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*sb0376*
SENATE BILL 376
I1, S2 6lr1797
CF HB 470
By: Senator Watson
Introduced and read first time: January 27, 2026
Assigned to: Finance
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: February 25, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force – Establishment 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force 3
to study and make recommendations regarding the use and regulation of blockchain 4
technology and cryptocurrency in the State; and generally relating to the Digital 5
Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force. 6
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 7
That: 8
(a) There is a Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force. 9
(b) The Task Force consists of the following members: 10
(1) two members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 11
the Senate; 12
(2) two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of 13
the House; 14
(3) the Comptroller, or the Comptroller’s designee; 15
(4) the State Treasurer, or the State Treasurer’s designee; 16
(4) (5) the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee; 17
2 SENATE BILL 376
(6) the Secretary of Information Technology, or the Secretary’s designee; 1
(5) (7) the Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee; and 2
(8) the Securities Commissioner, or the Commissioner’s designee; and 3
(6) (9) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 4
(i) one representative two representatives of the financial services 5
industry; 6
(ii) one faculty member of an institution of higher education in the 7
State who specializes in economics; and 8
(iii) two representatives of the Maryland Blockchain Association. 9
(c) The members of the Task Force shall elect the chair of the Task Force. 10
(d) The Office of Financial Regulation in the Maryland Department of Labor shall 11
provide staff for the Task Force. 12
(e) A member of the Task Force: 13
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 14
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 15
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 16
(f) The Task Force shall: 17
(1) conduct an analysis of the expansion of blockchain technology and 18
cryptocurrency in the State that includes: 19
(i) a discussion of the overall concepts of blockchain technology and 20
cryptocurrency in the State; 21
(ii) an examination of the assoc iated risks, including privacy risks, 22
and the benefits of using blockchain technology and cryptocurrency in State and local 23
government and in private businesses in the State; 24
(iii) an assessment of the impact of the cryptocurrency industry on 25
the State, including its effect on State revenues and energy consumption; and 26
(iv) any other topic, as determined by the Task Force, related to 27
blockchain technology or cryptocurrency; and 28
SENATE BILL 376 3
(2) make recommendations regarding the use and regulation of blockchain 1
technology and cryptocurrency in the State. 2
(g) On or before October 1, 2027, the Task Force shall report its findings and 3
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State 4
Government Article, the General Assembly, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House 5
Economic Matters Committee. 6
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 7
1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 2 years and, at the end of June 30, 2028, 8
this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 9
of no further force and effect. 10
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.