Rep. Terry Baker

Maddy summaryHB 1200 exempts registered vehicle owners undergoing active cancer treatment from liability for electronic or video tolls if they provide medical documentation confirming they were between scheduled cancer treatments at the time of the toll transaction. The bill amends Maryland's vehicle toll laws to add this exemption, requiring owners to submit documentation from a licensed healthcare provider by the date specified on the toll notice. This directly affects cancer patients who operate their registered vehicles during treatment, relieving them from paying tolls and potential penalties for those specific transactions. The exemption applies only to tolls incurred during the period of ongoing cancer treatment, as verified by medical records.

Maddy summaryHB 1210 requires transmission line companies to send certified mail notices to landowners whose property abuts or is adjacent to proposed construction sites at least 30 days before public hearings. The notice must explain landowners' rights to intervene in the approval process and how to file intervention requests. Failure to provide this notice invalidates the public hearing or voids the application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity, allowing the company to reapply. This bill directly affects landowners near proposed transmission line routes in Maryland, with the law taking effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1127 expands Maryland's homestead property tax credit to include "Washington County Additional Residences." This means homeowners in Washington County who own a second home (like a vacation house or additional residence) in the county can now qualify for the credit, which previously only applied to primary residences. The bill defines a "Washington County Additional Residence" as a house and its lot in Washington County, including condominium units or cooperative apartments occupied by the owner. This change modifies specific sections of Maryland's property tax code to add these properties to the list of eligible residences for the credit.

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 1044 prohibits the release of defendants after conviction but before sentencing or final appeals for specific crimes resulting in the death of a child under 14. It applies directly to individuals convicted of either a violent crime (as defined in Maryland’s Criminal Law §14-101) or a violation of child neglect law (§3-602.1) that caused the death of a victim under age 14. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure Article to bar courts from granting pre-sentencing or pre-appeal release in these cases. The law would take effect October 1, 2026.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 885 prohibits knowingly causing another person to ingest a drug that induces abortion when the person knows the other is pregnant and acts without consent, through fraud or coercion, or by force. It directly affects individuals who attempt to compel another person to take such medication under these conditions. The law creates a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison for violations. The bill, titled the "Women’s Freedom From Coercion Act," takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 857 modifies Maryland's income tax rules to reduce the tax deduction for military retirement income for retirees under age 55. Currently, those under 55 receive a $12,500 deduction, but this bill would lower it to $20,000 (effectively increasing their taxable income by $7,500 annually). The change applies to military retirement income received during the taxable year, directly affecting Maryland residents who are military retirees under 55. The bill amends Section 10-207(q) of Maryland's tax code and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 830 requires local election boards to verify both a voter's signature and a witness signature on absentee ballot return envelopes before counting the ballot, with exceptions for active-duty military members overseas and their spouses/dependents living overseas. This directly affects all voters who request absentee ballots in Maryland, ensuring ballots meet specific signature requirements for processing. The bill mandates that election boards compare voter signatures against registration records using technology to be implemented within one year of the law's effective date. It amends existing election law to add these verification steps and clarify when witness signatures are not required.