Del. Lily Qi

Maddy summaryHB 1228 exempts premiums paid by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems in Maryland for their own captive insurance (insurance they set up themselves) from the state's 3% premium receipts tax. This applies to all entities within the system, including parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliated providers. The bill removes the tax obligation for these organizations on qualifying captive insurance premiums and prohibits the state from collecting past-due taxes, fees, or penalties related to this tax before the law takes effect. It directly affects nonprofit health care providers across Maryland by reducing their insurance-related costs.

Maddy summaryHB 545 creates a new role for real estate professionals in Maryland: "transaction brokers" who facilitate residential home sales or leases without representing either the buyer/seller or landlord/tenant. It allows licensed brokers, associate brokers, or salespersons to act as transaction brokers only when all parties sign a written consent form explaining they won't have traditional agency duties and may want separate representation. The State Real Estate Commission must develop a standard consent form using plain language, clear formatting, and common terms. This applies to single-family homes, small multi-unit properties, and residentially zoned land, but not short-term leases under 125 days.

Maddy summaryHB 444 prohibits Maryland state and local governments, including county sheriffs and agencies, from entering into new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It requires existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the law’s effective date (June 1, 2026). The bill specifically targets contracts, memorandums, or agreements that allow local entities to assist in federal immigration enforcement under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies and government bodies that previously collaborated with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to prevent state/local resources from being used for immigration enforcement under federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1153 prohibits health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, HMOs, and managed care organizations in Maryland from unilaterally lowering medical claim payments (downcoding) without clinical justification. The bill requires these entities to notify providers within 30 days if they intend to downcode, including specific reasons, references to clinical guidelines, and the original vs. revised codes. It bans practices like downcoding based solely on diagnosis codes, using AI without reviewing medical records, or targeting providers treating complex conditions, and mandates emergency claims be downcoded based on documented symptoms - not final diagnoses. A downcoding decision resulting in nonpayment is treated as a coverage denial, allowing providers to appeal under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 1552 establishes a new "Class L" license for alcohol sales, directly affecting existing beverage manufacturers (like breweries or wineries) who already hold a manufacturer’s license. The license allows these businesses to sell their own beer, wine, and liquor, or products from other manufacturers, for on-premises consumption at their facility, including providing free samples. It sets an annual fee of $250 and requires sales hours to match those of the underlying manufacturer’s license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 creates a state income tax credit for individuals or entities investing in Maryland-based companies developing emergent technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, or cybersecurity. To qualify, investors must contribute at least $25,000 before July 1, 2029, in exchange for equity (not debt), and the company must meet specific criteria for "emergent technology" development. The credit is funded through a dedicated Angel Investor Tax Credit Reserve Fund, which earns interest and is managed by the Department of Commerce. This policy directly affects early-stage tech investors and qualifying Maryland companies seeking capital to grow.

Maddy summaryHB 433 exempts property managers from needing a state license to collect rent, utilities, or fees from residential tenants under specific conditions. It directly affects property managers who collect these payments during lease terms and whose primary business is property management - not debt collection. The bill amends Maryland law to clarify that property managers collecting residential rent/utilities during leases are not considered "collection agencies" if this activity isn't their main business. This removes a licensing requirement for qualifying property managers without changing broader collection agency rules. The exemption takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 496 would allow Maryland voters unaffiliated with any political party to choose either the "unaffiliated voters" primary ballot or any political party's primary ballot in a primary election. It specifically prevents these voters from automatically becoming affiliated with a party simply by voting in that party's primary. The bill amends election law to clarify this choice and ensures unaffiliated voters cannot cast more than one primary ballot. This directly affects unaffiliated voters in Maryland's primary elections, changing how they participate without altering their party registration status. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 935 requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals, directly affecting women eligible for prerelease programs at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. The bill mandates a separate facility meeting specific criteria: at least 3 acres, not within 1 mile of other prisons, and designed to house 1.25 times the 2024 prerelease-eligible population. It requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services (including gender-responsive programming) and report progress to legislative committees by a specified deadline. The facility must operate by June 1, 2023, with the Department of General Services directing procurement for its construction.

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.