INSIDE ANNAPOLIS | LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP
2025 Legislative Recap: MSBA Again Defeats a Tax on Services and Promotes Security for the Profession MSBA serves as the collective voice of Maryland’s legal profession, representing the interests of lawyers across the state from nearly every practice area, career stage, and demographic. This year, the Association successfully protected members from a proposed tax on services and secured funding for access to justice. MSBA also supported bills promoting security for the profession and improving judicial selection. Below is a summary of priority legislation from the 2025 session. MSBA Successfully Defeats Broad 2.5% Business-to-Business Tax on Services HB 1554/SB 1045 was introduced late in session as a measure to balance Maryland's budget and fund priorities including public safety, education, transportation, and health care. The tax would increase everyday costs for Maryland attorneys and law firms as taxable services included routine law firm transactions, such as accounting, billing, payroll, printing, marketing, lobbying, financial planning, tax preparation, and data and IT services. Through member testimony, outreach,
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MSBA.ORG | VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1
and grassroots advocacy, MSBA successfully opposed the tax that would have had a destructive effect on our profession, affecting every Maryland law firm and impacting costs and client services for non-profit and legal services organizations. Instead, legislators proceeded with a 3% tech tax that may still impact some of our members. MSBA Advances Judicial and Attorney Security Through Courtroom Standards As originally drafted, HB 789/SB 621, requested by the Maryland Judiciary, established minimum adequate security standards for courtroom security at all courthouse facilities, and required, beginning July 1, 2026, the presence
MSBA SUCCESSFULLY
opposed the 2.5% tax