Del. Jeff Ghrist

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 611, the "Informed Enrollment Act," requires Maryland colleges admitting first-time undergraduates to prominently display a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard on their public websites by July 1, 2026. It mandates that institutions explain the Scorecard’s data on cost of attendance, graduation rates, salary outcomes, and debt directly on their websites and during student recruitment. Colleges must also share this information through orientation events, recruitment materials, and regularly with prospective students, new students, advisors, and career counselors. If the federal Scorecard ends, the Maryland Higher Education Commission must provide comparable data using state sources like the Maryland Longitudinal Data System.

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 843 requires car manufacturers to provide independent mechanics and vehicle owners with diagnostic tools, repair manuals, and vehicle data (like telematics information) under fair terms. It specifically mandates that manufacturers install open data platforms in vehicles with connected systems, allowing independent repair shops to access vehicle diagnostics without relying solely on dealership services. The law applies to most passenger vehicles but excludes heavy-duty trucks over 14,000 pounds. It also requires manufacturers to give new owners a document explaining their rights to repair their vehicles and access to vehicle data. The bill creates new definitions and standards for "fair and reasonable" access to repair information, without forcing manufacturers to share trade secrets.

Maddy summaryHB 842 requires farm equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair shops and farm owners with necessary documentation (like manuals and diagnostics), updates, and part numbers for repairing farm equipment. It prohibits manufacturers from using contracts to avoid this requirement or withholding part numbers, and mandates that access to parts and information must be offered at fair, reasonable costs comparable to what they provide to their own dealers. The law directly affects farmers who maintain their own equipment and independent repair businesses that serve them. It updates Maryland law to establish clear standards for repair access under a new "Farm Equipment Repair" subtitle.

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 548 restricts Maryland's Governor from deploying the state militia (including the National Guard) into "active duty combat" without specific congressional action. It prohibits such deployments unless the U.S. Congress has passed an official declaration of war (per Article I, Section 8, Clause 11) or taken a specific action under Clause 15 to "call forth" the militia for federal purposes. The bill explicitly preserves the Governor's authority to deploy the militia under Title 32 of U.S. law for domestic support, such as disaster response within Maryland. This directly affects the Governor's power to commit state military forces to overseas combat roles without federal congressional authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maryland's tax exemption for parts and equipment used to repair, maintain, or upgrade aircraft. It keeps the exemption in place for smaller planes under 12,500 pounds and larger planes used primarily in interstate or foreign commerce. The law removes the requirement for the state Comptroller to report annually on lost tax revenue and job changes related to the exemption. Additionally, it extends the exemption's expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill expands a special tasting license in Caroline County to include liquor, in addition to beer and wine. It allows businesses with existing Class C per diem licenses to offer these drinks for free tasting on their premises, provided the alcohol is consumed there and not sold. The law sets strict limits on how much an individual can drink in a single day and caps the number of times a person can use the license at 26 times per year. A $50 fee is required to obtain this license, which must be renewed daily and includes a rule that any opened containers of alcohol must be discarded at the end of the day.