SB757 creates the Maryland Local Sourcing Portal, a searchable online database to help businesses in the state find local sources for tariff-impacted goods and other supplies. The Department of Commerce would be required to develop and maintain the portal, which would be searchable by NAICS code and allow voluntary participants to list categories of supplies or inventory available in Maryland, along with an indicator that inventory is currently available for purchase. The bill also directs the Department to coordinate with other state agencies to identify potential local sources and reduce development costs, and it requires an annual report to the General Assembly on the portal’s use and effectiveness.
The bill also amends Maryland’s consumer protection law to make it an unfair or deceptive trade practice to fail to disclose when the price of a consumer good includes a tariff and to disclose the amount of that tariff. The portal must comply with accessibility standards and data minimization/security requirements, and the state and its employees are shielded from claims arising from participant-submitted data or private transactions conducted through the portal. The act takes effect October 1, 2026, and is temporary, expiring at the end of September 30, 2031 unless renewed.
Impact
SB757 would expand Maryland’s unfair trade practices statute in the Commercial Law Article by adding tariff-related price disclosure requirements, creating potential enforcement exposure for sellers who do not disclose tariff-inclusive pricing. It would also add a new section to the Economic Development Article directing the Department of Commerce to build and operate a statewide sourcing database, affecting how businesses locate in-state suppliers and how state agencies support supply-chain matching for tariff-impacted goods and other inventory. The bill is temporary and includes reporting and liability-limiting provisions, so its legal effect would be significant but time-limited unless extended.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable treatment in the legislative process, as reflected by a favorable committee report with amendments and passage on third reading in both chambers. The recorded floor votes show clear majorities in favor, though not unanimity, suggesting broad support with some reservations. The amendments and the absence of committee transcript material indicate the final version likely reflected efforts to narrow scope, address implementation concerns, and add safeguards around data, privacy, and liability.
Contention
The main points of contention likely center on the tariff disclosure mandate and the practicality of requiring businesses to identify and disclose tariff components in consumer pricing, which could be difficult for retailers and suppliers to calculate consistently. Another likely issue is the cost and administrative burden of building and maintaining the local sourcing portal, as well as concerns about data accuracy, proprietary inventory information, and whether participation by local sources should remain voluntary. The bill’s liability shield and privacy/security provisions suggest lawmakers were attentive to these concerns, especially for the Department of Commerce and participating businesses.