Del. Barrie Ciliberti

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 576 authorizes the Maryland State Archives to establish fees for record services through regulations, directly affecting the public, state agencies, and courts that access or request records. Key provisions include allowing the Archives to set fees as a percentage (capped at 2% of existing fees) or flat subscription rates for record preservation, requiring 7% of collected fees to fund an Archives Endowment Account, and setting a $3 fee for public copies of property plats. The bill also clarifies that courts may obtain land record copies for free with judicial approval while maintaining fee structures for other services like vital records and certified copies. These changes update existing fee authority in Maryland law without altering record access requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 885 prohibits knowingly causing another person to ingest a drug that induces abortion when the person knows the other is pregnant and acts without consent, through fraud or coercion, or by force. It directly affects individuals who attempt to compel another person to take such medication under these conditions. The law creates a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison for violations. The bill, titled the "Women’s Freedom From Coercion Act," takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 790 exempts first-time homebuyers in Maryland from the state transfer tax when purchasing improved residential property they will occupy as their primary residence. The bill replaces existing tax exemption language to clarify that qualifying buyers (those who have never owned residential property in Maryland as their principal home) and their agents must submit a sworn statement confirming their status and occupancy plans. The exemption applies to the 0.25% transfer tax rate, which remains the seller’s responsibility to pay (though no tax is collected under this exemption). This change directly affects first-time homebuyers purchasing qualifying properties, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 857 modifies Maryland's income tax rules to reduce the tax deduction for military retirement income for retirees under age 55. Currently, those under 55 receive a $12,500 deduction, but this bill would lower it to $20,000 (effectively increasing their taxable income by $7,500 annually). The change applies to military retirement income received during the taxable year, directly affecting Maryland residents who are military retirees under 55. The bill amends Section 10-207(q) of Maryland's tax code and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 761 modifies Maryland's income tax code to increase the tax break for military retirees. It removes the age requirement for the full tax deduction on military retirement income, raising the deduction from $12,500 (under 55) or $20,000 (55+) to $25,000 for 2026-2026 and $40,000 starting in 2027. This directly affects Maryland residents who receive military retirement income from active or reserve service, including death benefits. The bill amends Section 10-207(q) of Maryland’s tax code to apply the higher deduction regardless of the retiree’s age. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 820 would require Maryland's Secretary of State Police to add a special endorsement to handgun permits for current or retired U.S. government employees who hold or held Top Secret or Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance. This endorsement allows permit holders to carry a handgun in any location where law enforcement officials are permitted to carry while performing their duties. The bill specifies that eligibility requires either current employment with such clearance or 10 consecutive years of clearance prior to retirement. It directs the Secretary to adopt implementing regulations and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 935 requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals, directly affecting women eligible for prerelease programs at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. The bill mandates a separate facility meeting specific criteria: at least 3 acres, not within 1 mile of other prisons, and designed to house 1.25 times the 2024 prerelease-eligible population. It requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services (including gender-responsive programming) and report progress to legislative committees by a specified deadline. The facility must operate by June 1, 2023, with the Department of General Services directing procurement for its construction.