Del. Vaughn Stewart

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 220 (Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025) removes waste-to-energy and refuse-derived fuel from Maryland's definition of "Tier 1 renewable sources" under the state's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard. This change directly affects energy providers and utilities that previously counted these sources toward meeting renewable energy targets. The bill amends Section 7-701(s) of Maryland's Public Utilities law by deleting specific references to waste-to-energy and refuse-derived fuel from the list of eligible Tier 1 sources. Consequently, energy generated from these sources can no longer be used to comply with the state's renewable energy requirements starting January 1, 2025. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

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 896 prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to prospective tenants who use income-based housing subsidies (such as Section 8 vouchers) based on the tenant's income, credit score, or credit history. The bill directly affects landlords and tenants in Maryland, ensuring that rental applications using such subsidies cannot be denied for these specific reasons. Key provisions include an exception allowing landlords who receive funding requiring income qualification (e.g., for income-restricted housing) to collect financial information as a condition of that funding. Violations would be enforced by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights as discriminatory housing practices. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

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 817 prohibits Maryland landlords from using algorithmic tools that rely on nonpublic data about competitors' rents (such as actual prices, occupancy rates, or lease terms) to set tenant rent amounts. This directly affects residential landlords who currently use such tools for pricing decisions. The law exempts aggregated, anonymous market reports from trade associations and tools used to set rents under affordable housing programs. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 741 redefines "hunt" to include fox chasing and creates a Deer Management Assistance Program within Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources to help farmers manage deer on private land. The bill requires the Department of Budget and Management to add a full-time employee by July 1, 2026, to administer this program. It mandates a phased transition to nonlead ammunition for all game hunting, requiring full compliance by July 1, 2029, with earlier deadlines for specific game types (e.g., pen-raised birds by 2026, upland birds by 2027). Unarmed fox chasers must hold a hunting license but are exempt from certain hunting regulations, while all hunters must use nonlead ammunition for game species by 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 524 adds a new member to Maryland's State Board of Education, requiring one of the 14 regular board positions to be filled by an early childhood development professional with extensive experience in child care operations and curriculum. This member must be appointed by the Governor (with Senate consent) from a list of three qualified candidates provided by the Office of Child Care Advisory Council. The bill directly affects the State Board of Education, which sets K-12 education policy, and early childhood professionals who meet the specified qualifications. It does not change voting rights but ensures the board includes expertise in early childhood development.