Rep. Andre Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 969 modifies Maryland's property tax valuation rules for rural broadband service providers. It requires the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to use a specific method when valuing their operating property, directly affecting rural broadband companies. The key mechanism mandates that when using the income approach, only actual operating income is considered, and when using the replacement cost approach, government subsidies or tax credits must be subtracted from the valuation. This change aims to adjust how these providers' property is taxed, potentially reducing their tax burden. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, applying to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 979 modifies Maryland's Self-Service Storage Act to strengthen notice requirements before storage facilities sell renters' stored items to cover unpaid fees. It requires operators to provide detailed written notices (via hand delivery, verified mail, or email with prior consent) at least 10 days before a sale, including specific charges due, a 14-day payment window, and sale details. Renters who haven't paid fees for over 60 days are directly affected, as operators must now follow these strict notification steps before selling their property. The bill also mandates 3 days of public advertising for sales through local newspapers, email, or online platforms. These changes aim to ensure renters receive clear, timely information before their belongings are sold.

Maddy summaryHB 421 amends Maryland's 9-1-1 Trust Fund rules to allow using fund money for costs related to the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline that overlap with 9-1-1 operations (like shared software interfaces and joint training). Previously, the fund could not cover *any* costs associated with the 9-8-8 hotline, but this bill removes that blanket prohibition. The change specifically permits funding for "costs related to the operation of the 9-8-8 hotline that may be shared with 9-1-1 activities," while still prohibiting funds from covering costs that *solely* support the hotline. This affects how the 9-1-1 Trust Fund is allocated and used by state and local agencies managing emergency communications systems.

Maddy summaryHB 1220 defines "transportation protection agreements" as contracts primarily coordinating preparation and transportation of human remains, hydrolyzed remains, or soil remains. It explicitly excludes these agreements from being classified as "preneed burial contracts" under Maryland's Cemetery Act or "pre-need contracts" under the Morticians and Funeral Directors Act. The bill clarifies that such agreements are not insurance and are exempt from insurance regulations. This affects funeral service providers and consumers who use these transportation-focused agreements instead of full pre-need burial services. The law removes regulatory overlap by ensuring these agreements fall outside existing contract and insurance oversight frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 960, the "Ratepayer Freedom Act," prohibits investor-owned electric, gas, and combined gas/electric utilities in Maryland from recovering certain costs through customer rates. It bans cost recovery for lobbying or political activities (including trade association dues, policy research, and advertising to attract new customers), executive travel, entertainment, and investor relations expenses - unless specific public interest criteria are met. Utilities must now report all costs tied to these prohibited activities in annual filings to the Public Service Commission, including itemized expenses, employee roles, and hours spent. This directly affects major utility companies like Baltimore Gas and Electric or Potomac Edison, aiming to prevent ratepayers from funding activities unrelated to core service delivery. The bill focuses on transparency and cost accountability, requiring detailed disclosures without altering utility service standards.

Maddy summaryHB 763 requires Maryland public and qualifying nonpublic schools to include age-appropriate material about human and sex trafficking awareness and prevention in health curricula for students in grades 6 through 8. This amendment to existing education law builds upon current sexual abuse and assault prevention programs by adding specific content about trafficking. The law mandates that this material be taught by trained instructors and integrated into standard health education. The policy change applies to all schools participating in the Nonpublic Schools Textbook and Technology Grants Program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1252 prohibits appointed members of Maryland county school boards from holding leadership roles like president, vice president, chair, or vice chair. It requires current appointed members in such positions to step down by August 1, 2025. If a school board violates this rule, the State Department of Education must notify them and can suspend administrative funding until corrected, with potential fines of up to $2,500 for individuals who continue violating the prohibition. The law applies specifically to members appointed by officials (not elected to fill vacancies) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 982, the "Gun Theft Felony Act of 2025," reclassifies the theft of any firearm as a felony regardless of the firearm's value. Currently, firearm theft could be charged as a misdemeanor if the value was below $1,500, but this bill makes all firearm thefts automatically felonies. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Law to require that anyone convicted of stealing a firearm must restore the firearm to the owner or pay its value, with penalties including up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $25,000 based on the firearm’s value. This change directly affects individuals who steal firearms, increasing penalties for this specific offense.

Maddy summaryHB 1150 prohibits intentionally sharing personal identifying information or images of individuals under age 25 on public internet sites or forums without their permission and with the intent to intimidate or harm. It directly affects anyone who posts such details online about people under 25, including names, addresses, phone numbers, biometric data, school addresses, or financial information. The bill defines "disseminate" broadly to cover public online sharing and sets misdemeanor penalties of up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine for violations. It explicitly states the law won't override free speech protections under U.S. or Maryland constitutions.

Maddy summaryHB 885 requires that investigation records related to police misconduct complaints found "unfounded" (allegations not factually supported) or "exonerated" (officer followed law/policy) be removed from an officer’s personnel record three years after the finding by an administrative committee or trial board. This directly affects police officers whose complaints are dismissed, as it limits the duration those records remain in their official files. The bill amends Maryland law to mandate this removal, ensuring such records do not permanently impact an officer’s personnel history. It does not change how complaints are investigated or processed, only the retention period for dismissed cases. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.