Del. Gary Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 1489, the "Vincent Anthony Fisher III Act," allows certain incarcerated individuals to seek sentence reductions by modifying eligibility rules for motions to reduce sentence duration. It applies to two groups: (1) people convicted as adults for crimes committed as minors (with at least 20 years served and no life without parole), and (2) those convicted between ages 18-25 (with at least 20 years served, not a sex offender, and not convicted of specific violent offenses like murder of first responders or certain vehicular homicides). Courts must hold hearings considering factors like the person’s age at the offense, rehabilitation efforts, victim impact statements, and whether the individual poses a public safety risk. If the court finds the person is not a danger and justice requires it, it may reduce the sentence.

Maddy summaryHB 876 repeals a time limit that previously prevented certain individuals from filing a motion to reduce their prison sentence. It applies to people convicted as adults for crimes committed as minors (if sentenced before October 1, 2021) who have served 20+ years, or those convicted between ages 18-24 for non-violent crimes (excluding sex offenders and specific murders) who have served 20+ years. The bill requires courts to hold a hearing on such motions, allowing the individual to present evidence and victims to submit impact statements without cross-examination, with the individual required to attend in person or via video unless waived.

Maddy summaryHB 685 allows Anne Arundel County or its municipalities to create a property tax credit for county employees who own homes within the county. The bill authorizes local governments to set eligibility rules, credit amounts, and application procedures through their own ordinances. It directly affects Anne Arundel County employees who own qualifying dwellings, reducing their local property tax burden. The credit would apply to tax years beginning after June 30, 2026, with implementation starting June 1, 2026. The bill establishes a framework but does not specify exact credit details, leaving those to local decision-making.

Maddy summaryHB 737 requires health insurance plans (HMOs) to pay non-contracted healthcare providers at minimum rates: 140% of Medicare rates for trauma care, and 125% of the 2019 rate adjusted for inflation for other services. This affects independent doctors, hospitals, and clinics that treat HMO members but aren’t directly contracted with them. The law updates payment standards to better reflect current costs using Medicare’s inflation index, replacing older fixed-rate calculations. It ensures non-contracted providers receive fairer compensation for services rendered to HMO enrollees.

Maddy summaryHB 1177 requires Maryland's State certification agency to create an outreach program, working with the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, the Military Department, and the Department of Veterans and Military Families. The program aims to increase participation by veteran-owned small businesses in Maryland's small business reserve program, which prioritizes contracts for qualifying businesses. The bill mandates annual reports to state officials detailing the outreach program's status and the number and value of contracts awarded to veteran-owned businesses. This bill amends Maryland law to implement these requirements, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1299 requires appraisers to notify buyers, sellers, or their designated point of contact if an appraisal value may be below the contract price or refinance estimate. Interested parties (like lenders or real estate agents) can then submit verified sales data or pending sale documentation within 48 hours for the appraiser to consider. The final appraisal report must include an addendum detailing the notification, submitted data, and whether the additional information changed the valuation. This applies to residential property transactions in Maryland and aims to standardize communication during the appraisal process.

Maddy summaryHB 1371 establishes the Maryland-Africa and the Caribbean Investment and Development Program within the Department of Commerce to study and promote trade and investment between Maryland's African diaspora communities and Africa/Caribbean nations. The program creates an Advisory Board (with members from diaspora businesses, community groups, academic institutions, labor, and finance) to study trade opportunities and recommend actions to the Department. It also creates the Maryland African Diaspora Investment and Development Fund, a permanent fund providing grants, low-interest loans, and business support services to diaspora-owned businesses for expansion, startup capital, and job creation - particularly focusing on Northeast Baltimore communities. The bill directly affects businesses owned by Maryland residents of African or Caribbean descent, defined as first-generation immigrants and their descendants.

Maddy summaryHB 614 requires every county board of education in Maryland to collect monthly data on energy usage in school buildings and submit it to the Interagency Commission on School Construction. The Commission must then create rules specifying exactly what data to collect and how often to report it. After gathering this data, the Commission must analyze it and provide specific recommendations to county boards for improving school energy efficiency. This bill directly affects county school districts and the state Commission, aiming to standardize energy reporting and drive efficiency improvements in public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1521 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for individuals and businesses that support at-risk youth through donations, volunteering, or hiring. It allows a 50% credit on contributions to certified organizations (max $5,000 for individuals, $100,000 for businesses), $25 per volunteer day at schools/recreation centers (max $500 annually), and $1,000 per hired at-risk youth (max $5,000 annually). The credit applies only to youth aged 12-25 facing challenges like homelessness, foster care aging out, or living in designated high-poverty areas. Taxpayers must apply for certification through the Department of Commerce, with a $10 million annual cap on total credits.

Maddy summaryHB 1410 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for employers who provide paid leave for employees donating organs. Qualified employers (those with written policies paying 100% of wages during organ donation leave) can claim a credit equal to 100% of wages paid during the first 12 weeks of leave. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to three years. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and requires employers to submit documentation proving eligibility to the Maryland Department of Health.