Del. Gabriel Acevero

Maddy summaryHB 1400, the "No Tax on Tips Act," requires restaurants and food service businesses to clearly disclose service fees (including their amount and whether they go to employees) on menus or visibly before ordering. It prohibits employers from counting tips toward meeting minimum wage requirements for tipped workers, ensuring they receive the full minimum wage without tip credits. Additionally, the bill allows tipped employees to subtract qualified tips from their state income tax bill (effectively making tips tax-free) and provides businesses a tax credit for wages and tips paid to employees. This directly affects tipped workers in restaurants and similar establishments, as well as the businesses that employ them.

Maddy summaryHB 1058 clarifies that local governments (counties, cities) may adopt stricter emission standards, ambient air quality standards, or solid waste regulations than state or federal requirements, provided local rules are at least as stringent. It explicitly states that county water/sewer plans and existing environmental laws do not limit this local authority. The bill requires the Maryland Department of the Environment to publish website guidance by October 1, 2025, confirming local governments' right to implement these stricter standards. This bill directly affects municipalities and counties managing air quality and waste systems, without altering existing state/federal standards. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1092 redefines "recycling" to exclude specific chemical processes that convert plastic waste into fuel or feedstock, such as pyrolysis, gasification, and enzymatic breakdown. It prohibits new construction of facilities in Maryland that use these methods to convert plastic into fuel or feedstock, effective October 1, 2025. The bill directly affects companies planning to build such facilities and alters how recycling is legally defined in Maryland law. Existing facilities are not impacted, as the prohibition applies only to new construction.

Maddy summaryHB 874 repeals Maryland's special property tax assessment for country clubs and golf courses, removing a dedicated tax subclass from the state's property tax code. This bill affects property owners of country clubs and golf courses by ending their previous special tax rate under Sections 8-212 through 8-218 of Maryland's tax law. The bill modifies the property tax classification system (Section 8-101(b)) to delete the specific subclass for these properties, meaning they will now be taxed under standard property tax rules. The repeal takes effect June 1, 2025, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1014, the "Fair Share for Maryland Act of 2025," makes significant changes to Maryland's tax code affecting residents, businesses, and estates. It adjusts estate tax calculations to maintain Maryland's tax rate despite potential federal changes, imposes a business transportation fee on corporations and pass-through entities, and expands eligibility for the earned income tax credit by lowering income thresholds for individuals without qualifying children. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments for tax credit phase-out amounts, limits net operating loss deductions, and modifies child tax credit eligibility. These changes directly impact Maryland taxpayers, businesses, and families relying on state tax credits.

Maddy summaryHB 212 requires new buildings in Maryland to meet all energy needs without fossil fuels, with deadlines based on building height: under-7-story buildings must comply by October 1, 2027 (for permits received before that date), and 7+ story buildings by October 1, 2031. The bill allows limited waivers for emergency backup systems or specific facilities like hospitals, but waived buildings must still minimize fossil fuel emissions and comply with an "electric-ready" standard for future electrification. Local jurisdictions may grant waivers only for technical feasibility (not cost), and waivers require annual review. This directly affects new construction projects statewide, phasing out fossil fuel dependence in building energy systems.

Maddy summaryHB 822 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove outdated language requiring belief in God from Maryland's Declaration of Rights. Specifically, it would delete provisions in Articles 36 (affecting jury service and witness testimony), 37 (affecting public office qualifications), and 39 (affecting oath administration) that courts have already ruled unconstitutional. The bill aims to align Maryland's constitution with existing Supreme Court precedents, such as *Torcaso v. Watkins* and *Schowgurow v. State*, which struck down similar religious tests. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this amendment would formally remove these references from the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 519 requires all Maryland hospitals to provide free parking for inpatients during their hospital stay and for outpatients during scheduled medical appointments. Hospitals must also display clear signage at all public entrances and parking areas informing patients about this free parking benefit. The law applies to every hospital facility owned, operated, or leased by a hospital and takes effect on October 1, 2025. This policy directly affects hospitals statewide and all patients receiving care at those facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 696 eliminates citizenship requirements for members of certain Maryland state boards, committees, commissions, task forces, and workgroups. It replaces these requirements with a mandate that appointees should reflect the "full diversity of the State to the extent practicable." The bill affects multiple state entities across health, environment, labor, and other sectors by changing appointment rules in over 20 specific code sections. This policy change directly impacts who can be appointed to these bodies, prioritizing diversity considerations over citizenship status.

Maddy summaryHB 665 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain health insurers to cover annual behavioral health wellness visits starting July 1, 2026. These visits, defined as clinical assessments to identify potential psychiatric or substance use disorders, must be covered regardless of whether a diagnosis is made. Insurers must reimburse providers for these visits at the same rate as visits resulting in a diagnosis. The bill applies to Medicaid recipients and health plans operating in Maryland, effective January 1, 2026, for new or renewed policies.