Del. Chris Adams

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 1182 repeals Maryland law requiring Methodist churches to hold their assets in trust for the United Methodist Church and be subject to its control. It specifically targets Sections 5-326 and 5-327 of the Corporations and Associations article, which applied to churches including former Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, and Washington Methodist Conference congregations. The bill removes this legal obligation, allowing affected churches to manage their assets independently without the United Methodist Church's oversight. The repeal takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1170 requires contractors to hold a Maryland Home Improvement Commission license to install residential solar power systems on homes. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include "installation of solar power systems equipment" under the definition of "home improvement," which previously required licensing for work like remodeling or deck construction. This directly affects solar installers who perform work on single-family residences or attached structures. The key mechanism is adding solar installation to the list of licensed home improvement activities, ensuring contractors meet state licensing standards. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

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 1023 requires land created under tidal wetlands licenses to be described using metes and bounds (a precise survey method) instead of general descriptions. It mandates the Maryland Department of the Environment to update wetland landward boundaries on maps or aerial photos (at a 1-inch-to-200-feet scale) after shoreline stabilization projects authorized under existing law. The bill directly affects landowners with tidal wetlands licenses and the Department of the Environment, which must adopt regulations to implement these changes. It amends Maryland’s Environment Code (Sections 16-103 and 16-206) and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1022 prohibits Maryland's Department of Natural Resources from using federal funds for oyster restoration projects in state waters between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2030. The bill directly affects the state agency responsible for managing oyster restoration programs and any federal grant recipients working within Maryland's waters. It creates a 5-year funding ban, with an exception allowing projects in designated oyster sanctuaries already established under existing law (such as Harris Creek and the Little Choptank River). The law automatically expires on June 30, 2030, without further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1024 authorizes Maryland's Department of Agriculture to take extraordinary measures to control local deer populations after deer cause catastrophic crop damage, defined as the loss of 50% or more of crops in a single field. The bill directly affects farmers who suffer such severe damage and the Department of Agriculture, which must create regulations to implement the program. Key provisions include the department’s authority to act following a verified 50% crop loss threshold and the requirement for the department to adopt implementing regulations. The law aims to prevent recurring crop losses from deer without specifying particular control methods or funding mechanisms.

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 657 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to evaluate alternatives to building new power transmission lines, such as using existing lines from other companies, existing rights-of-way, upgrading current lines, or burying lines underground. The Commission must consider these alternatives when they help preserve historical, environmental, or agricultural areas, avoid residential zones, or align with local growth plans. This law applies to utility companies seeking to expand transmission infrastructure and takes effect on October 1, 2025. It removes a previous requirement for the Commission to verify whether an existing line's owner has a franchise in the area.