Rep. Jay Jacobs

Maddy summaryHB 1008 prohibits Maryland state and local governments from imposing a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) tax, mileage-based user fees, or tolls based on GPS tracking. It also bans requiring private vehicle owners to install devices that track mileage for tax reporting. The bill specifically repeals provisions allowing VMT taxes and adds new restrictions in tax and transportation laws, effective October 2025. It does not affect existing reciprocal fuel tax agreements under current law. This directly impacts state/local authorities and private vehicle owners by preventing new mileage-based fees or tracking requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 976 amends Maryland law to clarify that registered vessels (under Title 8, Subtitle 7 of the Natural Resources Article) are explicitly excluded from the definition of a "nonwater-dependent project" for wetlands construction purposes. This change directly affects vessel owners and permit applicants, as it removes vessels from a category that previously allowed certain pier-based structures without full wetlands permitting. The bill modifies Section 16-101(i) of the Environment Article to specify that vessels "regardless of use" cannot be classified as nonwater-dependent projects. This ensures vessels follow standard wetlands permitting requirements rather than the streamlined process applicable to other structures like piers or renewable energy systems. The policy change streamlines regulatory clarity for state wetlands management.

Maddy summaryHB 736 adjusts Maryland's school construction funding by reducing the local cost-share (the portion a county pays) for certain school projects under specific conditions. It directly affects school districts in counties meeting one of three criteria: (1) having the state's lowest median household income (bottom quartile) with a current 50/50 state-local split, (2) having over the statewide average of students eligible for free/reduced meals with all schools in community eligibility, or (3) having projects at schools with high poverty concentration (80%+ or 55-80%) or meeting specific facility standards. The bill reduces the local share to match adjacent counties or a county average, while increasing the state's share by the same percentage. For example, a school in a county with 80%+ poverty concentration would get a 10-point increase in state funding, and net-zero school projects would get a 5-point increase.

Maddy summaryHB 792 increases the Maryland income tax subtraction for retirement income from public safety careers. It raises the deductible amount from $15,000 to $20,000 annually for retired correctional officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel aged 55 or older. This change applies to retirement income attributable to their public safety service, reducing taxable income for qualifying retirees. The bill amends Maryland’s tax code (Section 10-207(mm)) and takes effect July 1, 2025, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 800 modifies Maryland's income tax code to provide a tax deduction for military retirement income. It sets a $12,500 annual deduction for military retirees under age 55, while those aged 55 or older receive a $20,000 deduction. This change directly affects Maryland residents who receive military retirement income and are under 55. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 650 establishes the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, a special non-lapsing fund to provide annual grants for agricultural fairs and education. The bill directs $825,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, $75,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, and $550,000 to the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society for fair promotion, statewide education, and youth programs like 4-H and FFA. It replaces previous funding from the horse racing special fund by requiring a portion of state lottery proceeds (before General Fund allocation) to fund the new Promise Fund. Interest earnings from the fund must be credited back to it, and the fund is administered by the Comptroller with grants paid annually.

Maddy summaryHB 766 amends Maryland's Wildlife Advisory Commission membership rules to require that the member representing the farming community be appointed from a list of candidates provided exclusively by the Maryland Farm Bureau. Previously, the Governor could solicit nominations from any farming community groups, but this bill specifies the Farm Bureau as the sole source for that seat. The bill does not change the total membership (10 members), the other representation categories (hunting, wildlife preservation, and passive recreation), or the academic researcher appointment. This change ensures the Farm Bureau directly influences the selection of its designated representative on the commission.

Maddy summaryHB 739 requires local governments to approve solar energy projects before the state can approve them. The bill prohibits the Public Service Commission from granting state approval for a solar generating station unless every county or city where the project is proposed has provided written consent. This directly affects solar developers, who must now secure local written approvals, and local governments, which gain formal authority to approve or deny projects. The key provision mandates that local consent is a mandatory step in the state approval process for solar energy facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 742 prohibits solar energy developers from using eminent domain to acquire private land for constructing solar generating stations. The bill amends Maryland's public utilities code (specifically sections 7-207, 7-207.1, 7-207.2, and 7-208) to explicitly state that no person may exercise eminent domain rights for solar energy projects. This directly affects solar energy companies seeking to build facilities without landowner consent. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and removes an existing legal pathway for solar developers to compel land purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 695 repeals a requirement that Maryland's motor fuel tax rates automatically increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), changing how fuel tax revenue is calculated. The bill bans vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) taxes and similar fees, including requiring devices to track mileage in private vehicles. It also sets specific farebox recovery targets for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), limits when MTA can raise fares, and removes public hearing requirements for certain fare changes. This directly affects drivers (through fuel tax changes), MTA (via fare rules), and local governments (by prohibiting new transportation fees). The bill modifies existing tax and transportation laws without adding new funding mechanisms.