Del. Andrew Pruski

Maddy summaryHB 217 amends Maryland's workers' compensation law to establish a presumption that certain emergency responders develop hypertension as an occupational disease. It directly affects paid/volunteer firefighters, fire fighting instructors, rescue squad members, and advanced life support unit members (including State Fire Marshal personnel) who meet specific medical criteria. The bill deems hypertension compensable if the responder has blood pressure readings exceeding 140/90 (per NFPA 1582 standards) and has used prescribed hypertension medication for at least 90 consecutive days. This changes the process by removing the need to prove direct work causation for these specific cases, streamlining access to workers' compensation benefits for qualifying responders.

Maddy summaryHB 1002 legalizes the sale and possession of certain consumer fireworks in Maryland, defined as small, publicly safe fireworks meeting federal safety standards (like small firecrackers and Roman candles). It establishes a new sales tax rate for these fireworks, directing the revenue to specific state funds. The bill also allows counties to opt out of enforcing the new regulations, giving local governments flexibility. These changes update existing firework laws to create a regulated market while adding tax revenue streams for designated programs.

Maddy summaryHB 488 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to collect and publish detailed discipline data for all public schools, broken down by student characteristics including race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, socioeconomic status, and English language proficiency. The data must be available as an electronic spreadsheet on the Department's website at the state, school system, and individual school levels. The bill also mandates annual reporting on schools with high suspension rates for specific student groups to identify potential disparities in discipline. This policy increases transparency around school discipline practices without changing disciplinary procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 53 establishes a 10-member Task Force on Education Funding and Student Population Growth to study how delays in student enrollment data affect school funding and how growing student populations connect to funding levels. The Task Force, appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, includes education officials, school administrators, and community representatives. It must analyze these issues and submit recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 15, 2025, before the bill expires on June 30, 2026. This procedural bill creates a study group but does not change existing funding formulas or directly affect schools.

Maddy summaryHB 461 exempts the sale of cut flowers from Maryland's sales and use tax, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects flower sellers (such as florists and growers) who will no longer charge tax on cut flowers sold to customers. The bill amends tax law to explicitly state that "the sales and use tax does not apply to the sale of cut flowers," while maintaining that uncut or living flowers, sod, and nursery products remain taxable. The exemption applies only to cut flowers, not other floral products like living plants or arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 410 increases the salary range for the chief inspector position on Anne Arundel County's Board of License Commissioners. The bill amends Maryland law to adjust the chief inspector's salary from the current non-represented pay schedule [NR-05] NR-15 to a higher range within the county's classified salary system. This change directly affects the chief inspector role, which oversees alcohol beverage licensing enforcement in Anne Arundel County. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter other positions on the board (like the $60,000 attorney role or administrative staff salaries).

Maddy summaryHB 451 requires owners of private construction projects and contractors to include specific payment terms in contracts. It mandates that owners pay contractors within 60 days of receiving a valid invoice after work completion, and if payment is withheld, they must provide written notice explaining the reason within 60 days. Unpaid amounts accrue 9% annual interest starting on the 60th day. Subcontractors must also be paid within 60 days of invoice or 7 days after the contractor receives payment from the owner. This law directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and property owners involved in Maryland construction projects.

Maddy summaryHB 247 modifies Maryland's driver's license requirements for unaccompanied homeless youths under 19 who hold a learner's permit. It reduces the waiting period before they can take driver skills examinations from 9 months to 3 months, while maintaining other requirements like completing a 30-hour driver education course and 60 hours of supervised driving (including 10 nighttime hours). The bill specifically applies to youths determined homeless by a Maryland school liaison, Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program, or McKinney-Vento program. This change aims to provide greater access to driver's licenses for a vulnerable population without altering the core training and supervision standards.

Maddy summaryHB 167 increases Maryland's vehicle excise tax rate from 6% to 6.75% of a vehicle's fair market value, effective July 1, 2025. It maintains a $100 minimum tax for all vehicles and applies to new title registrations and vehicles registered interstate without a title. The bill amends sections 13-809(b) and (c) of Maryland's Transportation Article. This change affects all Maryland residents who register vehicles, including those transferring from other states.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for Maryland county mental health advisory committees to better include voices from the military and veteran communities. It achieves this by adding a new category that allows the appointment of individuals with experience in mental health care for veterans or those currently serving in the military. The change ensures that these specific groups are represented alongside existing categories such as patients, family members, and medical professionals. This adjustment aims to broaden the committee's perspective on mental health services without altering the overall structure or voting powers of the advisory body.