Del. Jen Terrasa

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill establishes a minimum annual fee of $2.30 per ton for generators of coal combustion by-products, while exempting those that beneficially reuse the material or use it for coal mine reclamation. It creates a new Statewide Coal Combustion By-Products Coordinating Committee composed of state officials, technical experts, community representatives, and local government members to monitor sites and share information. The Department of the Environment must adopt regulations by a specified date to align with federal guidelines and must reduce fees in future years if collected revenue exceeds program operating costs.

Maddy summaryHB 858 establishes Maryland's Mattress Stewardship Program to reduce landfill waste and promote recycling. It prohibits disposing of mattresses in landfills or incinerators after specific dates (with limited exceptions), requires mattress producers to submit recycling plans to the Department of the Environment, and adds a fee to all mattresses sold in the state to fund the program. Retailers must provide consumers with recycling information after implementation, and the program creates an advisory board to oversee recycling efforts. The bill directly affects mattress producers, retailers, and consumers through new fees and disposal rules, aiming to divert mattresses from landfills - addressing a problem where only 5% of U.S. mattresses are recycled annually.

Maddy summaryHB 911 allows landlords to charge a security deposit of up to two months' rent if a tenant operates a family child care home (caring for up to eight children) on the property. It prohibits landlords from unreasonably restricting or banning such homes in single- or multifamily rentals (excluding owner-occupied small units or condo/co-op rules), requires tenants to notify landlords 30 days in advance, and mandates providing insurance certificates naming the landlord as an additional insured. Landlords are also shielded from civil liability for issues related to the tenant’s child care operations. The bill applies to residential leases starting October 1, 2025, and does not override local zoning laws.

Maddy summaryHB 338 prohibits the disposal of yard waste collected on state buildings or highways in single-use plastic containers. Instead, it requires that such waste be collected in reusable containers or compostable paper bags. The bill mandates all yard waste from these locations must be disposed of at an organics recycling facility, a natural wood waste recycling facility, or a state facility producing mulch or soil amendments. This applies to state employees and contractors handling yard waste collection on state property.

Maddy summaryHB 153 lowers the minimum age for voter registration in Maryland from 16 to 15 years and 9 months. It requires election officials to send registered minors (ages 15-17) a notification card containing information about when they will become eligible to vote (at age 18). Additionally, it mandates that election directors send eligible minors who become 18 a notice about upcoming primary elections, available voting methods, and early voting locations. The bill directly affects minors registering to vote and election officials responsible for voter communications. It amends Maryland’s Election Law sections 3-102 and 3-301, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 920 requires Maryland colleges and universities to submit annual reports to the Maryland Higher Education Commission detailing student debt data. The reports must include total institutional debt (tuition, fees, room/board), broken down by student demographics (race, age, residency, etc.), debt collection status, and debt resolution methods like payment plans or charge-offs. Institutions face civil penalties for failing to submit reports or providing inaccurate information, with the Commission required to follow specific notice and hearing procedures before imposing penalties. The Commission must then summarize these reports for the Maryland General Assembly by December 1 each year, starting in 2027. This bill focuses on transparency around student debt without altering debt collection practices or financial aid policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program creating regional financial counseling centers across Maryland. The centers will provide free, one-on-one assistance to residents on saving money, reducing debt, accessing banking services, and improving credit scores. All services must be offered in English and Spanish, with additional languages as required. Administered by the Comptroller’s office, the program runs from October 2025 through September 2028, with funding secured via state budget appropriations for fiscal years 2027-2028.

Maddy summaryHB 1257 requires landlords renting five or more residential units to fully disclose all mandatory fees (like pet or parking fees) when advertising rental rates and providing written information to prospective tenants. Landlords must clearly state the fee's purpose, amount, type (mandatory vs. optional), and payment schedule in advance, and cannot charge any mandatory fee that wasn’t disclosed. The Department of Housing and Community Development will assist tenants with understanding the law and can impose penalties of up to $2,000 for repeat violations. This law excludes utility charges and minor lease violations from disclosure requirements, directly affecting landlords and prospective tenants in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 339 requires landlords of non-historic residential rental apartments in Maryland to provide air-conditioning starting June 1, 2025 for new units and October 1, 2025 for units with qualifying HVAC system upgrades. Landlords must maintain temperatures within specific ranges during June-September: 90% of ASHRAE Standard 55 thresholds normally, and 80% thresholds if daily highs exceed 92.3°F. The law applies only to apartment buildings (excluding National Register historic properties) and distinguishes between landlord-controlled and tenant-controlled AC systems. It does not affect buildings with permits issued before the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1420 requires each county and Baltimore City Register of Wills to develop a method for people without government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport) to prove their identity as heirs or beneficiaries when claiming inheritance. This directly affects individuals who lack standard identification but need to access estate assets through probate. The bill mandates that Registers work with the Maryland Registers of Wills Association to create these verification methods. The law takes effect October 1, 2025. (Note: The bill title mentions "noncitizens," but the actual text focuses on identity verification regardless of citizenship status.)