Del. Jim Hinebaugh

Maddy summaryHB 1347 (Bri’s Law) creates a 7-member task force to study Maryland’s post-incarceration support systems. The task force, including state legislators, corrections officials, and prosecutors, will examine all release types from prison and current programs designed to prevent reoffending. It must submit recommendations to the Governor and legislature by July 2027, after which the task force automatically expires on June 30, 2028. This bill does not change existing services but mandates a review of current postrelease requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1189 requires property and casualty insurance companies in Maryland to redirect $5 million annually from their existing tax payments to the State Disaster Recovery Fund, starting July 1, 2026. This policy change applies directly to insurers who pay the tax and benefits the Disaster Recovery Fund, which supports disaster response and recovery efforts. The bill amends Maryland law to mandate this specific annual transfer without creating new taxes or altering existing insurance regulations. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, as specified in the legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 modifies Maryland's building energy standards by adding specific exemptions for certain covered buildings. It exempts facilities housing "permanent sensitive compartmented information facilities" (like military or government sites) and excludes energy use related to sterilization and emergency backup power in healthcare, laboratories, and similar facilities from emissions targets. The bill updates existing requirements that mandate 20% emissions reductions by 2030 and net-zero by 2040 for commercial buildings over 35,000 sq. ft. These changes clarify which building types and energy uses are not subject to the energy use intensity targets under Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 1187 prohibits Maryland's Public Service Commission from approving rate increases for water or sewage disposal companies if a county or municipality has started or plans to start eminent domain proceedings against them. The bill also requires fact finders in such eminent domain cases to consider two specific factors: necessary system upgrades for safe service and potential bill reductions for customers if the company is acquired by a local government. This directly affects private water/sewage companies and local governments pursuing takeover efforts, while setting clear procedural rules for rate approvals and eminent domain cases. The law amends existing public utilities and real property codes to implement these changes, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1190 exempts new off-grid electricity providers (those starting operations on or after October 1, 2026) from most public utility regulations, including permits and rules under Maryland’s Public Utilities Article. However, these providers must still comply with specific construction requirements under Sections 7-207 and 7-207.1 when building generating facilities. The exemption ends if a provider later connects to the state grid, crosses state lines, or locates within/along roads or rights-of-way. This bill directly affects new off-grid energy operators, not existing providers or grid-connected utilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1193 requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to collect an 8% surcharge on hotel rentals at Savage Highlands State Park. The revenue from this surcharge will be sent to the Comptroller for distribution to Garrett County. Specifically, 6% of the surcharge funds must be used by Garrett County for promoting the county, while the remaining 2% is directed to the county’s general fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects park renters and Garrett County’s budget allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 964, the Secure the Vote Act of 2026, repeals existing requirements for ballot drop boxes (including those at Baltimore City's centralized booking facility) and modifies election rules. It adds new requirements: voters must provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register (per Section 3-201.1), obtain photo ID for in-person voting (Section 2-111), and restricts absentee voting to those unable to vote in person due to specific circumstances. The bill also mandates signature verification for absentee ballots, establishes new audit procedures for voter registration lists, and prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote in municipal elections. These changes apply to all Maryland voters and election officials statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 970 renames Maryland's "Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard" to the "Clean Energy Portfolio Standard" and changes related terms like "renewable energy credits" to "clean energy credits." The bill explicitly adds electricity generated from certain nuclear power plants as an eligible Tier 2 source for meeting the standard, expanding the types of energy that can count toward compliance. This change directly affects utilities and energy providers required to meet the state's clean energy targets, applying retroactively to prior compliance periods. The bill focuses on updating terminology and eligibility criteria within existing energy policy frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 454, the "SAVE Our Elections Act of 2026," requires Maryland to join the federal SAVE Program (Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement) to verify U.S. citizenship for voter registration applicants. It directly affects individuals applying to register to vote in Maryland, mandating that the State Board of Elections use the federal SAVE system to confirm citizenship during the registration process. Key provisions include requiring the State Administrator to enroll in SAVE, establishing a verification process for applicants, and creating an appeal mechanism for voters who dispute citizenship determinations. The bill replaces current self-declaration requirements with federal verification, amending election law sections governing voter registration eligibility and processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland election laws to require voters presenting their names at the polls to prove their identity before receiving a regular ballot. To do this, voters must show a valid government-issued photo ID or, if they lack one, provide a non-government photo ID along with a document like a utility bill or bank statement that shows their name and address. If a voter cannot provide the required identification, the election judge must refer them to vote using a provisional ballot instead. The legislation also clarifies rules for assistance, allowing voters to bring written materials into the polling place and specifying who may help those with disabilities or language barriers.