Del. Steve Arentz

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.

Maddy summaryHB 462 prohibits intentionally causing physical harm to a sports official (umpire, referee, or judge) during a sporting event. It specifically adds sports officials to the list of protected individuals under Maryland's second-degree assault law, making such acts a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. Unlike assaults against police or first responders (which become felonies), assaults against sports officials remain misdemeanors under this bill. The bill also updates arrest procedures to allow warrantless arrests for this specific assault type, as it is now listed in the criminal procedure code.

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 summaryHB 137 prohibits students charged with a crime of violence (as defined in Maryland law) from attending public schools in person until the charge is dismissed or the student is found not delinquent. The bill requires local school systems to provide separate, alternative learning options for these students, such as home-based instruction or specialized programs, distinct from regular classrooms. These options must align with existing policies for students under similar legal supervision. The law applies specifically to public school students in Maryland and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law requires health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations to cover hearing aids for adults who are prescribed, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed audiologist. The coverage applies to non-disposable devices designed to improve hearing in environments commonly experienced by adults and allows insurers to set a maximum benefit of $1,400 per ear every three years. If an adult chooses a hearing aid that costs more than the plan's limit, they can pay the difference without facing financial or contractual penalties for the provider. The law also permits insurance companies to offer benefits that are more generous than these minimum requirements. These provisions take effect on January 1, 2025.

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.