Rep. Anne Healey

Maddy summaryHB 862 requires railroad companies operating freight trains on tracks shared with passenger or commuter trains in Maryland to maintain a minimum crew of two people. This applies to most freight movement but excludes hostler service and yard operations for utility employees. Violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per incident, with railroad companies held solely responsible for employee violations. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, contingent on similar legislation passing in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 1300 updates Maryland's Commission for Women by changing how its executive director is appointed and clarifying the Commission's responsibilities. It removes the Secretary of Human Services' authority to appoint the director, stating the director will be a regular state employee (not a "special appointee") and receive standard state compensation. The bill revises the Commission's duties to focus on conducting studies, supporting programs, and advocating for policies that promote equality for women, including career development, violence prevention, and economic opportunities. These changes directly affect the Commission's operations and its executive director, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 623 creates Maryland's Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize colleges providing strong support for military-connected students, while updating the existing Purple Star Schools Program. The bill directly affects military-connected students (including service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents) and colleges, including both public/private higher education institutions and private career schools. Key provisions require colleges to appoint a military liaison to assist new military-connected students with transitions, and maintain an easily accessible website with resources on relocation, enrollment, academic planning, and support services. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the program and establish minimum criteria for colleges to earn Purple Star designation.

Maddy summaryHB 1504 requires Maryland's State Highway Administration to prioritize funding for sidewalk and bicycle pathway construction/reconstruction on highways with "complete streets" policies or Vision Zero programs. It mandates that local governments request such projects through annual funding letters, with costs typically shared 50-50 between state and local governments unless the project is in a sustainable community (100% state-funded) or addresses a public safety risk (100% state-funded). The bill specifically applies to urban highways defined as those in urban areas with high pedestrian traffic, curb/gutter systems, or within municipal boundaries. This directly affects local governments seeking infrastructure funding and the State Highway Administration managing transportation budgets.

Maddy summaryHB 1532 amends Maryland's energy laws to adjust electricity rate structures and efficiency programs. It lowers the qualifying threshold for large commercial/industrial customers to access a specific rate schedule from 100 megawatts to 25 megawatts, directly affecting major energy users like factories and data centers. The bill also changes multiyear rate plan rules to prevent utilities from passing certain costs to customers and requires refunds if actual revenue differs from forecasts. Additionally, it updates energy efficiency program cycles, greenhouse gas target calculations, and definitions for energy resources like "zero-emission credits" used in procurement.

Maddy summaryHB 1599 establishes Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program within the Department of Natural Resources. The program provides $2 million annually (starting fiscal year 2028) from the Transportation Trust Fund to fund oyster propagation and replenishment projects. These projects specifically mitigate harm to the state's oyster population caused by transportation projects at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, including dredging, pier/bridge construction, and channel maintenance. The law requires the Governor to include this funding in the annual budget bill, directly affecting oyster restoration groups and transportation project developers needing to offset environmental impacts.

Maddy summaryHB 1081 creates a new Board of Directors for Baltimore Core Transit Service (encompassing local buses, light rail, Metro Subway, and paratransit in Baltimore) within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). The Board, composed of 9 voting members (including 5 governor-appointed members with specific rider, accessibility, and labor representation requirements, plus city/county appointees), must approve major service plans and policies for Baltimore transit. The bill repeals the existing Baltimore Regional Transit Commission, proposes a constitutional amendment to allow MTA to use land acquisition powers for projects, and exempts MTA capital construction from certain state procurement rules. It directly affects MTA operations in Baltimore and establishes new governance structures for regional transit services.

Maddy summaryHB 1400 creates penalties for shellfish aquaculture permit and registration card holders who violate specific regulations. It directly affects commercial shellfish harvesters in Maryland who hold these permits. Key violations include harvesting oysters too close to closed areas, using prohibited gear, exceeding time restrictions, harvesting from leased areas without authorization, or taking oysters commercially without proper permits. For a first violation, permits may be suspended for up to 5 years; repeat violations result in permanent revocation. During suspension or revocation, individuals cannot work in any aquaculture activity, even if unrelated to shellfish.

Maddy summaryHB 972 establishes the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, a permanent fund to provide annual grants supporting agricultural fairs and education. The fund will receive lottery proceeds (before allocation to the general fund) and replace previous requirements for horse racing fund allocations. It directs specific annual grants: $825,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, $75,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, $550,000 to the Maryland State Fair Society (for youth programs like 4-H and FFA), and $50,000 to the Maryland FFA Association. These grants aim to advance agricultural fairs, education, and youth programs across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 969 requires electric vehicle charging station operators to clearly display their contact information (name, address, phone number) near charging equipment. It mandates that all electricity sold as vehicle fuel must be measured and sold in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and sets a minimum retail price determined by the Comptroller. Operators may also charge additional service fees (fixed or time-based) beyond the electricity price. The bill directly affects EV charging station businesses and their customers by standardizing measurement, pricing transparency, and fee structures for retail EV electricity sales.