Rep. Andrew Pruski

Maddy summaryHB 621 changes the qualifications for legal counsel appointed by Maryland county election boards. It requires that board counsel must be a registered voter in their specific county (previously required to be a registered voter in the entire state). This bill directly affects all 24 Maryland county election boards when hiring their legal counsel. The key change eliminates the statewide voter registration requirement, making it a local county residency requirement instead. The bill amends Sections 2-201(a)(1) and 2-205(a) of Maryland's Election Law.

Maddy summaryHB 637 ("The Vax Act") requires Maryland's Secretary of Health to issue science-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services using guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics. It expands pharmacists' authority to administer flu, COVID-19, and emergency vaccines to patients aged 3 and older (previously limited to 18+ for some vaccines) after completing specific training. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these recommended services without cost-sharing for patients. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and Maryland residents seeking preventive care, particularly children and adults needing routine vaccinations.

Maddy summaryHB 720 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the current cutoff of June 30, 2030, for awarding new scholarships and eliminating restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before that date. This change directly affects eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents (spouses, children) who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts and meet Maryland residency and enrollment requirements at participating institutions. The bill maintains all existing provisions, including the 50% tuition coverage limit, 2.5 GPA requirement, and 5-year full-time renewal period. It ensures the scholarship program continues indefinitely without time-based restrictions on new awards or renewals.

Maddy summaryHB 339 increases the salary range for the chief inspector position on Anne Arundel County's Board of License Commissioners. It updates the pay grade from "NR-05 to NR-15" to a new specified range within the county's non-represented salary schedule. This change directly affects the county's Board of License Commissioners by adjusting compensation for its chief inspector, who oversees alcohol beverage licensing compliance. The bill modifies existing Maryland code sections related to county licensing board staffing without altering broader alcohol regulations. The adjustment takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 523 (Real Property - Residential Foreclosures - Commencement Restrictions) delays foreclosure actions on residential properties by requiring a 90-day waiting period after a default or notice of intent to foreclose, whichever is later. It directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure and mortgage lenders by adding this waiting period, with limited exceptions for fraud, no payments, property destruction, bankruptcy, or vacant properties. Key provisions include mandatory affidavits verifying default details and notice accuracy, a $450 filing fee, and requirements for loss mitigation documentation. The bill modifies Maryland's foreclosure law to provide additional time for homeowners to seek alternatives before a foreclosure case can proceed.

Maddy summaryHB 653 increases Maryland's tax deduction for retirement income earned by retired public safety employees, including correctional officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. It phases in a gradual increase in the deductible amount from $15,000 to $20,000 over five years, starting with $15,000 for 2025-2026 tax years and rising by $1,000 annually until reaching $20,000 by 2029-2030. This deduction reduces taxable income for eligible retirees aged 55+ who receive retirement income tied to their public safety service. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, as part of Maryland's income tax code.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1312 defines "specie" as gold or silver coins (U.S. or foreign) or certified 99% pure gold/silver bars, and establishes it as legal tender for voluntary use. It allows private parties to pay debts using specie if both agree, and permits state/local governments to accept specie for taxes/fees if they choose, but prohibits anyone from being forced to accept it. The bill requires the state financial commissioner to issue regulations and submit annual economic impact reports starting in 2027. This directly affects private individuals entering mutual agreements, state/local governments deciding whether to accept precious metals, and financial institutions managing such transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 1111 allows Class 3 wineries to purchase bulk wine directly from Class 4 limited wineries and permits Class 4 wineries to sell bulk wine to Class 3 wineries. This changes existing Maryland law, which previously prohibited these specific bulk wine transactions between the two license types. The bill directly affects wineries holding Class 3 or Class 4 licenses by expanding their supply chain options for bulk wine. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 669 prohibits political subdivisions (like counties or cities) from issuing use and occupancy permits to developers or contractors completing road work on State highways with over 25,000 average daily vehicles until the work is approved by both the State Highway Administration and the political subdivision. The bill amends Maryland law to require that all third-party road improvements on high-traffic state roads meet the satisfaction of both the State Highway Administration and the local political subdivision before permits are granted. Key mechanisms include requiring performance bonds for projects over $100,000, funded partly by private money, or located outside the applicant’s property. This directly affects developers and contractors performing road work on major state highways, ensuring completed improvements meet safety and quality standards before public use.