Maddy summaryHB 897 (the "Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026") requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (>69,000 volts) in Maryland to join regional transmission organizations. It mandates new application details for certain utility projects, creates a Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration, and redirects funds from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential electricity customers. The bill also requires studies on siting transmission lines and battery storage systems within existing rights-of-way and sets deadlines for the Public Service Commission to review project certificates. These provisions directly affect electric utilities, the Public Service Commission, and residential electricity customers through cost adjustments.
Del. Karen Toles
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1 limits how investor-owned electric, gas, and combined gas/electric utility companies in Maryland can pass certain costs to customers through their rates. It prohibits rate recovery for most employee bonuses (except for pre-2025 contracts or union-covered employees) and caps supervisor compensation above 110% of the Public Service Commission Chair’s annual salary. The bill also requires utility boards to adopt written policies limiting spending on entertainment, office renovations, transportation (including private jets), and performance incentives, with policies submitted to the Public Service Commission for review. These rules apply specifically to investor-owned utility companies and aim to prevent ratepayers from funding certain executive or operational costs.
Maddy summaryHB 920 requires developers, builders, brokers, and real estate agents to enter the final sale price of new homes into a multiple listing service (MLS) or similar database within 30 days of the sale. This applies to all new home transactions in Maryland and aims to make final sale prices publicly accessible through real estate databases used for market evaluations and appraisals. The bill defines "multiple listing service" as a database utilized by real estate professionals. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 350, the "Voting Rights Act of 2026," applies to local elections in Maryland counties and cities, protecting the voting rights of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups. It prohibits election methods that weaken the voting power of these groups, preventing them from electing preferred candidates or influencing election outcomes. Courts will determine violations by examining past election patterns and federal voting rights standards, rather than requiring proof of discriminatory intent. If a violation is found, courts can order remedies like changing election systems, but must respect existing statewide election practices.
Maddy summaryHB 636 modifies Maryland's ethics rules to allow members of the General Assembly, candidates for the Assembly, and newly elected members to earn income from state or local government jobs under specific exemptions. It creates four categories of allowable income: educational instruction, merit-system positions, human services roles, or logical career transitions from prior employment. The Joint Ethics Committee must approve these exemptions, while certain existing relationships or post-term employment meeting education/licensure requirements remain excluded. This bill directly affects legislators' ability to hold outside public-sector jobs without violating current ethics prohibitions.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state income tax credit for Maryland residents aged 77 and older to help reduce their tax burden. Eligible taxpayers must have federal adjusted gross income below $175,000 for individuals or $250,000 for couples filing jointly. The credit amount increases with age, ranging from 25% of the state income tax for those turning 77 to a full 100% credit for those aged 80 and older. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and prevents taxpayers from claiming both this credit and another existing senior tax credit in the same year.
Maddy summaryHB 935 requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals, directly affecting women eligible for prerelease programs at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. The bill mandates a separate facility meeting specific criteria: at least 3 acres, not within 1 mile of other prisons, and designed to house 1.25 times the 2024 prerelease-eligible population. It requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services (including gender-responsive programming) and report progress to legislative committees by a specified deadline. The facility must operate by June 1, 2023, with the Department of General Services directing procurement for its construction.
Maddy summaryHB 488 establishes the geographic boundaries for Maryland's eight congressional districts for the 2026 elections. It specifies exact county and election district portions, using census tract data to define district lines where precincts are split, based on boundaries as they existed on January 13, 2026. This bill directly affects voters in Maryland's congressional districts by determining which communities are grouped together for electing U.S. Representatives. It replaces previous election law sections (8-702 through 8-709) and clarifies that certain districting rules apply only to state legislative districts, not congressional ones.
Maddy summaryHB 692, the "Porch Piracy Act," criminalizes the theft of mail and packages in Maryland. It creates new penalties for stealing mail or packages under specific circumstances, including prohibiting possession of certain items (like "arrow keys," likely a drafting error for key fobs) used in theft. The bill directly affects individuals who steal mail or packages, adding these acts to the state’s criminal code under new sections 3-905 and 3-905.1 of the Criminal Law Article. It also clarifies that both District and Circuit Courts can handle these cases, updating jurisdiction rules for such thefts.
Maddy summaryHB 73 requires Maryland public schools to implement a water safety and swimming course for students in kindergarten through grade 8. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, county school boards must offer this course based on curriculum standards developed by the State Board of Education by July 2027. The bill mandates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities to fully participate and allows counties to partner with local parks departments for facility access. It also permits counties to award elective physical education credit for course completion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with implementation deadlines set for 2027.