Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill allows taxpayers to subtract up to $1,000 from their state income tax when donating food or cash specifically designated for food purchases to qualified charitable organizations. The law defines eligible recipients as food banks, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, religious groups, and other registered charities that provide free food to people in need. To claim this benefit, taxpayers must list the recipient organization's name and provide proof of the donation's value on their income tax return. The Comptroller will create regulations to establish registration criteria for these organizations, and the bill includes a requirement for a report by January 1, 2029, on whether donations have increased since the law took effect. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and automatically expires on June 30, 2029.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 930 modifies Maryland’s income tax code to decouple from federal changes affecting education expenses. It prohibits the Governor from joining a federal tax credit program for elementary/secondary education scholarships and adjusts how employer contributions to education accounts (like Maryland’s Prepaid College Trust or College Investment Plans) are treated. Specifically, it adds tax on unused distributions from these accounts if not used for qualified education expenses, while excluding contributions and qualified distributions from taxable income. This directly affects Maryland residents using these education savings accounts and ensures state tax rules differ from federal law.
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 662 amends Maryland election law to allow public school students serving as election judges to simultaneously earn service-learning hours for graduation and receive standard election judge compensation. The bill specifically updates Section 10-205(d) to confirm students can qualify for both benefits - $250 per day (or $350 for returning judges) plus service hours under COMAR 13A.03.02.05 - without choosing between them. This change directly affects public school students in Maryland who serve in election roles, effective October 1, 2026. The law does not alter compensation rates but clarifies eligibility for dual benefits.
Maddy summaryHB 585 exempts rental cars from Maryland's vehicle excise tax, directly affecting rental car companies operating in the state. The bill adds "RENTAL VEHICLE" to the list of vehicles already exempt from this tax under Maryland law. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, removing a tax burden specifically on vehicles used for short-term rentals.
Maddy summaryHB 400 converts Maryland's Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit into a direct grant program administered by the Department of Commerce. It affects biotechnology companies (defined as firms primarily researching, developing, or commercializing biological technologies) by replacing tax credits with cash grants paid within a specified timeframe. The bill also allows recipients to subtract grant amounts from their Maryland income tax liability for the year received. This changes the program's structure from a tax benefit to a grant disbursement, moving it from the Tax Article to the Economic Development Article in Maryland law.
Maddy summaryHB 1519 amends multiple prior state debt authorizations to update specific grant terms. It changes grantee names, alters permitted uses of funds (such as allowing real property as a matching fund for a parking garage project), and extends termination dates for certain projects (e.g., changing a grant's deadline from June 2023 to June 2032). These changes apply to grants originally authorized in laws from 2012 through 2023, including funding for the University of Maryland's Health and Human Sciences Building and a Hyattsville parking garage project. The bill adjusts existing agreements without creating new funding.
Maddy summaryHB 930 establishes Maryland's Public Health Abortion Grant Program to improve access to abortion care by redirecting excess funds from health insurance coverage. It requires insurance carriers in Maryland to transfer 90% of unused funds from their abortion coverage accounts (after covering patient costs) into a new special fund. This fund will support abortion clinical services, particularly where federal funding is restricted, benefiting individuals seeking abortion care in Maryland. The program mandates annual reporting by insurers and transfers existing excess funds starting in 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1424, the "Protect Our Federal Workers Act," expands state financial assistance to Maryland residents affected by federal government disruptions beyond just shutdowns. It renames the "Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund" to the "Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund" and broadens eligibility to include current federal employees not paid during shutdowns *and* Maryland residents recently terminated due to federal office closures, relocations, or mass layoffs. The bill allows funds from the state’s Catastrophic Event Account to cover costs for these individuals, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor. This changes existing law to provide loans for both ongoing shutdowns and post-layoff financial hardship from federal facility changes.
Maddy summaryHB 400 prohibits Maryland state agencies and instrumentalities from using state funds for magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation systems within the state. The bill specifically blocks appropriations for building or operating such systems but allows spending on salaries for staff reviewing permits or approvals for maglev projects. This directly affects state budgeting decisions and any entities seeking state financial support for maglev infrastructure. The law takes effect June 1, 2025, and does not prevent private development of maglev systems.