Commissioned Public Art - Artist Rights and Registration of Art

Summary

The bill bars any contract for Maryland public art that receives state funding from requiring artists to give up their copyright. Artists may waive those rights voluntarily, but only in writing. It also obligates the commissioning entity to register each artwork with the Maryland State Arts Council, which will keep a public online database.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Hearings

• Budget and Taxation — Bill Hearing
  Budget and Taxation · Mar 31, 2026
• Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
  Senate Budget and Taxation Committee · Mar 31, 2026
• Appropriations — Bill Hearing
  Appropriations · Feb 3, 2026

History

1. Mar 25, 2026Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
2. Feb 27, 2026Referred Budget and Taxation
3. Feb 26, 2026Third Reading Passed
4. Feb 24, 2026Second Reading Passed with Amendments
5. Feb 24, 2026Favorable with Amendments {
6. Feb 23, 2026Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations
7. Jan 28, 2026Hearing 2/03 at 1:00 p.m.
8. Jan 21, 2026First Reading Appropriations

Sponsors

• Embry · sponsor
• Behler
• Boyce
• Crutchfield
• Forbes
• Kaufman
• Pasteur
• Ruff
• Ruth
• Stinnett
• Toles
• Wolek
• Woorman

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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