Del. Jessica Feldmark

Maddy summaryHB 562, the "Maintenance of Effort Modernization Act," updates Maryland's method for calculating annual inflation adjustments in local school funding. It replaces the current formula with a new standard that uses the lesser of three measures: the Consumer Price Index for the Washington Metropolitan Area, a government spending index, or 5%, with 0% if neither index rises. This change requires county governments and Baltimore City to adjust their annual local school funding appropriations based on this new inflation metric, starting July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all Maryland counties and Baltimore City, which are responsible for maintaining local school funding levels.

Maddy summaryHB 350, the "Voting Rights Act of 2026," applies to local elections in Maryland counties and cities, protecting the voting rights of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups. It prohibits election methods that weaken the voting power of these groups, preventing them from electing preferred candidates or influencing election outcomes. Courts will determine violations by examining past election patterns and federal voting rights standards, rather than requiring proof of discriminatory intent. If a violation is found, courts can order remedies like changing election systems, but must respect existing statewide election practices.

Maddy summaryHB 568 expands Maryland's public campaign financing program to include candidates for State Senate and House of Delegates, who were previously ineligible. The bill establishes specific qualifications (like residency and contribution limits) that candidates must meet to receive public funds from the Fair Campaign Financing Fund. It sets limits on the total public contributions these candidates can receive during elections and requires the State Board of Elections to distribute funds in a specified manner. The fund is financed through voluntary contributions, tax checkoffs, and campaign finance penalties, making it available to qualifying legislative candidates alongside existing gubernatorial candidates. This change directly affects candidates running for state legislative office by providing a new public financing option.

Maddy summaryHB 930 modifies Maryland’s income tax code to decouple from federal changes affecting education expenses. It prohibits the Governor from joining a federal tax credit program for elementary/secondary education scholarships and adjusts how employer contributions to education accounts (like Maryland’s Prepaid College Trust or College Investment Plans) are treated. Specifically, it adds tax on unused distributions from these accounts if not used for qualified education expenses, while excluding contributions and qualified distributions from taxable income. This directly affects Maryland residents using these education savings accounts and ensures state tax rules differ from federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 539 creates a pathway for individuals lacking formal proof of educational credentials to become child care teachers in Maryland centers serving preschool or school-age children (3+ years old). It requires the State Board of Education to establish a process where these individuals can be hired during a 6-month probationary period while completing approved pre-service training (90 hours total). To qualify, they must hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in specific fields (e.g., early childhood education, child development) and complete training within six months of hire, or complete 45 hours before hire and finish the rest within six months. Child care centers must terminate or reassign teachers who fail to meet these requirements by the end of the probationary period. The bill directly affects child care centers and prospective teachers who possess relevant education but lack documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 541 requires all Maryland public schools to provide free menstrual hygiene products (tampons or sanitary napkins) in women’s restrooms at no cost to students. Each county board of education must install dispensers in at least two women’s restrooms at middle/high schools by October 2022 (and all by August 2025) and in at least one restroom at elementary schools by October 2022. Schools must regularly restock these dispensers to ensure availability, with the state reimbursing counties for installation and product costs through a $500,000 fiscal year 2023 appropriation. The law applies directly to public school students and county education boards, taking effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 488 establishes the geographic boundaries for Maryland's eight congressional districts for the 2026 elections. It specifies exact county and election district portions, using census tract data to define district lines where precincts are split, based on boundaries as they existed on January 13, 2026. This bill directly affects voters in Maryland's congressional districts by determining which communities are grouped together for electing U.S. Representatives. It replaces previous election law sections (8-702 through 8-709) and clarifies that certain districting rules apply only to state legislative districts, not congressional ones.

Maddy summaryHB 695 establishes the Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program to provide no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maryland. The program, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center, funds the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying renewable energy systems (like solar panels) and energy efficiency improvements (such as HVAC upgrades or window replacements). Eligible projects must support Maryland’s environmental and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The program is funded through a new special nonlapsing loan fund, with interest earnings reinvested into the fund.

Maddy summaryHB 394 requires Maryland county school boards to annually identify areas where students live too far from school for bus transportation and list safe walking/biking routes (with sidewalks, crosswalks, or paths) for those students. County governments must then review these reports and construct necessary sidewalks and crosswalks to create these safe routes. The bill applies to all counties and mandates coordination with other entities if county-owned roads aren't sufficient. It directly affects public school students living beyond bus service distance and county governments responsible for infrastructure. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 331 establishes Maryland's Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program. It requires beverage producers to register, pay fees, and join a stewardship organization to manage recycling, mandates that all redeemable containers display refund information, and requires retailers to include the container's refund value in prices. Consumers receive refunds when returning containers to designated redemption facilities, while local governments can operate facilities to earn credits toward recycling targets. The bill also creates a grant program to fund public water fountains and refill stations, aiming to reduce litter and increase recycling rates.