Rep. Wayne Hartman

Maddy summaryHB 482, the "Fair Districts for Maryland Act," proposes constitutional changes to overhaul Maryland's redistricting process. It establishes an independent Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Commission to draw both state legislative and congressional districts, replacing the current Governor-led process. The bill mandates new boundary rules requiring districts to respect natural geography, community interests, and geographic compactness, while explicitly prohibiting consideration of voter registration, past voting patterns, or political party affiliation. If the General Assembly fails to adopt a redistricting plan within 45 days of the census, the Commission would submit a plan to the Supreme Court for approval. This directly affects all Maryland residents by changing how voting districts are drawn, aiming to reduce partisan influence in the redistricting process.

Maddy summaryHB 411 increases Maryland's standard income tax deduction amounts for 2026 and beyond. It raises the standard deduction to $4,100 for single filers (from $3,350), $8,200 for heads of household or surviving spouses (from $6,700), and $8,200 for married couples filing jointly (from $6,700). The bill also establishes an automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment starting in 2026, tying future increases to inflation as measured by the IRS formula. This directly affects Maryland residents who claim the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions on their state tax returns.

Maddy summaryHB 1355 requires health insurers in Maryland to cover medically necessary hearing aids for adults if the devices are ordered, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed hearing aid dispenser (in addition to coverage when prescribed by an audiologist). Insurers must cover up to $1,400 per hearing aid per ear every three years, but enrollees can choose more expensive devices and pay the difference without penalty. The law applies to all health insurance policies issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026. This directly affects adults with hearing loss covered by health insurance plans subject to Maryland’s insurance regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1238 creates a new "liquor tasting license" for Somerset County, allowing businesses with existing Class A beer, wine, and liquor licenses to offer free liquor tastings. The license permits customers to try up to half an ounce per offering (with a maximum of five offerings daily) without charge, strictly for sampling purposes. Businesses must pay fees based on duration - $20 for one day, $200 for 26 days, $300 for 52 days, or $400 for 104 days - added to their standard Class A license costs. The bill applies exclusively to Somerset County and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 425 exempts licensed auctioneers acting on behalf of sellers (without taking title to the vessel) from being classified as "dealers" under Maryland's State Boat Act. This change specifically affects auctioneers who sell boats for owners or secured parties, such as lienholders, where title passes directly to the buyer. The bill amends the State Boat Act by adding a clear exclusion to the definition of "dealer" in Section 8-701(c)(3), ensuring auctioneers aren't subject to dealer licensing requirements when operating under these conditions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 809 creates a temporary exception to standard child placement limits for foster care providers when a child enrolled in college must leave campus due to academic breaks, temporary closures, or approved leave. The exemption applies only if the child, foster care provider, and agency agree to the living arrangement. This directly affects youth in foster care attending college and their foster care providers. The law requires the state to update placement regulations by July 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 580 updates outdated terminology in Maryland law by replacing "Maryland State Firemen’s Association" with "Maryland State Firefighters Association" across multiple statutes. It specifically amends references in sections covering courts, education, health, labor, public safety, tax, and transportation laws. The bill does not change any policies or programs but ensures legal documents consistently use the modernized name for the association. This affects how the association is referenced in state law but does not alter its responsibilities or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 163 creates a permit for out-of-state dealers of motor homes and recreational vehicles to display their vehicles at shows in Worcester County, but only if the dealer’s home state allows Maryland dealers to show there. The permit allows dealers to exhibit vehicles at these events but explicitly prohibits taking buyer orders or deposits. Dealers must file a bond with the Motor Vehicle Administration after approval, and the bond remains active until all permit conditions are met. The bill establishes a new administrative process for the MVA to issue, manage, and potentially revoke these permits.

Maddy summaryHB 292 requires cooperative housing corporations, condominiums, and homeowners associations in Maryland to include specific reserve funds in their annual budgets and deposit those funds by certain deadlines each year. The bill mandates that governing bodies conduct initial reserve studies within specified timeframes (depending on the entity's establishment date and county) and update these studies every five years, including annual reviews for accuracy. It also requires entities to prepare detailed funding plans aligned with reserve study findings, ensuring funds are set aside for future major repairs and replacements of common property components. This affects all qualifying housing associations across Maryland counties, with implementation timelines staggered based on when the entity was established in Prince George’s, Montgomery, or other counties. The law aims to improve financial planning for long-term maintenance without changing membership rights or fees.

Maddy summaryHB 967 legalizes the 2025 Edition of Somerset County's Code of Public Local Laws and any related supplements, confirming they contain valid laws enacted by Maryland's General Assembly. This procedural bill ensures the code is officially recognized as evidence of law in all state courts and by public officials, replacing the need for separate citation of individual statutes. It affects Somerset County by formally adopting its updated local law code, effective July 1, 2025, without creating new policies or changing existing laws.