Del. Marvin Holmes

Maddy summaryHB 210 requires Maryland counties and municipalities with automated traffic enforcement programs (like speed cameras or red-light cameras) to submit quarterly reports to the Vision Zero coordinator. These reports must include specific details for each citation issued to out-of-state vehicles, such as license plate numbers, payment status, and whether the citation is past due. The bill, set to take effect October 1, 2026, creates a standardized reporting process to track enforcement against non-resident drivers without changing traffic laws or enforcement practices.

Maddy summaryHB 666, the Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026, prohibits research and testing facilities in Maryland from using certain dogs and cats for research or testing and bans specific procedures on them. The bill requires facilities to use alternative test methods - such as computer modeling or cell-based tests - when they are scientifically equivalent and approved by federal agencies, reducing reliance on traditional animal testing. It also extends adoption requirements for dogs and cats used in research to testing facilities, ensuring animals are made available for adoption when no longer needed. The bill sets clear standards: animal testing must be limited to cases where no alternative exists, with the minimum number of animals used and humane treatment prioritized.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 146 requires landlords of properties with on-site wastewater systems (like septic systems) to ensure the system is inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before each new tenant moves in, starting July 1, 2028. It also mandates that real estate sales contracts for such properties include a condition requiring the buyer to confirm the system has been inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before closing. The law allows inspections and pumping services to remain valid for three years and requires property owners to notify authorities if a system fails. Exemptions include transfers between family members, refinancing, or initial construction. The bill sets deadlines for the state to adopt regulations (by 2027) and license service providers (by 2028).

Maddy summaryHB 938 authorizes Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis to use crosswalk monitoring systems that record drivers failing to yield to pedestrians. If a driver is caught on camera not stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, they may receive a citation and face a civil penalty. The bill specifies that fines for uncontested violations go directly to the local jurisdiction (county or city), while contested cases send fines to the District Court. It also prohibits contractors from being paid based on the number of citations issued. This bill directly affects drivers in those two jurisdictions who violate crosswalk yielding laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1529 establishes a Baltimore County Local Commission on Common Ownership Communities to oversee condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations (HOAs) within the county. The bill requires these communities to register annually with the commission, which must provide services and assistance while collecting authorized fees. It defines key terms like "common ownership community" (including condos, co-ops, and HOAs) and "dispute" to clarify the commission’s role in resolving conflicts involving governing bodies. The law applies exclusively to Baltimore County and creates a structured framework for community governance support.

Maddy summaryHB 502 requires board members and officers of residential condominiums and homeowners associations in Maryland to complete a mandatory training program within 90 days of taking office or starting a new term. The training covers Maryland’s condo and homeowners association laws, governance responsibilities, financial management, dispute resolution, and legal requirements. Existing members had until October 1, 2026, to comply, with certificates valid for three years and requiring renewal. Non-compliance may result in removal from office or invalidated votes, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 402 establishes a Common Ownership Community Ombudsman Unit within Maryland's Attorney General's Office to handle complaints from residents of homeowners associations (HOAs), condominiums, and cooperative housing communities about final adverse decisions made by their governing bodies. The unit will monitor relevant laws, provide members with information and referrals to dispute resolution services, and either make determinations about whether decisions violate laws or refer complaints to local county commissions. The bill also requires all common ownership communities to file governing documents with the Department of Housing and Community Development and mandates the department to create a public database of these documents. Annual reports on the unit's activities, including complaint volumes and actions taken, must be submitted to the department and the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryHB 386 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA and Maryland's budget process, mandating that the Governor withhold funds if WMATA fails to submit required reports (like safety assessments and financial data) or if it doesn't develop a rail signaling workforce transition plan by July 2028. The bill also requires WMATA to provide detailed annual reports on safety, ridership, finances, and capital investments to trigger full funding. If WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, or misses the workforce plan deadline, the Governor must withhold the funds until these conditions are met.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 designates October 1 as "Purple Lights Night" in Maryland, requiring the Governor to annually proclaim this day. The bill honors individuals in the state who are victims or survivors of domestic violence and expresses support for eliminating domestic violence. It adds this commemorative day to Maryland law through a procedural change in the Annotated Code (Section 7-417), without creating new programs or funding. The bill is purely ceremonial, focusing on symbolic recognition rather than policy implementation. It takes effect July 1, 2026.