Del. Jason Buckel

Maddy summaryHB 1410 exempts first-time homebuyers in Maryland from the state transfer tax when purchasing improved residential property to occupy as their primary residence. It directly affects individuals who have never owned residential property in Maryland that served as their principal residence, requiring them (or their agent) to submit a signed statement confirming eligibility. The bill repeals existing tax exemption language and replaces it with new provisions in Section 13-207(d), clarifying that the tax exemption applies to qualifying transactions and specifying the required sworn statements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1154 modifies Maryland's home detention rules for incarcerated individuals. It requires the Commissioner of Correction (or their designee) to remove someone from home detention if they violate program conditions (newly specified in subsection B). The bill also expands the Commissioner's authority to remove individuals "at any time and for any reason" (newly added in subsection A), replacing the prior standard. This change directly affects people in Maryland's home detention program and takes effect October 1, 2025. The bill makes removal procedures more flexible for program administrators.

Maddy summaryHB 1202 redefines "drug trafficking crime" in Maryland law to explicitly include misdemeanors involving cannabis distribution (under sections 5-602(b)(1) and 5-603(b)). This change directly affects individuals convicted of misdemeanor cannabis distribution, as it now subjects them to the same firearm restrictions as felony drug traffickers. The bill adds that possessing a firearm "during and in relation to" such a misdemeanor (or felony) is a separate felony, carrying mandatory minimum sentences of 5 years for a first offense and 10 years for repeat offenses, with no parole eligibility. These provisions take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 952 expands the list of offenses requiring juveniles to be placed on Maryland's sex offender registry, adding specific crimes like certain sexual assaults, child pornography violations, and offenses against minors. It also allows school administrators (local superintendents or their designees) to access the registry for school safety purposes. Juveniles on the registry must update their information and provide a digital photo every three months until they turn 18 or when juvenile court jurisdiction ends, whichever occurs later. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies to juveniles adjudicated delinquent for qualifying offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Ratepayer Protection Act of 2025, prevents Maryland state and local governments from suing businesses for financial or economic damages caused by global warming or climate change. It achieves this by adding a new legal provision that explicitly bars government agencies from filing such lawsuits, while clarifying that the law does not stop governments from enforcing existing environmental, health, or zoning regulations. The legislation defines "business" broadly to include various entities and financial institutions, and it takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1276 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for eligible long-term care insurance premiums paid by residents for themselves or certain family members (spouse, parent, child, or stepchild) who are at least 45 years old. The credit equals 100% of premiums paid, but is capped at $250 per insured person per year for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. It cannot be claimed for individuals who had long-term care coverage before January 1, 2026, or for whom the credit was previously claimed. The credit is non-refundable, cannot be carried forward, and requires annual reporting on usage and impacts to the state's Medical Assistance Program.

Maddy summaryHB 1321 creates a refundable state income tax credit for Maryland small businesses (defined as entities with 50 or fewer employees, including those with no employees) to offset costs for specific cybersecurity measures. It allows a credit of up to $1,000 for an initial cybersecurity risk assessment and implementation, or up to $500 annually for recurring measures like antivirus software, multi-factor authentication, and data encryption. If the credit exceeds the business’s income tax liability, the excess is refundable. Businesses must submit proof of qualifying costs with their tax return to claim the credit, which applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1218 creates a 19-member Task Force to study Maryland’s electricity needs through 2040 and recommend policies to reduce reliance on out-of-state power. The Task Force, including state officials, utility representatives (like BGE and Constellation), environmental groups, and ratepayer advocates, must analyze electricity forecasts, costs, and options to ensure Maryland imports no more than 25% of its power by 2030-2040. The bill also imposes a temporary 12-month pause (July 2025-May 2026) on the Public Service Commission approving new transmission line projects. This pause gives the Task Force time to develop recommendations on energy sources, grid upgrades, and cost impacts for Maryland ratepayers. The Task Force must submit its findings to the Governor and General Assembly by December 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 authorizes the construction, permitting, and operation of natural gas power plants in Maryland until the state meets 50% of its energy needs from renewable sources (including nuclear energy). The bill requires the Maryland Energy Administration to collaborate with natural gas facility owners to reduce their energy output at the same rate that renewable energy production increases once the 50% target is reached. This directly affects natural gas facility operators and the Maryland Energy Administration, mandating a structured transition toward renewable energy. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, without specifying further details about the transition timeline or enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1015 requires all Maryland public middle schools to begin instruction no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and public high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It directly affects every public middle, high, and charter school in Maryland, mandating later start times unless a waiver is granted. County boards and charter schools must also implement public awareness campaigns about sleep deprivation and the benefits of later start times. Waivers for earlier start times are permitted only for compelling reasons, such as natural disasters or severe weather, as determined by the State Board of Education.