Key takeaways
- Maryland state government spent $67.7 billion in fiscal 2024, the 16th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Department of General Services, Office of State Procurement, and vendors register and find bids in eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA).
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028 budget proposal usually comes in January (3rd Wednesday).
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 13 and is scheduled to adjourn April 12.
Maryland government at a glance
| Fact | Maryland |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $67.7 billion (16th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028 · proposal usually in January (3rd Wednesday) |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 13 to April 12 (90 days) |
| Central procurement office | Department of General Services, Office of State Procurement |
| Bid and vendor portal | eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) |
| State CIO | Katie Savage, Secretary and Chief Information Officer |
| Local governments | 342 total, including 162 special districts and 0 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 5 public power utilities and 3 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 16,236 (end of 2023) |
How Maryland buys
- Central purchasing. The Department of General Services, Office of State Procurement handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our Maryland vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Purchase thresholds
| Tier | Rule |
|---|---|
| Little or no competition | $5,000 or less |
| Informal quotes | Over $5,000 to $15,000: at least 2 bids. Over $15,000 to $100,000: at least 2 written bids and an eMMA posting |
| Formal solicitation | Over $100,000 |
Source: State Fin. & Proc. §13-109; COMAR 21.05.07. Agency and local thresholds can differ; see our state procurement thresholds guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. Maryland's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released in January (3rd Wednesday). Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 13 and is scheduled to adjourn April 12. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Katie Savage, Secretary and Chief Information Officer, leads the Department of Information Technology. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts 1 executive order, 1 law and 3 agency policies on government AI use. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in Maryland
The biggest Maryland entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | City | 569,997 residents (2025) | 30 of 100 largest cities |
| Montgomery County | County | 1,074,582 residents (2025) | 45 of 100 largest counties |
| Prince George's County | County | 970,374 residents (2025) | 57 of 100 largest counties |
| Baltimore County | County | 847,650 residents (2025) | 75 of 100 largest counties |
| Montgomery County | School district | 158,231 students (fall 2021) | 15 of 100 largest districts |
| Prince George's County | School district | 128,770 students (fall 2021) | 19 of 100 largest districts |
| Baltimore County | School district | 111,136 students (fall 2021) | 22 of 100 largest districts |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | Public university | 63,012 students (fall 2024) | 8 of 40 largest |
| Maryland Transit Administration | Transit agency | 57,907,000 trips (2023) | 18 of 50 largest |
| Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall | Airport | 12,274,134 passengers boarded (2025) | 26 of 100 busiest |
| WSSC Water | Water utility | 1,900,000 people served | 7 of 208 largest |
| City of Baltimore water system | Water utility | 1,600,000 people served | 10 of 208 largest |
| Baltimore (MD) Police | Police department | 2,524 sworn officers (2016) | 11 of 50 largest |
| Baltimore County (MD) Police | Police department | 1,869 sworn officers (2016) | 21 of 50 largest |
| Port of Baltimore | Port | 1,113,309 TEUs (2025) | 13 of 16 largest |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 342 local governments. That includes 162 special districts and 0 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 5 public power utilities and 3 electric cooperatives serve 267,045 customers, 11% of the state. See Maryland utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research Maryland buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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