Del. Mary Lehman

Maddy summaryHB 1088 imposes a $13 fee per short ton on coal transporters in Maryland, with revenue funding the new Fossil Fuel Mitigation Fund. The fee applies to the first carrier transporting coal in the state, excluding coal solely for farm use. The permanent fund supports programs reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel impacts, administered by the Department or Maryland Clean Energy Center. It directly affects coal transportation companies and targets activities benefiting overburdened communities defined by environmental health indicators.

Maddy summaryHB 780 allows Maryland's State Highway Administration to lower speed limits by 5 mph on designated urban highways without conducting an engineering and traffic study. It directly affects drivers and pedestrians on urban highways meeting specific criteria (e.g., located in municipal boundaries, near public facilities with high pedestrian traffic, or with curbs/gutters). The bill modifies existing law to exempt these speed reductions from the standard engineering review requirement. This change takes effect October 1, 2025, applying to urban highways under the State Highway Administration's jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows terminally ill Maryland residents with decision-making capacity to request medication to end their lives through a structured process. It requires two physician consultations (including a consulting physician confirming the diagnosis), a mental health assessment, and written requests spaced at least 15 days apart. Pharmacists may dispense the medication only to qualifying patients, and the law clarifies that providers acting under these rules won’t violate assisted suicide laws. Death from self-administered medication will be recorded as natural causes for insurance and legal purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 927 requires that fiscal notes for bills reducing health and community support services funded by the Maryland Department of Health must include three specific elements: an estimate of the number of people who will lose services (by location), an assessment of how the loss affects health and well-being, and an evaluation of the financial impact on state health and social services costs. This applies to any bill that cuts funding for such services, ensuring these impacts are documented in the state's financial analysis. The bill amends existing law to add these requirements to the fiscal note process, which is used by the General Assembly to evaluate budget proposals. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1542 amends Maryland's Public Ethics Law to update reporting requirements for regulated lobbyists. It changes the deadlines for filing lobbying activity reports to February 15, March 15, May 31, and November 30 annually, covering specific time periods. The bill also expands the required report details, including new categories for expenses like meals, gifts, and professional research related to influencing government actions. These changes directly affect entities and individuals registered as lobbyists under Maryland law who must submit these reports to the State Ethics Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 692 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to study whether video toll facilities in Maryland can reliably capture only the rear license plate of vehicles instead of both front and rear plates. The study must identify necessary system upgrades and assess potential impacts, such as accuracy or enforcement effects, of this change. The Authority must complete the study and report findings to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2025. This bill does not implement the change but evaluates its feasibility for future consideration. The study directly affects toll operations managed by the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Maddy summaryHB 555 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program eligibility rules. It requires children to reside in Maryland, be under 13 (or under 19 with a verified disability), and live in a household meeting income and need requirements. Crucially, the bill prohibits the State Department of Education from considering a parent, guardian, or child's immigration status when determining eligibility. The bill also establishes a temporary subsidy process allowing families to receive immediate assistance while completing full applications within 15 days.

Maddy summaryHB 661 grants collective bargaining rights to specific faculty at Maryland's public higher education institutions, including full-time, part-time, and adjunct employees with academic responsibilities (such as teachers, researchers, and department heads) at the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. It establishes separate bargaining units for faculty at each institution but allows these units to voluntarily combine into a single bargaining unit. The bill excludes officers, supervisors, confidential employees, and student employees from coverage. This legislation amends Maryland’s labor laws to formally define "faculty" and create a framework for collective bargaining negotiations over wages, hours, and working conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 639 requires sports venue owners (for professional events) and university governing bodies (for college events) to allow attendees to bring and use reusable beverage containers during sporting events. The bill defines a "reusable beverage container" as one made of aluminum or stainless steel, holding up to 24 ounces, and designed for multiple uses. Venue operators may require containers to be empty upon entry but cannot ban reusable containers entirely. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, directly affecting attendees at Maryland sports venues and the operators of those venues.

Maddy summaryHB 529 requires health insurers, HMOs, and nonprofit health plans in Maryland to post their prescription drug coverage lists (formularies) clearly on their websites without requiring login or account access. Insurers must display drug tiering, coverage restrictions, and update changes within 30 days of implementation. The bill also mandates that these insurers cover certain generic drugs and biosimilars with specific cost-sharing terms (e.g., copays or coinsurance). This directly affects all health plan providers operating in Maryland and makes drug coverage information more transparent for enrollees.