Maddy summaryHB 686 amends Maryland law to improve the process for certifying victims of qualifying crimes who apply for U Nonimmigrant Status (a federal visa for crime victims). It creates a rebuttable presumption that victims or their representatives (like parents, guardians, or next friends) are helpful to law enforcement if they haven’t refused to provide information, shortens the certification timeline to 30 days (7 days if the victim faces immigration removal), and requires certifying entities to develop language access protocols for non-English speakers. The bill directly affects victims of certain crimes and their families seeking this visa, ensuring certifications are more timely and accessible. These changes aim to streamline the state’s role in supporting federal visa applications without altering the visa program itself.
Del. Jared Solomon
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 981 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to evaluate how public schools use artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The bill mandates a survey sent to all school districts by August 2025, asking about AI policies for students (including age, disability, and language needs), current AI tools used for learning, infrastructure readiness, and support needs. The Department of Information Technology must assist by reviewing available AI systems for educational use, analyzing their cost-benefit and pedagogical value, and assessing potential statewide implementation. The evaluation will result in an interim report by January 2026 and a final report by December 2026, directly affecting all Maryland public school systems.
Maddy summaryHB 1089 creates a new Privacy Protection and Enforcement Unit within Maryland's Attorney General's office to safeguard consumer data privacy and digital rights. It requires certain data brokers to register annually with the Comptroller and imposes a gross income tax on their earnings, with the tax revenue funding this new unit. The bill establishes a dedicated special fund for the unit's operations, separate from general state funds, to enforce privacy laws and address digital security risks. This legislation directly affects data brokers who collect and sell personal information, adding registration requirements and a new tax obligation.
Maddy summaryHB 1092 redefines "recycling" to exclude specific chemical processes that convert plastic waste into fuel or feedstock, such as pyrolysis, gasification, and enzymatic breakdown. It prohibits new construction of facilities in Maryland that use these methods to convert plastic into fuel or feedstock, effective October 1, 2025. The bill directly affects companies planning to build such facilities and alters how recycling is legally defined in Maryland law. Existing facilities are not impacted, as the prohibition applies only to new construction.
Maddy summaryHB 1014, the "Fair Share for Maryland Act of 2025," makes significant changes to Maryland's tax code affecting residents, businesses, and estates. It adjusts estate tax calculations to maintain Maryland's tax rate despite potential federal changes, imposes a business transportation fee on corporations and pass-through entities, and expands eligibility for the earned income tax credit by lowering income thresholds for individuals without qualifying children. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments for tax credit phase-out amounts, limits net operating loss deductions, and modifies child tax credit eligibility. These changes directly impact Maryland taxpayers, businesses, and families relying on state tax credits.
Maddy summaryHB 958, the Maryland Railway Safety Act of 2025, establishes new safety requirements for railroad operations in Maryland. It mandates a minimum two-person crew for freight trains (excluding hostler/utility service), prohibits blocking grade crossings for more than five minutes, and limits train length to 8,500 feet on main or branch lines. The bill also requires railroads to report hazardous material transportation data to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry (for emergency agencies only, not the public) and mandates installation of wayside detectors on tracks designated Class IV or higher by federal standards. Violations carry civil fines up to $25,000 per incident.
Maddy summaryHB 973, the Better Buildings Act of 2025, requires new buildings and major renovations (costing 50%+ of a structure's replacement value) in Maryland to meet all space heating, water heating, and laundry demands without fossil fuels. It mandates energy conservation standards and requires buildings to be "electric- and solar-ready," meaning they must have sufficient electrical capacity, wiring, and physical space for future installation of electric appliances and solar panels. The bill amends Maryland law to adopt these standards through the Department of Labor, aligning with but allowing stricter energy efficiency requirements than the International Energy Conservation Code. This directly affects developers, builders, and property owners constructing or significantly renovating buildings in Maryland.
Maddy summaryHB 611, the "Informed Enrollment Act," requires Maryland colleges admitting first-time undergraduates to prominently display a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard on their public websites by July 1, 2026. It mandates that institutions explain the Scorecard’s data on cost of attendance, graduation rates, salary outcomes, and debt directly on their websites and during student recruitment. Colleges must also share this information through orientation events, recruitment materials, and regularly with prospective students, new students, advisors, and career counselors. If the federal Scorecard ends, the Maryland Higher Education Commission must provide comparable data using state sources like the Maryland Longitudinal Data System.
Maddy summaryHB 387 imposes an excise tax on firearms dealers' gross receipts from firearm sales within Maryland and to Maryland residents. The tax revenue will fund three existing state programs: the Coordinated Community Supports Partnership Fund (Education), the Maryland Trauma Physician Services Fund (Health), and the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund (Public Safety). The bill creates new tax provisions under "Title 7.7" in the Tax-General Article to collect and distribute these funds, replacing previous language in multiple code sections. This directly affects firearms dealers through the new tax obligation and directs funding to community safety and health programs. The policy change is a concrete tax mechanism for reallocating firearm sales revenue to specific public safety initiatives.
Maddy summaryHB 519 requires all Maryland hospitals to provide free parking for inpatients during their hospital stay and for outpatients during scheduled medical appointments. Hospitals must also display clear signage at all public entrances and parking areas informing patients about this free parking benefit. The law applies to every hospital facility owned, operated, or leased by a hospital and takes effect on October 1, 2025. This policy directly affects hospitals statewide and all patients receiving care at those facilities.