Maryland Partnerships Maryland enterprise zone program

L. 2022, H478 (c. 732), effective 06/01/2022 and applicable to all taxable years beginning after 12/31/2021, amends the Maryland enterprise zone program. “Focus area employee” means an individual who earns at least 120% of the state minimum wage (previously, 150% of the federal minimum wage). “Qualified employee” means an individual who is hired to fill a newly created position or, if the individual is an economically disadvantaged individual, is hired to fill a position previously held by another economically disadvantaged individual (previously, means an individual who is a new employee or an employee rehired after being laid off for more than one year by a business entity). The amendment to the earnings requirement applicable to the focus area employee definition applies to the definition of qualified employee. Amendments are also made to the Secretary of Commerce’s authority to designate areas as enterprise zones, and reporting requirements imposed on the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) and the Maryland Comptroller to the Maryland Department of Commerce regarding the program.