Del. Jen Terrasa

Maddy summaryHB 541 establishes a Nonprofit Organizations Navigator within Maryland's Department of Commerce to directly assist nonprofits in accessing state grant programs. The navigator provides technical help with grant applications, resolves bureaucratic delays, shares federal/state grant opportunities, and represents nonprofits on the Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council. This bill amends the council's structure to include the navigator as a nonvoting member and updates membership rules for the council.

Maddy summaryHB 664 clarifies the disciplinary actions the Maryland State Board of Nursing can take against applicants or licensed direct-entry midwives who violate specific standards. It updates existing law to explicitly list 28 grounds for discipline, including fraud (e.g., falsifying license applications), criminal convictions, failure to report child abuse, practicing while impaired, violating health record requirements, and exceeding scope of practice. The bill does not create new penalties but makes the existing disciplinary process clearer for midwives and the Board. It directly affects midwives seeking licensure or currently holding a license in Maryland, with changes taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 643 expands Maryland's Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program to include veterinarians and veterinary technicians. It allows these professionals to qualify for student loan repayment if they work as state employees for at least 5 years or volunteer at qualified animal shelters for 100+ hours yearly over 3 years. Qualifying shelters must be owned by local governments, animal control contractors, or organizations that received Maryland's spay/neuter grants. The bill updates existing eligibility criteria without changing the program's core structure or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 932 requires the Governor of Maryland to place certain personal financial interests into a "certified blind trust" or sell them within a specific timeframe to avoid conflicts of interest. It also mandates that businesses seeking state grants, contracts, or awards report any financial ties to the Governor or "restricted individuals" to the Ethics Commission. The bill further requires the Governor-elect to consult with the Ethics Commission early in their term to establish the trust or divest interests, and obligates the Governor to sign a nonparticipation agreement for interests not covered by the trust. These changes directly affect the Governor's financial dealings and businesses interacting with state government.

Maddy summaryHB 222 prohibits the sale, transfer, or use of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) for fuel gas piping systems unless it meets specific safety standards: either the LC1027 standard from the International Fuel and Gas Code or proven resistance to 36 coulombs of electrical arcing. It directly affects builders, contractors, and suppliers working on new construction or major renovations (over 50% of building square footage) of natural gas or propane piping systems in Maryland. The bill mandates compliance for these systems and imposes civil penalties up to $1,000 for violations. It takes effect October 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 795 requires public service employers in Maryland (such as state/local government offices, public schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations) to certify employee full-time status for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. It establishes specific procedures for completing the federal loan forgiveness form and clarifies that employers must share data directly with the U.S. Department of Education. The bill also mandates the Student Loan Ombudsman to develop and distribute awareness materials about the program to borrowers, higher education institutions, and employers. These changes aim to streamline certification processes and increase participation in the federal loan forgiveness program.

Maddy summaryHB 337 requires the Comptroller to distribute $500,000 annually from Maryland's Racetrax lottery game proceeds to Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and the City of Laurel. This funding is tied to Laurel Race Course's operations and must be used for community services like health care, addiction support, counseling, and transportation for residents near the racetrack or backstretch workers. Payments stop if Laurel Race Course ceases live racing or if backstretch workers no longer live on the property. Anne Arundel County must allocate its share to nonprofits serving backstretch workers, including those providing Spanish-language services.

Maddy summaryHB 513 limits rooster ownership in Maryland to no more than 5 roosters per acre or 25 total on a single property, starting January 1, 2027, unless authorized by the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects property owners keeping roosters, excluding commercial poultry farms, schools, animal shelters, and 4-H members who provide written authorization with specific details (like breed and location). Violations may result in misdemeanor fines up to $1,000, with enforcement handled by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with local animal control. The bill aims to address concerns linked to cockfighting and Avian Flu spread, as noted in its preamble.

Maddy summaryHB 1424, the "Protect Our Federal Workers Act," expands state financial assistance to Maryland residents affected by federal government disruptions beyond just shutdowns. It renames the "Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund" to the "Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund" and broadens eligibility to include current federal employees not paid during shutdowns *and* Maryland residents recently terminated due to federal office closures, relocations, or mass layoffs. The bill allows funds from the state’s Catastrophic Event Account to cover costs for these individuals, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor. This changes existing law to provide loans for both ongoing shutdowns and post-layoff financial hardship from federal facility changes.

Maddy summaryHB 347 updates Maryland's requirements for recording land documents like deeds and mortgages. It mandates that all recorded instruments must use 10-point black type on white paper with specific margins (3-inch top, 1-inch sides), replacing older formatting rules. The bill also clarifies that "deeds of trust" only secure debt (not voluntary grants) and streamlines electronic recordation processes for county clerks. These changes directly affect real estate professionals, property owners, and attorneys who file property documents in Maryland. The bill modifies multiple sections of Maryland's real property code to standardize and modernize land record procedures.