Del. Kevin Hornberger

Maddy summaryHB 498, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs by repealing the Maryland Economic Development Commission and creating a new Strategic Closing Fund within the Department of Commerce. It updates eligibility rules for existing programs like the Build Our Future Grant Pilot and Child Care Capital Support Fund, expands financial assistance for projects in RISE zone areas, and modifies tax credit calculations for businesses (including film production and biotechnology). The bill affects businesses seeking economic development incentives, local governments managing RISE zones, and state agencies administering these programs. Key changes include altering how certain tax credits are calculated, waiving filing fees for businesses in designated zones, and extending or terminating specific tax credit programs. The act streamlines oversight by consolidating programs under the new Strategic Closing Fund structure.

Maddy summaryHB 1299 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to study whether elk can be sustainably reintroduced in Western Maryland, specifically in Allegany and Garrett counties. The study must examine both the environment's ability to support elk (biological carrying capacity) and community impacts (cultural carrying capacity). The department must submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by October 1, 2026. This bill does not authorize reintroduction but mandates a report to inform future decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1415 amends Maryland's building energy performance standards to explicitly exempt agricultural buildings from compliance requirements. The bill modifies the definition of "covered building" (currently requiring commercial buildings over 35,000 sq ft to meet emissions targets) to exclude agricultural buildings, which are defined as structures used for cultivating or producing agricultural crops, including greenhouses. This change ensures agricultural facilities - such as barns, processing centers, and greenhouses - are not subject to the state's 20% emissions reduction target by 2030 or net-zero requirement by 2040. The bill does not alter the core energy standards for other covered buildings but clarifies which structures are exempt.

Maddy summaryHB 1396, the Property Rights Protection Act of 2025, prohibits condemnation for specific energy infrastructure projects. It blocks the state, utilities, or local governments from using eminent domain to acquire property for constructing power lines (Section 7-103(c)), wind or solar generating stations (Section 7-207(b)(2)(II)), or properties encumbered by conservation easements (new Section 12-101(e)). The bill directly affects property owners, particularly those with conservation easements or land near proposed renewable energy sites. It replaces existing condemnation rules with these new restrictions to limit government and utility authority over private land use for energy projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1153 modifies Maryland's estate tax by setting specific limits on the unified credit used to calculate tax liability for decedents dying before January 1, 2026. It caps the credit at $5 million for estates of people who died between 2019 and 2025, preventing increases tied to federal changes. This directly affects Maryland residents with estates exceeding these thresholds, as it determines whether estate tax applies. The bill maintains the credit calculation method but freezes the exemption amount at $5 million for the specified period, effective July 1, 2025.

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 1101 reduces Maryland's corporate income tax rate over time to lower tax burdens for businesses operating in the state. It phases in a gradual reduction, lowering the rate from 8.25% (effective 2025) to 7.75% (2026), 7.25% (2027), 6.75% (2028), and finally 6.25% (starting 2029). The bill directly affects corporations filing Maryland corporate income tax returns by changing their tax liability calculation. The rate changes apply to taxable income earned within Maryland, with the first reduced rate taking effect July 1, 2025. This is a straightforward tax rate adjustment with no additional provisions or program requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 651 increases Maryland's Public Service Commission from five to seven commissioners and establishes specific geographic residency requirements for each position. It requires one commissioner to represent Western Maryland (five counties), one for Southern Maryland (three counties), one for the Eastern Shore (nine counties), two for Central Maryland (five counties and Baltimore City), and two for the Capital Region (two counties). The bill also mandates the Commission submit a slate of nominees for the two new Western and Southern Maryland seats to the Governor by August 1, 2025, and alters the process for appointing the Commission's Chair from among its members. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, applying only to future appointments, not current commissioners.

Maddy summaryHB 890 allows Maryland voters to change their political party affiliation in person at early voting centers or polling places during a primary election and immediately vote for their new party's candidates. This directly affects voters participating in Maryland's primary elections, enabling same-day party switching instead of requiring changes weeks in advance. The bill amends existing election law to permit this change during the primary voting period, with the affiliation change taking effect for that specific election. It does not alter other methods for changing party affiliation (like mail or in-person registration office visits) outside of primary election days. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 501 (RAISE Act) simplifies licensing for workers who complete approved apprenticeships. It allows the State Board of Plumbing to waive the journey plumber exam for those who finish an approved program, and authorizes the Secretary of Labor to waive exams for other licensed trades under similar conditions. The bill creates new programs, including the Maryland Office of Registered Apprenticeship Development and an Apprenticeship Incentive Program, funded by a nonlapsing special fund for interest earnings. These changes directly affect apprentices, licensed trades workers (like plumbers), and employers participating in approved training programs. The law applies retroactively to existing apprenticeship completions.