Del. Lorig Charkoudian

Maddy summaryHB 340 authorizes Maryland's Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies (specifically publicly traded entities deriving ≥50% revenue from coal/oil/gas with >$1 billion market cap) for climate-related harms caused by deceptive or unlawful actions. It creates a Climate Change Restitution Fund to pay for programs addressing climate impacts like flooding, heat islands, drought, and disease spread, funded by settlements/judgments from such lawsuits. The fund is nonlapsing and managed by the Department of Budget and Management, with interest earnings credited back to it. An Advisory Council advises on fund distribution to the Governor, Attorney General, and legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 398, the AACE Act, requires Maryland electric companies to submit plans for installing energy storage devices and construct them as approved. It creates "zero-emission credits" for nuclear facilities and establishes two new renewable energy programs: the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program for large solar projects and the Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program. The bill also changes how certain fees from data centers are distributed, directs alternative compliance fees into a new escrow account instead of the Strategic Energy Fund, and modifies transmission system analysis requirements for offshore wind projects. These provisions directly affect electric utilities, nuclear operators, renewable energy developers, and data center operators in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 451 requires owners of private construction projects and contractors to include specific payment terms in contracts. It mandates that owners pay contractors within 60 days of receiving a valid invoice after work completion, and if payment is withheld, they must provide written notice explaining the reason within 60 days. Unpaid amounts accrue 9% annual interest starting on the 60th day. Subcontractors must also be paid within 60 days of invoice or 7 days after the contractor receives payment from the owner. This law directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and property owners involved in Maryland construction projects.

Maddy summaryHB 183 amends Maryland's income tax law by reducing the residency requirement from six to three months. It changes the definition of "resident" to include individuals who maintain a place of abode in Maryland for more than three months during a taxable year, regardless of domicile. This affects non-domiciled individuals who spend significant time in Maryland but do not live there permanently. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 257 establishes a Food Forests and Foraging Program within Maryland's Department of Natural Resources. It requires individuals harvesting plants for personal use in designated state-owned food forests to obtain a permit, with a fee that can be waived for those demonstrating financial need. The bill creates a permanent "Food Forests and Foraging Fund" funded by permit fees, state appropriations, and interest earnings, which can only be used to maintain food forests and cover related administrative costs. This program directly affects residents who forage in state lands and the Department of Natural Resources, which will manage permits, fees, and the fund.

Maddy summaryHB 167 increases Maryland's vehicle excise tax rate from 6% to 6.75% of a vehicle's fair market value, effective July 1, 2025. It maintains a $100 minimum tax for all vehicles and applies to new title registrations and vehicles registered interstate without a title. The bill amends sections 13-809(b) and (c) of Maryland's Transportation Article. This change affects all Maryland residents who register vehicles, including those transferring from other states.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local governments in Maryland, such as Baltimore City or county councils, to offer property tax credits to three specific groups. First, it allows tax credits for public school employees who use their primary residence as their home. Second, it permits credits for owners of apartment or condominium buildings who make health and safety improvements after July 1, 2024. Third, it enables credits for buildings used for local housing programs that assist homeless individuals or families starting on or after July 1, 2024. While the state law sets the framework, each local government must pass its own specific rules to determine the exact amount, duration, and additional requirements for these credits. The changes are designed to take effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Melanie Nicholle Diaz Fire Safety Act, establishes new fire safety requirements for residential rental high-rise buildings in Maryland to improve occupant protection. It mandates the installation of specific smoke detectors in public corridors of these buildings starting July 1, 2024, and requires owners to post notices if their buildings lack complete automatic sprinkler systems. The legislation also ensures that tenants who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing receive appropriate notification appliances without having to pay for them or provide documentation. Additionally, the bill creates a workgroup to develop best practices for pre-1974 high-rise apartments and allows local governments to offer property tax credits for buildings that make qualifying fire safety improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Qualified Resident Enrollment Program to help individuals in Maryland who currently lack health insurance access enroll in qualified plans. It defines "qualified residents" as people living in the state who are not incarcerated, regardless of their immigration status, and who do not qualify for existing federal or state assistance programs like Medicaid or Medicare. The program allows the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to manage enrollment, potentially with help from a third-party contractor, and requires a specific federal waiver approval before it can begin. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated fund to finance the program's operations and administration, ensuring it has the necessary resources to function.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill redefines consent in sexual crime laws to mean a clear and voluntary agreement, explicitly stating that past relationships, clothing choices, or submission due to fear do not constitute consent. It removes the requirement for force or threats to prove a crime, instead making the lack of consent a standalone element that can be shown through words or actions. The law also clarifies that consent can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be documented in writing. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Maryland Judiciary report annual statistics on sexual crime charges and convictions, broken down by county and demographic factors, until 2029.