility site or an interest in the site; requiring the Authority to
8      transfer certain lease payments to the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and Facility
9      Fund under certain circumstances; requiring the Authority to submit a certain
10      annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly; prohibiting the Board of
11      Public Works from approving an issuance by the Authority of certain bonds under
12      certain circumstances; requiring the Authority, with certain exceptions, to comply
13      with certain requirements to finance certain site acquisition, design, and
14      construction activities; requiring the Authority to obtain the approval of the Board
15      of Public Works for certain matters; establishing the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium
16      and Facility Fund as a continuing, nonlapsing fund; and generally relating to
17      financing the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and Facility.
18 BY renumbering
19Article – Economic Development
20Section 10–601(p) through (hhh)
21to be Section 10–601(r) through (jjj), respectively
22Annotated Code of Maryland
23(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
24 BY adding to
25      Article – Economic Development
26      Section 10–601(p) and (q), 10–646.5, and 10–657.7
27      Annotated Code of Maryland
28      (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
     EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
  [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
  *hb1078*
2HOUSE BILL 1078
1 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
2Article – Economic Development
3Section 10–601(u)
4Annotated Code of Maryland
5(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
6(As enacted by Section 1 of this Act)
7 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
8Article – Economic Development
9Section 10–613(b), 10–618(b), 10–620(d) and (e), 10–625(a)(2), 10–628(c)(1), and
1010–634
11Annotated Code of Maryland
12(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
13 BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
14Article – State Finance and Procurement
15Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) and (ii)
16Annotated Code of Maryland
17(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
18 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
19Article – State Finance and Procurement
20Section 6–226(a)(2)(iii)212. and 213.
21Annotated Code of Maryland
22(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
23 BY adding to
24      Article – State Finance and Procurement
25      Section 6–226(a)(2)(iii)214.
26      Annotated Code of Maryland
27      (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
28 BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
29Article – State Government
30Section 9–1E–12(a)
31Annotated Code of Maryland
32(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
33 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
34Article – State Government
35Section 9–1E–12(b)
36Annotated Code of Maryland
37(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
38 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
39Chapter 717 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024, as amended by Chapters
40237, 409, and 410 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2025
  HOUSE BILL 1078  3
1Section 8(87) and (88)
2 BY adding to
3      Chapter 717 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024, as amended by Chapters
4237, 409, and 410 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2025
5      Section 8(89)
6SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
7 That Section(s) 10–601(p) through (hhh) of Article – Economic Development of the
8 Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 10–601(r) through (jjj),
9 respectively.
10SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read
11 as follows:
12Article – Economic Development
13 10–601.
14(P)“CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY” MEANS A SOCCER
15 STADIUM AND FACILITY LOCATED IN BALTIMORE CITY THAT IS USED PRIMARILY
16 FOR PROFESSIONAL SOCCER AND AS A SOCCER ACADEMY AND SCHOOL.
17(Q)  “CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY FUND” MEANS THE
18 CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER §
19 10–657.7 OF THIS SUBTITLE.
20(u)   “Facility” means:
21(1)    a structure or other improvement developed at Camden Yards;
22(2)    a convention facility;
23(3)    the Hippodrome Performing Arts facility;
24(4)    a sports facility;
25(5)    a Baltimore City public school facility;
26(6)    a racing facility;
27(7)    a training facility for thoroughbred horses;
28(8)    a public school facility;
29(9)    the Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility;
4HOUSE BILL 1078
1(10)   a sports entertainment facility; [or]
2(11)   a Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor facility; OR
3(12) THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY.
4 10–613.
5(b)   The Authority may review and make recommendations on proposed
6 convention center facilities, the Hippodrome Performing Arts facility, the Hagerstown
7 Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility, [and] a Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor
8 facility, AND THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY, including the
9 expansion and enhancement of the Baltimore City Convention Center and the Ocean City
10 Convention Center and the development and construction of the Montgomery County
11 Conference Center, the Hippodrome Performing Arts Center, the Hagerstown Multi–Use
12 Sports and Events Facility, [and] a Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor facility,
13 AND THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY with respect to location,
14 purpose, design, function, capacity, parking, costs, funding mechanisms, and revenue
15 alternatives, with specific recommendations on:
16(1)    the level of support from the private sector;
17(2)    the type of support from the private sector;
18(3)    special taxing sources;
19(4)    projected revenues;
20(5)    bonding authority and the source of debt service; and
21(6)    the fiscal impact on the State of any revenue alternatives.
22 10–618.
23(b)   The Authority may:
24(1)    acquire by any of the means specified in § 10–620(a) of this subtitle:
25(i)     a site at Camden Yards for a facility;
26(ii)    a Baltimore Convention site or an interest in the site;
27(iii)   an Ocean City Convention site or an interest in the site;
28(iv)    a Montgomery County Conference site or an interest in the site;
  HOUSE BILL 1078  5
1(v)     a Hippodrome Performing Arts site or an interest in the site;
2(vi)    a Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility site or an
3 interest in the site;
4(vii)   a sports entertainment facility site or an interest in the site;
5 [and]
6(viii) a Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor facility site or an
7 interest in the site; and
8(IX)
  THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY SITE
9 OR AN INTEREST IN THE SITE; AND
10(2)    construct or enter into a contract to construct a facility on a site it
11 acquires under this subsection.
12 10–620.
13(d)    (1)   The exercise of authority under this subsection is subject to the prior
14 approval of the Board of Public Works.
15(2)   On request of the Authority, the State, a unit of the State, or a political
16 subdivision may lease, lend, grant, or otherwise convey to the Authority, property,
17 including property devoted to public use, as necessary or convenient for the purposes of this
18 subtitle.
19(3)   The State may lease or sublease a facility, or an interest in a facility,
20 from or to the Authority, whether or not constructed or usable.
21(4)        Lease payments to the Authority appropriated by the State shall be
22 transferred to:
23(i)  the Baltimore Convention Fund if appropriated for a Baltimore
24 Convention facility;
25(ii)  the Camden Yards Fund if appropriated for a sports facility or
26 other facility at Camden Yards;
27(iii) the Hippodrome Performing Arts Fund if appropriated for a
28 Hippodrome Performing Arts facility;
29(iv) the Montgomery County Conference Fund if appropriated for a
30 Montgomery County Conference facility;
6HOUSE BILL 1078
1(v)    the Ocean City Convention Fund if appropriated for an Ocean
2 City Convention facility;
3(vi) the Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility Fund if
4 appropriated for a Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility;
5(vii) the Sports Entertainment  Facilities   Financing   Fund    if
6 appropriated for a sports entertainment facility; [or]
7(viii) the Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor Facility Fund if
8 appropriated for a Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor facility; OR
9(IX)
  THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY
10 FUND IF APPROPRIATED FOR THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND
11 FACILITY.
12(e)   (1)    This subsection does not apply to the Camden Yards site, Baltimore
13 Convention site, Ocean City Convention site, Hippodrome Performing Arts site, any
14 Baltimore City public school site, any racing facility, the Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and
15 Events Facility site, any supplemental facility site, any public school site, a sports
16 entertainment facility, [or] a Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor facility site, OR
17 THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY SITE.
18(2)   The Authority and any Authority affiliate are subject to applicable
19 planning, zoning, and development regulations to the same extent as a private commercial
20 or industrial enterprise.
21 10–625.
22(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Authority shall submit:
23(2)     annual reports on the additional tax revenues generated by each of the
24 following facilities:
25(i)     the Baltimore Convention facility;
26(ii)    the Hippodrome Performing Arts facility;
27(iii)   the Montgomery County Conference facility;
28(iv)    the Ocean City Convention facility;
29(v)     the Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility;
30(vi)    a sports entertainment facility; [and]
  HOUSE BILL 1078  7
1(vii)   a Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor facility site; AND
2(VIII) THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY.
3 10–628.
4(c)   (1)    Unless authorized by the General Assembly, the Board of Public Works
5 may not approve an issuance by the Authority of bonds, whether taxable or tax exempt,
6 that constitute tax supported debt or nontax supported debt if, after issuance, there would
7 be outstanding and unpaid more than the following face amounts of the bonds for the
8 purpose of financing acquisition, construction, renovation, and related expenses for
9 construction management, professional fees, and contingencies in connection with:
10(i)     the Baltimore Convention facility – $55,000,000;
11(ii)    the Hippodrome Performing Arts facility – $20,250,000;
12(iii)   the Montgomery County Conference facility – $23,185,000;
13(iv)    the Ocean City Convention facility – $24,500,000;
14(v)     Baltimore City public school facilities – $1,100,000,000;
15(vi)    supplemental facilities – $25,000,000;
16(vii)   racing facilities – $400,000,000;
17(viii) public school facilities in the State – $2,200,000,000;
18(ix)    the Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility –
19 $59,500,000;
20(x)     sports entertainment facilities – $220,000,000; [and]
21(xi)    Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor facilities –
22 $400,000,000; AND
23(XII) THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY –
24 $216,600,000.
25 10–634.
26(a)   A pledge by the Authority of revenues or money deposited in the Baltimore
27 City Public School Construction Financing Fund [or], the Supplemental Public School
28 Construction Financing Fund, OR THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND
8HOUSE BILL 1078
1 FACILITY FUND as security for an issue of bonds is valid and binding from when the pledge
2 is made.
3(b)    (1)  The revenues or money deposited in the Baltimore City Public School
4 Construction Financing Fund [or], the Supplemental Public School Construction Financing
5 Fund, OR THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY FUND that are
6 pledged are immediately subject to the lien of the pledge without any physical delivery or
7 further act.
8(2)    The lien of any pledge is valid and binding against any person having a
9 claim against the Authority in tort, contract, or otherwise, regardless of whether the person
10 has notice of the lien.
11(c)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in order to perfect a lien on
12 pledged revenues or money deposited in the Baltimore City Public School Construction
13 Financing Fund [or], the Supplemental Public School Construction Financing Fund, OR
14 THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY FUND against a third person,
15 it is not necessary to file or record any document adopted or entered into by the Authority
16 in any public record other than in the records of the Authority.
17 10–646.5.
18(A)  EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY § 10–639 OF THIS SUBTITLE, TO FINANCE
19 SITE ACQUISITION, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF ANY SEGMENT OF THE
20 CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY, THE AUTHORITY SHALL COMPLY
21 WITH THIS SECTION.
22      (B) AT LEAST 45 DAYS BEFORE SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF
23 PUBLIC WORKS FOR EACH BOND ISSUE OR OTHER BORROWING, THE AUTHORITY
24 SHALL PROVIDE TO THE FISCAL COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN
25 ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, A
26 COMPREHENSIVE FINANCING PLAN FOR THE RELEVANT SEGMENT OF THE FACILITY.
27     (C) THE AUTHORITY SHALL OBTAIN THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF
28 PUBLIC WORKS OF THE PROPOSED BOND ISSUE AND THE FINANCING PLAN.
29(D) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2028 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER, UNTIL
30 THE BONDS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO FINANCE THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER
31 STADIUM AND FACILITY ARE NO LONGER OUTSTANDING AND UNPAID, THE
32 COMPTROLLER SHALL DEPOSIT INTO THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND
33 FACILITY FUND THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO PAY PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE
34 BONDS FOR THAT FISCAL YEAR AS REQUIRED UNDER § 9–1E–12(B)(2)(III) OF THE
35 STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.
  HOUSE BILL 1078  9
1     (E) THE AUTHORITY MAY NOT ISSUE BONDS TO FINANCE THE CARROLL
2 PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY UNTIL THE AUTHORITY AND UNITED
3 PARTNERSHIP SECURE A WRITTEN OPERATING AGREEMENT.
4 10–657.7.
5      (A) IN THIS SECTION, “FUND” MEANS THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER
6 STADIUM AND FACILITY FUND.
7      (B)    THERE IS A CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY FUND.
8      (C)    THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO:
9(1)  USE THE FUND AS A REVOLVING FUND FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS
10 SUBTITLE AS IT RELATES TO THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY;
11 AND
12(2)PAY ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE AUTHORITY THAT ARE
13 RELATED TO THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY.
14      (D)    THE AUTHORITY SHALL ADMINISTER THE FUND.
15      (E)    (1)
  THE FUND IS A CONTINUING, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT
16 SUBJECT TO REVERSION UNDER § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND
17 PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.
18(2)
  THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY,
19 AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACCOUNT FOR THE FUND.
20      (F)    (1)
  TO THE EXTENT CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE BY THE AUTHORITY,
21 THE RECEIPTS OF THE FUND SHALL BE PLEDGED TO AND CHARGED WITH THE
22 FOLLOWING RELATING TO THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY:
23(I)    PAYMENT OF DEBT SERVICE ON AUTHORITY BONDS;
24(II)
  ALL REASONABLE CHARGES AND EXPENSES RELATED TO
25 THE AUTHORITY’S BORROWING; AND
26(III) THE MANAGEMENT OF AUTHORITY OBLIGATIONS.
27(2)   THE PLEDGE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AS PROVIDED IN § 10–634 OF
28 THIS SUBTITLE.
29      (G)    THE FUND CONSISTS OF:
10HOUSE BILL 1078
1(1)   MONEY APPROPRIATED FOR DEPOSIT IN THE FUND;
2(2)
  REVENUES COLLECTED OR RECEIVED FROM ANY SOURCE UNDER
3 THIS SUBTITLE CONCERNING THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND
4 FACILITY;
5(3)   INTEREST EARNINGS; AND
6(4)
  ANY ADDITIONAL MONEY MADE AVAILABLE FROM ANY PUBLIC OR
7 PRIVATE SOURCE FOR THE PURPOSES ESTABLISHED FOR THE FUND.
8(H)     (1)
  THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVEST THE MONEY OF THE FUND
9 IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE INVESTED.
10(2)   ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE PAID INTO THE
11 FUND.
12Article – State Finance and Procurement
13 6–226.
14(a)     (2)   (i)      This paragraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
15(ii)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless
16 inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the
17 terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the
18 State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to
19 receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General
20 Fund of the State.
21(iii) The provisions of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph do not
22 apply to the following funds:
23212.   the Department of Social and Economic Mobility Special
24 Fund; [and]
25213.   the Population Health Improvement Fund; AND
26214. THE     CARROLL      PARK     SOCCER     STADIUM      AND
27 FACILITY FUND.
28Article – State Government
29 9–1E–12.
  HOUSE BILL 1078  11
1(a)    (1)     The Commission shall account to the Comptroller for all of the revenue
2 under this subtitle.
3(2)   The proceeds from sports wagering, less the amount retained by the
4 licensee under subsection (b)(1) of this section, shall be under the control of the Comptroller
5 and distributed as provided under subsection (b) of this section.
6(b)   (1)    (i)   Except as provided in subparagraphs (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this
7 paragraph, all proceeds from sports wagering shall be electronically transferred monthly
8 into the State Lottery Fund established under Subtitle 1 of this title.
9(ii)  A Class A–1 and A–2 sports wagering facility licensee shall
10 retain 85% of the proceeds from sports wagering conducted at the locations described in §
11 9–1E–09(a) of this subtitle.
12(iii) A Class B–1 and B–2 sports wagering facility licensee shall
13 retain 85% of the proceeds from sports wagering conducted at the location described in the
14 licensee’s application.
15(iv) A mobile sports wagering licensee shall retain 80% of the
16 proceeds from online sports wagering received by the licensee.
17(2)    (i)   Except as provided in [subparagraph (ii)] SUBPARAGRAPHS (II)
18 AND (III) of this paragraph, all proceeds from sports wagering in the State Lottery Fund
19 established under Subtitle 1 of this title shall be distributed on a monthly basis, on a
20 properly approved transmittal prepared by the Commission to the Blueprint for Maryland’s
21 Future Fund established under § 5–206 of the Education Article.
22(ii)   For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, 5% of the
23 proceeds attributable to mobile sports wagering shall be deposited in the General Fund.
24(III) FOR
  FISCAL YEAR 2028 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR
25 THEREAFTER, BEFORE MAKING THE DISTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED UNDER
26 SUBPARAGRAPHS (I) AND (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL
27 DISTRIBUTE TO THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY FUND
28 ESTABLISHED UNDER § 10–657.7 OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE THE
29 AMOUNT NECESSARY TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS
30 ISSUED FOR THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY FOR THAT
31 FISCAL YEAR.
32 Chapter 717 of the Acts of 2024, as amended by Chapters 237, 409, and 410 of the
33Acts of 2025
34SECTION 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any other
35 provision of law, and unless inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other
12HOUSE BILL 1078
1 federal requirement, or with the terms of a gift or settlement agreement, for fiscal years
2 2024 through 2028, net interest on all State money allocated by the State Treasurer under
3 § 6–226 of the State Finance and Procurement Article to special funds or accounts, and
4 otherwise entitled to receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall
5 accrue to the General Fund of the State, with the exception of the following funds:
6(87)   the Academic Excellence Fund; [and]
7(88)   the Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries Fund; AND
8(89) THE CARROLL PARK SOCCER STADIUM AND FACILITY FUND.
9SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
10 1, 2026.