Rep. Josh Elliott

Maddy summaryHB 5260 prohibits municipalities from penalizing homeless individuals for specific daily activities in public spaces. It directly affects homeless people by ensuring they cannot be punished for moving freely, sleeping in legally parked vehicles, using public hygiene facilities, or performing basic needs like eating, resting, or seeking medical care in public. Key provisions ban local ordinances that restrict these activities, while allowing safety-related restrictions for public health or welfare. The bill excludes school properties, airports, and interior building areas from its definition of "public place." It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5278 requires the state to add uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (minimum $1 million for bodily injury or death) to the State Fleet Insurance Policy for Department of Transportation employees. This coverage specifically protects DOT workers who are outside vehicles during job duties and are injured by drivers without insurance or insufficient coverage. The policy change must be implemented by July 1, 2027, and applies only to these state employees, not the general public. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5396 allows religious organizations to develop affordable housing on their owned land with streamlined approval. It requires that at least 30% of units be rent- or mortgage-qualified for 40 years at or below 30% of 60% of state or area median income. The bill mandates "summary review" for such projects, bypassing standard zoning restrictions on density and height, while requiring a decision within 90 days. Exemptions include properties owned less than three years, flood zones, oil/gas sites, or historic areas needing demolition approval.

Maddy summaryHB 5303 allows licensed dental hygienists with at least two years of experience to provide dental hygiene services (like cleanings, sealants, and preventive care) in private residences, expanding where they can work beyond public health facilities. It requires hygienists practicing in homes to refer patients to dentists for issues outside their scope and coordinate those referrals. The bill amends existing law to clarify this new practice location, effective October 1, 2026, and directly affects qualified dental hygienists seeking to offer in-home services. This change does not alter the specific services hygienists may perform, only the permitted locations for those services.

Maddy summaryHJ 32 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow 16-year-olds to apply for voter registration, with their eligibility automatically activating on their 18th birthday. The bill would change the state constitution to permit citizens who turn 16 to apply to become electors, though they would only gain voting rights upon reaching age 18. This applies specifically to regular elections, with 16-year-olds who have applied able to vote in primaries for those elections. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5037 requires social media platforms to verify the age of users under 18 or obtain parental consent before showing them personalized content recommendations (like feeds or suggested posts). It applies to platforms that prioritize media based on user data, excluding shopping sites and purely educational tools. Platforms must delete age verification data after use and cannot charge more or degrade service for compliance. Exceptions include private messages, search results, or content from accounts users follow. The law takes effect January 1, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 151 prohibits local municipalities from imposing specific zoning restrictions that limit housing options, effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects local governments (by restricting their zoning authority), homeowners (especially those seeking to add accessory units or operate home-based businesses), and housing developers. Key provisions ban requirements like minimum lot sizes over 5,000 square feet for single-family homes, caps on multifamily units, excessive parking mandates, and restrictions on cottage food operations or home child care in residential zones. The bill exempts historic properties, agricultural land, and conservation areas, and does not override essential safety codes. This aims to increase housing density and affordability by removing common barriers to diverse housing types.

Maddy summaryHB 5258 protects tenant organizing rights by requiring landlords to permit specific activities related to tenant organizations. The bill mandates that landlords allow tenants, tenant organizers, and their agents to distribute materials, conduct door-to-door surveys, hold meetings in common areas, and post information - without requiring prior permission - provided these activities are reasonable and lawful. It directly affects tenants seeking to form or join tenant organizations and landlords managing residential properties. Key provisions define "tenant organization" as tenant-led groups addressing housing issues and prohibit landlords from blocking these activities, except for standard community space reservation rules. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 245 eliminates tax exemptions for new data center projects in the state by ending eligibility for tax breaks under Chapters 203 and 219 of the law. It directly affects data center owners, operators, or colocation tenants planning to establish new facilities after July 1, 2026. The bill repeals a provision allowing applications for tax exemptions, making such applications ineligible after the effective date. Existing agreements remain unaffected, as the change only prohibits new applications starting July 1, 2026. This is a procedural tax code adjustment with no new funding or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 5156 establishes a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to fund climate adaptation projects by holding fossil fuel entities accountable for historical emissions. It targets fossil fuel companies (defined as entities extracting or refining fossil fuels during 1995-2024 that caused over 1 billion metric tons of emissions) to pay into a fund, rather than using taxpayer money. The fund finances specific climate adaptation projects, including coastal wetland restoration, stormwater system upgrades, urban heat mitigation, and protecting food systems from climate impacts, with priority for environmental justice communities. Projects must align with "nature-based solutions" like green infrastructure and energy-efficient retrofits for public buildings. The program is administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, starting October 1, 2026.