HB 1229/SB 886 — $25 Minimum Wage, Elimination of the Tip Credit + Constitutional Mandate

OVERVIEW

Legislation that would require a $25 per hour minimum wage by 2030, eliminate the tip credit, automatically increase wages with inflation and place these mandates into the Maryland Constitution is moving quickly in Annapolis. This is one of the most sweeping and permanent changes to employment law Maryland has considered — and the window to weigh in is now.

Full Text

HB1229.pdf

SB886.pdf

Sample Testimony Letter

Sample Testimony Letter – Opposition to HB 1229-SB 886.docx

February 26, 2026

Opposition to [House Bill 1229 or SB 668] – Consumer Protection and Labor and Employment – Food Service Facilities and Minimum Wage

To the Members of the [House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee -or- Senate Finance Committee]:

My name is [Name], and I am the [Owner/President] of [Business Name] in [City], Maryland. We have operated here for [X years] and currently employ [X] people. I am writing in opposition to [HB 1229 -or- SB 886].

I understand the intent of this bill is to raise worker earnings, and I care deeply about my employees. But this proposal would create economic consequences many businesses like mine simply cannot absorb — threatening jobs, increasing costs and undermining stability.

Raising the minimum wage to $25 per hour by 2030 — a 67% increase — is not a small adjustment. For our business, that would mean:

• An estimated annual payroll increase of approximately [$X]
• Pressure to raise prices for our customers
• Difficult decisions about staffing levels, hours, or expansion

This would not only affect entry-level positions. It would impact wages across our entire team due to compression.