Del. Marvin Holmes

Maddy summaryHB 516 strengthens privacy protections for footage captured by Maryland's automated traffic enforcement systems (like speed cameras, school bus monitors, and traffic signal cameras). It requires agencies to deny public access to recorded images unless specific exceptions apply, such as for traffic enforcement investigations or court proceedings. The bill also prohibits state/local agencies from using these images for non-enforcement purposes without a warrant, subpoena, or court order, and mandates data destruction after a set period. This replaces and amends existing Maryland law to clarify privacy safeguards for automated enforcement programs.

Maddy summaryHB 681 changes Maryland law to require courts to send child support calculation details and orders to the Child Support Administration after establishing a payment order. It modifies license suspension rules by mandating written notice to parents (obligors) before suspension, including their right to request an investigation for inaccurate arrears, employment impact, or undue hardship. The bill also establishes a process for administrative appeals and requires reinstatement of licenses once payments are made, a payment agreement is met, or hardship grounds are verified. This directly affects parents who owe child support and streamlines communication between courts, child support agencies, and the Motor Vehicle Administration.

Maddy summaryHB 375 (Jay's Law) modifies Maryland's transportation code to allow bicyclists, riders of play vehicles, and unicyclists to ride on sidewalks or sidewalk areas unless prohibited by local ordinance. It requires these riders to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and users of electric personal assistive mobility devices when on sidewalks or in crosswalks. The bill directly affects cyclists, pedestrians, and local governments (which retain authority to ban sidewalk riding). Key provisions amend sections 21-1103 and 21-1202 of Maryland's Annotated Code, taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 796 increases the filing fee for residential mortgage foreclosure cases in Maryland from $300 to $600 per case. This change affects lenders or mortgage servicers filing foreclosure actions, requiring them to pay the higher fee when submitting court documents. The bill does not alter foreclosure procedures or requirements - only the fee amount is increased. It amends Maryland’s real property law (Section 7-105.1(e)) and takes effect October 1, 2025. The fee increase applies to all residential foreclosures filed after this date.

Maddy summaryHB 292 requires cooperative housing corporations, condominiums, and homeowners associations in Maryland to include specific reserve funds in their annual budgets and deposit those funds by certain deadlines each year. The bill mandates that governing bodies conduct initial reserve studies within specified timeframes (depending on the entity's establishment date and county) and update these studies every five years, including annual reviews for accuracy. It also requires entities to prepare detailed funding plans aligned with reserve study findings, ensuring funds are set aside for future major repairs and replacements of common property components. This affects all qualifying housing associations across Maryland counties, with implementation timelines staggered based on when the entity was established in Prince George’s, Montgomery, or other counties. The law aims to improve financial planning for long-term maintenance without changing membership rights or fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1193 (Maryland Housing Data Transparency Act) requires large Maryland local governments (those with at least 150,000 residents or issuing 50+ annual residential permits) to submit monthly reports to the state Department of Planning starting January 2027. These reports must include specific details for each housing development permit, such as permit numbers, approval dates, housing type (e.g., apartments, single-family), unit counts, construction costs, and processing times. The state Department of Planning must then publish this data on a public, searchable website by July 2027, organized by housing type and county. The bill aims to increase transparency around housing development by making permit data accessible to the public and policymakers.

Maddy summaryHB 1021 removes the requirement that real estate appraiser applicants in Maryland must hold a bachelor's degree or higher to obtain a license or certificate. Instead, it mandates specific experience requirements: 1,000 hours of supervised trainee work for a license or 1,500 hours for a certificate, plus completion of approved training programs. The State Commission must approve all training courses but cannot impose a degree requirement. This change directly affects aspiring real estate appraisers in Maryland by lowering educational barriers to entry.

Maddy summaryHB 494, the "Recreational Equality for Service Members Act," removes fees for active military service members and veterans at Maryland state parks, including for vehicles occupied by them. It also ensures fishing licenses in tidal waters don’t expire during active duty deployment and extends fee exemptions to include more service members under updated definitions. The bill broadens the definition of "veteran" to cover members of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, aligning with federal standards. These changes directly affect active service members, veterans, and their families by improving access to recreational opportunities. The law modifies multiple sections of Maryland’s natural resources and state government codes to implement these policy updates.

Maddy summaryHB 932 requires the Governor of Maryland to place certain personal financial interests into a "certified blind trust" or sell them within a specific timeframe to avoid conflicts of interest. It also mandates that businesses seeking state grants, contracts, or awards report any financial ties to the Governor or "restricted individuals" to the Ethics Commission. The bill further requires the Governor-elect to consult with the Ethics Commission early in their term to establish the trust or divest interests, and obligates the Governor to sign a nonparticipation agreement for interests not covered by the trust. These changes directly affect the Governor's financial dealings and businesses interacting with state government.

Maddy summaryHB 222 prohibits the sale, transfer, or use of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) for fuel gas piping systems unless it meets specific safety standards: either the LC1027 standard from the International Fuel and Gas Code or proven resistance to 36 coulombs of electrical arcing. It directly affects builders, contractors, and suppliers working on new construction or major renovations (over 50% of building square footage) of natural gas or propane piping systems in Maryland. The bill mandates compliance for these systems and imposes civil penalties up to $1,000 for violations. It takes effect October 1, 2027.