Del. Todd Morgan

Maddy summaryHB 1437 creates a Maryland income tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums paid by residents aged 45 or older. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 100% of eligible premiums (capped at $250 per year per insured person), covering the taxpayer, spouse, or certain family members. The credit is restricted to policies purchased after December 31, 2026, and cannot be claimed for individuals already covered before January 1, 2027, or for multiple taxpayers claiming the same person. The bill also requires annual reports to the legislature on credit usage and its impact on state medical assistance savings.

Maddy summaryHB 1358 requires Maryland's Department of Labor to allocate funds from the Hospital Employees Retraining Fund to local workforce development boards when hospitals close, downsize, or merge. It also mandates that these local boards provide grants to employers through the Apprenticeship Career Training in Our Neighborhoods Program. Additionally, the bill requires the Department to fund local workforce boards for direct worker services under the State's quick response program when job losses occur due to business reductions. This bill directly affects local workforce development boards, hospitals facing operational changes, and workers impacted by layoffs or closures.

Maddy summaryHB 1295 establishes new rules for fully autonomous vehicles (Level 4/5 systems) operating on Maryland highways without human drivers. It requires these vehicles to achieve a "minimal risk condition" (like safely stopping) if their automated system fails, and mandates compliance with Maryland's vehicle laws unless exempted by regulations. The bill also explicitly states that data collected by these vehicles (e.g., location, sensor data) falls under the state's Online Data Privacy Act, requiring protection similar to other personal information. This directly affects manufacturers, operators, and passengers of fully autonomous vehicles operating in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1507 allows out-of-state physicians licensed to practice medicine to issue medical exemption certifications for vehicles with tinted windows darker than Maryland's standard 35% light transmittance requirement. It removes the previous 2-year expiration limit for these exemptions, making them valid indefinitely for permanent medical conditions (like photosensitivity disorders). This directly affects Maryland residents requiring dark window tint for medical reasons, who previously needed in-state physician certifications with time limits. The bill does not change the 35% light transmittance rule itself, only the process for obtaining medical exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that Maryland vehicle emissions inspections can only result in a failure for three specific reasons: missing required emissions equipment, misfueling, or failing to meet emissions standards. It restricts inspectors from citing other grounds for failure during biennial exhaust emissions tests or emissions equipment/misfueling inspections. The law applies to all vehicles subject to Maryland's emissions testing program, effective October 1, 2026. This change standardizes inspection outcomes by limiting failure determinations to these defined technical issues.

Maddy summaryMaryland's HB 1388 establishes a 5-year pilot program for rotational oyster harvesting in four designated Chesapeake Bay areas: the Lower Choptank River, Lower Main Stem Chesapeake Bay, Herring Bay, and Lower Chester. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to open one different oyster bed in these areas each oyster season (2026-2029), conduct baseline surveys before opening, and monitor areas after closing. Harvesters must replace oyster shells where they were taken to support habitat recovery. The program directly affects commercial oyster harvesters and the state agency managing Chesapeake Bay resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1525 would require Maryland to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by January 1, 2027, ending the state's participation in a regional program that sets carbon emission limits for power plants. The bill eliminates a surcharge utilities used to recover costs for energy efficiency programs (EmPOWER), directly affecting how these programs are funded. It also limits the amount of electricity that can be purchased or credited under community solar programs. Maryland could rejoin RGGI if all other PJM Interconnection states become full members or if the state becomes a net electricity exporter.

Maddy summaryHB 1535 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to develop a mobile application for anglers holding licenses for nontidal waters (under § 4-604) or Chesapeake Bay/coastal fishing (under § 4-745) to submit required reports. It directly affects all licensed recreational fishermen who currently must submit reports under existing regulations. The bill mandates the app be created by July 1, 2026, but does not change what reports are required or who must submit them - only the submission method. The app will allow license holders to report via mobile device instead of traditional methods.

Maddy summaryHB 1023 prohibits the sale, distribution, manufacturing, or offering for sale of lab-grown meat (defined as meat cultured from animal cells outside the animal) for human consumption within Maryland. It directly affects businesses producing or selling lab-grown meat products in the state. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation and authorizes the Secretary to seize or condemn prohibited products. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1212 creates a workgroup to examine challenges and opportunities in Maryland's seafood marketing sector. The workgroup, convened by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will include two Senate members, two House members, agency representatives, seafood industry stakeholders, and other necessary stakeholders. The workgroup must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2027, after a one-year, one-month term.