Rep. Dylan Behler

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maryland's legislative scholarship programs to exempt certain applicants from competitive examination requirements and to allow scholarship funds to be used for real estate appraisal training. Specifically, it removes the exam requirement for students who have completed at least one year at an eligible institution, those who graduated high school five years prior, applicants to approved private career colleges, and community college students. Additionally, it authorizes senatorial and Delegate scholarships to cover expenses for completing the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria program. The changes apply to both new scholarship applications and the existing scholarship programs, affecting current and future recipients who meet the specified eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 431 updates Maryland's rules for recording subdivision plats (maps showing how land is divided into lots). It increases the fee for printing a set of plats from $5 to $25 per page, except for plats related to state highway projects. The bill also sets new requirements for plats, including standardized formatting, coordinate markers for surveying, and clear north arrows to ensure accuracy. These changes directly affect land developers, surveyors, and property owners who need to record subdivision maps with county clerks.

Maddy summaryHB 877 requires Maryland colleges and universities to submit annual reports to the Maryland Higher Education Commission by October 1st, starting in 2027, detailing student institutional debt. The reports must include total student enrollment broken down by demographic groups (like race, age, and residency), total debt amounts by type (tuition, fees, room/board), collection status (e.g., good standing vs. past due), debt charged off as uncollectible, and details on payment plans or debt collection efforts. Institutions face potential civil penalties for failing to submit reports or providing inaccurate data, with the Commission required to follow specific notice and hearing procedures before imposing penalties. This bill aims to increase transparency about student debt practices across Maryland's higher education institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 requires new or renewed environmental permits for facilities in Maryland neighborhoods identified as "at-risk" (based on high pollution levels or proximity to pollution sources like power plants or landfills) to include a "burden report" detailing existing environmental health issues. The state Department of the Environment must deny permits if approval would worsen pollution stressors in these areas, using Maryland’s Environmental Justice Tool to define "at-risk" census tracts. It applies specifically to air quality permits for construction and water discharge permits for facilities like power plants, waste sites, or mining operations. The bill mandates public participation in permit reviews for these facilities and requires the Department to document its assessment for judicial review.

Maddy summaryHB 1424 allows homeowners associations (HOAs) in Anne Arundel County to manage, operate, and maintain community sewerage systems as "controlling authorities" under specific conditions. To qualify, the system must have been operational before January 1, 2026, and the HOA must charge mandatory sewer fees, maintain a capital reserve fund for future replacement, and secure approval from the county and Maryland Environmental Service. If an HOA fails to meet maintenance obligations or correct deficiencies, Maryland Environmental Service takes over operations and charges costs back to the HOA or lot owners. The bill directly affects HOAs and residents in Anne Arundel County with shared sewer systems, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 212 creates a new process for new Maryland residents driving vehicles registered in another state. It requires these residents to either properly register their vehicle with Maryland within 60 days of moving or provide proof the vehicle isn't required to be registered in Maryland (like proof of ownership in another state). If they fail to comply within 60 days, a $7 daily civil fine begins until resolved, and after 120 days, local prosecutors may pursue civil action to immobilize the vehicle. The bill directly affects new Maryland residents who drive out-of-state registered vehicles, replacing automatic penalties with a warning and compliance period.

Maddy summaryHB 832, the "ICE Breaker Act," prohibits Maryland state law enforcement agencies from hiring individuals who were hired as sworn officers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on or after January 20, 2025. It applies specifically to agencies defined in the bill, including the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, and others listed in Section 3-535 of the Maryland Annotated Code. The law only affects new hires after its effective date (October 1, 2026), with no retroactive application to current employees hired before that date. The bill creates a clear hiring restriction for these state agencies regarding individuals with recent ICE employment.

Maddy summaryHB 1492 establishes the right to strike for specific public school and library employees in Maryland, including certificated and noncertificated staff like substitute teachers, nurses, and JROTC instructors in certain counties. The bill prohibits public school and library employers from taking disciplinary action against employees who participate in or support strikes. It repeals the Public Employee Relations Board’s authority to deny or revoke a union’s certification as an exclusive bargaining representative under certain circumstances. These changes apply to defined groups of employees under Maryland’s Education Article, ensuring their collective bargaining rights are protected from employer retaliation.

Maddy summaryHB 630 prohibits private entities from operating immigration detention facilities in buildings not originally designed and constructed for housing or detaining people. It specifically bans converting existing structures (like warehouses or offices) into detention centers. The bill also prevents state/local governments from entering agreements, providing funding, or approving zoning for such facilities operated by private entities. This directly affects private operators seeking to establish immigration detention centers and local governments considering facility partnerships.

Maddy summaryHB 1003 establishes a 5-year pilot program in Anne Arundel County Public Schools to prepare students for careers as election officials. The bill requires the Anne Arundel County Board of Education and the State Board of Elections (with input from the State Department of Education) to develop this career and technical education program. It directly affects high school students in Anne Arundel County by offering training pathways into election administration roles. The program will run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, after which it automatically ends without further legislative action.