MARYLAND — In the final week of Maryland’s legislative session, lawmakers are pushing for a controversial “sleep tax” that would impose a new levy on mattress sales. The proposal, which was approved by the Maryland House last week, would be part of a new “Mattress Stewardship Program” aimed at promoting environmentally friendly mattress disposal and recycling methods. While the exact amount of the tax has not been defined in the bill, it would require mattress producers to outline their recycling and disposal plans. This measure is part of a broader set of proposals aimed at addressing Maryland’s significant budget deficit, which exceeds $3 billion. As part of the package, the state also announced $1.6 billion in new taxes and fees, along with $2 billion in budget cuts. If passed, the mattress tax would be an additional charge on top of Maryland’s existing 6% sales tax on all purchases, including mattresses, raising questions about its impact on consumers and the state’s economy.
