HB 1431

HOUSE BILL 1431
      C7  6lr2922
      HB 526/24 – W&M
     By: Delegate Buckel
     Introduced and read first time: February 13, 2026
     Assigned to: Ways and Means
  A BILL ENTITLED
1 AN ACT concerning
2Sports Wagering – Licenses – Application Period
3 FOR the purpose of requiring the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, subject
4      to certain limitations, to accept and consider applications for sports wagering facility
5      licenses and mobile sports wagering licenses submitted before a certain date; and
6      generally relating to sports wagering and the Sports Wagering Application Review
7      Commission.
8 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
9Article – State Government
10Section 9–1E–15(h)(4)
11Annotated Code of Maryland
12(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
13SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
14 That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
15Article – State Government
16 9–1E–15.
17(h)     (4)     The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission shall:
18(i)    to the extent permitted by federal and State law, actively seek to
19 achieve racial, ethnic, and gender diversity when awarding licenses; [and]
20(ii)   encourage applicants who qualify as a minority business
21 enterprise, as defined in § 14–301 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, or who
22 are small, minority, or women–owned business entities to apply for sports wagering
23 licenses under this subtitle; AND
     EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
  [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
  *hb1431*
2HOUSE BILL 1431
1(III) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS UNDER § 9–1E–06 OF THIS
2 SUBTITLE, ACCEPT AND CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR A SPORTS WAGERING
3 LICENSE THAT IS SUBMITTED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2028.
4SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
5 1, 2026.