Del. April Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Ratepayer Protection Act of 2025, prevents Maryland state and local governments from suing businesses for financial or economic damages caused by global warming or climate change. It achieves this by adding a new legal provision that explicitly bars government agencies from filing such lawsuits, while clarifying that the law does not stop governments from enforcing existing environmental, health, or zoning regulations. The legislation defines "business" broadly to include various entities and financial institutions, and it takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1276 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for eligible long-term care insurance premiums paid by residents for themselves or certain family members (spouse, parent, child, or stepchild) who are at least 45 years old. The credit equals 100% of premiums paid, but is capped at $250 per insured person per year for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. It cannot be claimed for individuals who had long-term care coverage before January 1, 2026, or for whom the credit was previously claimed. The credit is non-refundable, cannot be carried forward, and requires annual reporting on usage and impacts to the state's Medical Assistance Program.

Maddy summaryHB 1321 creates a refundable state income tax credit for Maryland small businesses (defined as entities with 50 or fewer employees, including those with no employees) to offset costs for specific cybersecurity measures. It allows a credit of up to $1,000 for an initial cybersecurity risk assessment and implementation, or up to $500 annually for recurring measures like antivirus software, multi-factor authentication, and data encryption. If the credit exceeds the business’s income tax liability, the excess is refundable. Businesses must submit proof of qualifying costs with their tax return to claim the credit, which applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1397 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to consider "grid enhancing technologies" - specifically high-performance conductors and storage used as transmission - when reviewing applications for overhead transmission line construction. This affects utility companies seeking permits for new transmission infrastructure, as the commission must now evaluate these technologies as a mandatory factor. The bill amends existing law (Section 7-207(f)) to explicitly add these technologies to the list of requirements for certificate approvals. The policy change ensures new transmission projects must address capacity, efficiency, reliability, and resilience improvements during the review process.

Maddy summaryHB 1329 allows natural gas energy systems to be constructed, permitted, and operated in Maryland with standard permitting requirements. It removes the Public Service Commission's authority to require investor-owned electric companies to build their own generating or transmission facilities under certain circumstances. The bill also states legislative support for developing additional nuclear energy (including small modular reactors) and encourages PJM Interconnection to expedite grid connections for new thermal generation projects. These changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1218 creates a 19-member Task Force to study Maryland’s electricity needs through 2040 and recommend policies to reduce reliance on out-of-state power. The Task Force, including state officials, utility representatives (like BGE and Constellation), environmental groups, and ratepayer advocates, must analyze electricity forecasts, costs, and options to ensure Maryland imports no more than 25% of its power by 2030-2040. The bill also imposes a temporary 12-month pause (July 2025-May 2026) on the Public Service Commission approving new transmission line projects. This pause gives the Task Force time to develop recommendations on energy sources, grid upgrades, and cost impacts for Maryland ratepayers. The Task Force must submit its findings to the Governor and General Assembly by December 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 authorizes the construction, permitting, and operation of natural gas power plants in Maryland until the state meets 50% of its energy needs from renewable sources (including nuclear energy). The bill requires the Maryland Energy Administration to collaborate with natural gas facility owners to reduce their energy output at the same rate that renewable energy production increases once the 50% target is reached. This directly affects natural gas facility operators and the Maryland Energy Administration, mandating a structured transition toward renewable energy. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, without specifying further details about the transition timeline or enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1219 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to create regulations for generating stations co-located with data centers but not connected to the state's main power grid. It exempts these facilities from standard utility fees, renewable energy mandates, and retail customer regulations, while mandating backup power, cybersecurity measures, and annual reports on energy sources, environmental impact, and contributions to state energy goals. The bill directly affects data center operators seeking to build independent on-site power generation without grid interconnection. These regulations will take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1132 requires Maryland public school principals to investigate every student fight or physical struggle. It prohibits school staff from disciplining students who, after an investigation, more likely than not used reasonable force to protect themselves or escape an attack. If a student was wrongly disciplined for such an incident, the school must remove all related records from their disciplinary file. This bill directly affects students involved in school fights, school administrators, and the accuracy of student disciplinary records.

Maddy summaryHB 1015 requires all Maryland public middle schools to begin instruction no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and public high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It directly affects every public middle, high, and charter school in Maryland, mandating later start times unless a waiver is granted. County boards and charter schools must also implement public awareness campaigns about sleep deprivation and the benefits of later start times. Waivers for earlier start times are permitted only for compelling reasons, such as natural disasters or severe weather, as determined by the State Board of Education.