Del. Barry Beauchamp

Maddy summaryHB 1212 creates a workgroup to examine challenges and opportunities in Maryland's seafood marketing sector. The workgroup, convened by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will include two Senate members, two House members, agency representatives, seafood industry stakeholders, and other necessary stakeholders. The workgroup must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2027, after a one-year, one-month term.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 requires Maryland candidates for elected office to submit one of two oaths with their certificate of candidacy. The primary oath asks candidates to swear they will provide factually truthful information about their employment history, criminal/legal background, and organizational affiliations while campaigning, with violations risking perjury charges, disqualification, or removal from office. A second option allows candidates to decline the truthfulness pledge while still making their candidacy documents public. The bill explicitly exempts candidates from being barred from editorializing opinions or personal information during campaigns. This applies to all candidates filing for state offices in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 964, the Secure the Vote Act of 2026, repeals existing requirements for ballot drop boxes (including those at Baltimore City's centralized booking facility) and modifies election rules. It adds new requirements: voters must provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register (per Section 3-201.1), obtain photo ID for in-person voting (Section 2-111), and restricts absentee voting to those unable to vote in person due to specific circumstances. The bill also mandates signature verification for absentee ballots, establishes new audit procedures for voter registration lists, and prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote in municipal elections. These changes apply to all Maryland voters and election officials statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 970 renames Maryland's "Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard" to the "Clean Energy Portfolio Standard" and changes related terms like "renewable energy credits" to "clean energy credits." The bill explicitly adds electricity generated from certain nuclear power plants as an eligible Tier 2 source for meeting the standard, expanding the types of energy that can count toward compliance. This change directly affects utilities and energy providers required to meet the state's clean energy targets, applying retroactively to prior compliance periods. The bill focuses on updating terminology and eligibility criteria within existing energy policy frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 454, the "SAVE Our Elections Act of 2026," requires Maryland to join the federal SAVE Program (Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement) to verify U.S. citizenship for voter registration applicants. It directly affects individuals applying to register to vote in Maryland, mandating that the State Board of Elections use the federal SAVE system to confirm citizenship during the registration process. Key provisions include requiring the State Administrator to enroll in SAVE, establishing a verification process for applicants, and creating an appeal mechanism for voters who dispute citizenship determinations. The bill replaces current self-declaration requirements with federal verification, amending election law sections governing voter registration eligibility and processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland election laws to require voters presenting their names at the polls to prove their identity before receiving a regular ballot. To do this, voters must show a valid government-issued photo ID or, if they lack one, provide a non-government photo ID along with a document like a utility bill or bank statement that shows their name and address. If a voter cannot provide the required identification, the election judge must refer them to vote using a provisional ballot instead. The legislation also clarifies rules for assistance, allowing voters to bring written materials into the polling place and specifying who may help those with disabilities or language barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 827, the "Repair the Transportation Trust Fund Act," repeals the automatic annual increase of motor fuel taxes based on inflation (Consumer Price Index), preventing future tax hikes on gas and other fuels. The bill also prohibits state and local governments from implementing vehicle-miles-traveled taxes or similar fees, while requiring the Maryland Transit Administration to meet specific farebox recovery targets for certain transit services. Additionally, it allows the MTA to raise fares without certain public hearings under defined conditions and bans requirements for devices tracking vehicle miles in private vehicles. These changes directly affect transportation funding, transit fare policies, and vehicle taxation across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 863 reclassifies the theft of a firearm as a felony under Maryland law, previously treated as a lower-level offense. It establishes felony penalties based on the firearm's value: up to 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine for theft valued at $1,500-$25,000, up to 10 years for $25,000-$100,000, and up to 20 years for $100,000 or more. Convicted individuals must also return the firearm or pay its value to the owner. The bill directly affects anyone who steals a firearm or knowingly possesses stolen firearms, raising penalties for these offenses under Section 7-104 of Maryland’s Criminal Law.

Maddy summaryHB 826 freezes increases to the assessed value of residential property in Maryland for taxable years 2026 through 2028. It directly affects homeowners by preventing local governments from raising property tax assessments based on market value during this period, unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions include zoning changes initiated by the owner, significant improvements adding at least $100,000 in value, changes in property use, or errors in calculation. The bill does not alter tax rates or affect commercial properties, only limiting assessment increases for residential homes.

Maddy summaryHB 924, the "Safe Kids Act," creates a new civil legal remedy allowing parents or legal guardians of minors depicted in or exposed to child exploitation material to sue online platforms directly. It prohibits platforms from knowingly distributing such material - including AI-generated images defined as "computer-generated" under the law - and requires them to remove it. The bill updates definitions to explicitly include AI-created images in child pornography laws and increases the age threshold for victims in certain criminal cases. This allows civil lawsuits for damages (including attorney fees) without needing prior criminal convictions, targeting platforms that facilitate distribution rather than just criminalizing possession.