MD SB597: Higher Education - Maryland Artificial Intelligence Partnership

In one paragraph

Maryland's SB 597 creates the Maryland Artificial Intelligence Partnership in the University System of Maryland as a single nexus for AI initiatives. It must develop a State AI strategic plan by December 1, 2026, report progress each December 1 from 2027, and set up Maryland Technology Extension Hubs, one pilot hub in each of three regions by December 15, 2027, linking small businesses to AI resources. It also creates an AI Public Service Fellowship placing public college students on State agency AI projects, an AI Incubation Lab for State agencies (subject to a memorandum of understanding) and a Morgan State AI research role. Approved May 26, 2026 (Chapter 633); effective July 1, 2026.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

No duties for businesses. Pilot Maryland Technology Extension Hubs, one in each of three regions by December 15, 2027, must connect small businesses with AI resources and partner with local employers and small business associations.

Key provisions

1. 1New Education § 12-124: the Partnership, which has a director, must connect, accelerate and scale AI initiatives, leverage resources to increase the State's AI-trained workforce and integrate AI in State government, identify and pursue federal, State, industry and philanthropic funding, and establish the hubs, consulting State agencies, Maryland colleges, the Maryland Small Business Development Center and local workforce development boards
2. 2By December 1, 2026, a strategic plan with metrics for AI literacy, workforce development, business development, and research and innovation; business plans and timelines for the hubs (including how to provide AI skills training at little or no cost) and the Incubation Lab; a scholarship and fellowship analysis; and a business plan for the Partnership's sustained impact. Progress reports on achieving the plan go to the Governor and General Assembly each December 1 from 2027
3. 3Technology Extension Hubs prioritize AI; by December 15, 2027 there must be one pilot hub in each of three regions, each a single point of contact connecting small businesses with AI resources, partnering with a community college, local employers, small business associations and community organizers, and facilitating remote cloud-based computing access
4. 4§ 12-125: the Artificial Intelligence Public Service Fellowship matches students at public colleges with State agencies on AI projects; it may include a mechanism for a State agency, with Department of Budget and Management approval, to repurpose funds to support it
5. 5§ 12-126: subject to a memorandum of understanding between USM and the Department of Budget and Management, an Artificial Intelligence Incubation Lab helps State agencies discover, develop and apply AI prototypes and manage AI risk; the Department of Information Technology must give it policy guidance
6. 6§ 14-111: Morgan State's Center for Equitable Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems supports State agencies on AI use; the Governor's AI Subcabinet may request research by December 1 each year, with the Center's report due December 1 of the following year
7. 7Changes to the Cyber Warrior Diversity Program and the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship in earlier versions were struck by amendment; the act does not alter them
8. 8Approved by the Governor May 26, 2026 (Chapter 633 of 2026); effective July 1, 2026

Latest legislative action

May 26, 2026. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 633

Sponsors (showing 5 of 8)

Roll call votes

Amendments (2)

• Favorable with Amendments 643822/1 Not adopted 2026-03-20
• Favorable with Amendments 543723/1 Adopted Adopted 2026-04-11