Over the last year, MSBA successfully defeated multiple proposals from the Maryland State Archives for per-page or monthly subscription options to access Maryland Land Records online. The proposed fees would impact the majority of our member practice areas and were unreasonable, prohibitive, and developed without proper notice to our profession for feedback. MSBA members and firms that routinely rely on the records would have had to pay a minimum of $18,000 per year in subscription fees, plus an additional $0.20 for each page that exceeded the top subscription tier. As soon as State Archives announced the proposed charge at a March 2025 budget hearing, MSBA engaged in direct lobbying and grassroots advocacy, successfully delaying implementation of the fee (initially scheduled for May 1, 2025) to allow time for feedback on the proposed pricing.
Over the past several months, MSBA and affected stakeholders have continued to engage with the Governor’s Office, Archives, legislators, and the media about alternative access models and other funding options for the website. Today, MSBA member Searle E. Mitnick, as the MSBA’s representative on the Land Records Improvement Fund Oversight Committee, attended the Committee’s annual meeting. Based on the discussion at the meeting, it appears that State Archives will not pursue a pay-for-service or paywall at this time.
MSBA will continue to protect and educate our members throughout the upcoming legislative session against unreasonable fees. We will work with partners to review and provide feedback on any funding solutions to support online access to Maryland Land Records, including any further proposed fees on our profession.