Rep. Sheree Sample-Hughes

Maddy summaryHB 609 modifies Maryland's legislative scholarship programs to exempt students planning to complete the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria program from standard exam requirements. It specifically allows senatorial and delegate scholarships to cover costs for the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal Program (administered by the Appraisal Foundation). This change directly affects students pursuing real estate appraisal licensure who would otherwise need to meet typical scholarship exam rules. The bill amends Sections 18-402(4) and 18-405(b)(3) of the Maryland Annotated Code to include this program under eligible scholarship uses.

Maddy summaryHB 1417 establishes a Clean Energy Procurement Program within Maryland's Department of General Services by January 1, 2026. The program requires the department to competitively solicit and potentially contract for biogas to replace fossil natural gas in state transportation and building operations, aiming to evaluate environmental and economic impacts. Key provisions mandate collecting natural gas usage data, conducting a lifecycle analysis of biogas (funded by the Power Plant Research Program), and analyzing costs/benefits of expanding biogas use. The program applies only if biogas is competitively priced, of sufficient quality, and available, and will terminate December 31, 2028. It directly affects state agencies managing transportation and facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1394, the "Not On Our Dime Act," prohibits Maryland-registered nonprofit organizations (specifically those exempt under IRS 501(c)(3)/(4)) from knowingly providing unauthorized support to Israeli government or citizen activities in occupied territories that violate the Geneva Conventions. It bans actions like transferring Israeli civilians into occupied areas, violence against protected persons (including Palestinians), property destruction, or forced evictions. The bill allows the Maryland Attorney General or harmed individuals to sue violators for at least $1 million in damages, and requires the Secretary of State to remove offending nonprofits from charitable solicitation registries after a legal judgment. The law applies to nonprofits operating in Maryland and takes effect October 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 summaryThis bill prohibits violent acts in medical facilities and places of worship by adding a felony penalty for such offenses. It defines "medical facilities" broadly to include hospitals, clinics, and health agencies, and "places of worship" as nonresidential religious gathering spaces. Violating this law subjects offenders to up to 10 additional years in prison, with penalties running consecutively to sentences for the underlying violent crime. The law directly affects anyone committing violence in these locations, enhancing penalties for crimes committed in these specific settings.

Maddy summaryHB 607 establishes the PAREA Grant Program to provide financial assistance to minorities residing in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities for training to become real estate appraisers. The program aims to close appraisal gaps in these areas, diversify the appraisal profession, and support individuals pursuing real estate appraisal careers. Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the grants directly target residents in communities historically excluded from the appraisal field. This policy creates a concrete pathway for career development in a specific profession while addressing documented disparities in real estate services.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's sales tax exemption for baby products to include new items like toilet training chairs, strollers, infant safety furniture, textiles (such as baby clothing and blankets), certain foods, and baby monitors. It amends existing tax code sections (11-211(c) and 11-244) to add these categories to the list of tax-exempt purchases, which previously covered diapers, baby food, and basic hygiene items. The exemption applies directly to parents and caregivers purchasing these specific products, removing sales tax from qualifying items. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 537 allows police officers in Maryland who are denied a right under disciplinary procedures to apply to a circuit court before their hearing. Specifically, officers employed by countywide or local agencies can file in their county's circuit court, while those with statewide or bicounty agencies must file in Anne Arundel County circuit court. The bill creates a process for officers to seek a court order requiring their law enforcement agency to explain why the denied right (such as a specific procedural safeguard) should not be granted. This amendment adds a new step to police disciplinary proceedings under Maryland law, directly affecting officers facing potential discipline.

Maddy summaryHB 682 prohibits most state and local law enforcement agencies in Maryland from using persistent aerial surveillance - defined as recording video or images over time to track a person’s movements - to gather evidence in criminal investigations. The bill directly affects police departments, sheriffs’ offices, and other public safety units by restricting this surveillance method unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions include obtaining a valid search warrant, executing an arrest warrant, conducting active search/rescue operations, or responding to imminent threats like terrorist attacks with DHS authorization. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and amends Maryland’s Public Safety and Transportation codes to implement these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1216 would exempt Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, Silver Star, and Bronze Star recipients, as well as members of Gold Star families (immediate family members of service members killed in action), from paying vehicle registration fees in Maryland. The bill amends existing law to add these groups as eligible for fee exemptions on vehicles they own, lease, or personally use. This change expands current exemptions that already cover veterans with disabilities and other specific groups under Maryland's Transportation Article. The exemption would take effect on October 1, 2025.