Del. Marlon Amprey

Maddy summaryHB 917 increases filing fees under Maryland's Securities Act for businesses and individuals submitting certain securities-related documents. It raises exemption filing fees from $100 to $250 per filing, increases initial federal covered securities notice fees from $100 to $250, adds a $300 fee for amended filings, and imposes a $150 late fee. These changes directly affect entities required to file under exemptions like § 11-601(16) or federal covered securities notices. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, with no changes to filing requirements or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 591 changes Maryland law to set a 3-year deadline for local authorities to take action against violations of local consumer protection codes. Specifically, it requires that prosecutions or enforcement efforts for fines, penalties, or remedies must begin within 3 years after local officials knew or should have known about the violation. This applies directly to local governments and consumer protection agencies enforcing codes related to unfair business practices. The bill does not alter existing laws for other types of cases, focusing solely on consumer protection enforcement timelines. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 allows sellers of residential property to request a second appraisal if an initial appraisal values the property below its current market value. The bill requires lenders to provide a written copy of this additional appraisal to the seller at no cost. It directly affects residential property sellers who disagree with an initial appraisal, giving them a formal process to seek a revised valuation. The key provision ensures sellers receive a free, written copy of the second appraisal, addressing concerns about appraisal discrepancies during sales transactions. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1434 establishes a 13-member Food Deserts Workgroup to study areas in Maryland with limited access to affordable, nutritious food (known as "food deserts"). The Workgroup, including state agency secretaries, county representatives, and community stakeholders, must analyze health and economic impacts of food deserts and assess strategies to attract grocery stores by November 1, 2025. It will produce a report with recommendations for eliminating food deserts, to be submitted to the Governor and relevant legislative committees. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2026, and does not create new funding or regulations - only a study process.

Maddy summaryHB 1366 requires Maryland health insurance plans to cover cervical Pap tests for all individuals and ovarian cancer surveillance tests (CA-125, ultrasound, or pelvic exams) for those with specific risk factors, such as a family history of ovarian cancer or BRCA gene mutations. It prohibits insurers from charging copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for these tests, except in high-deductible health plans where the plan's standard deductible still applies. The law applies to all health insurers and health maintenance organizations providing coverage in Maryland and takes effect January 1, 2026. This directly affects individuals seeking preventive cancer screenings, particularly those at higher risk for ovarian cancer.

Maddy summaryHB 916 prohibits transporting a firearm in a checked bag on Maryland public transportation (including buses, trains, ferries, and airlines) unless the firearm is disabled by an external safety lock that prevents discharge. This directly affects travelers who check firearms in baggage, requiring them to use a key or combination lock device. Violations are misdemeanors, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses: up to 2 months in jail or $500 for a first offense, up to 6 months or $1,000 for a second, and up to 1 year or $2,000 for third or subsequent offenses. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 establishes a state program to provide funding to Maryland public and nonpublic schools participating in the federal child nutrition program's community eligibility provision. The program covers the difference between federal paid and free meal reimbursement rates, helping schools avoid financial shortfalls when serving more students at no cost. The State Department of Education will distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity in school districts. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support this program.

Maddy summaryHB 1446 creates a state income tax credit for businesses that relocate their headquarters and base operations to Maryland from another state under specific conditions. To qualify, a business must demonstrate its home state adopted a policy causing a humanitarian crisis based on political beliefs, threatening employees' livelihoods, and harming work supporting underserved communities, while also receiving financial incentives in that state. The credit amount equals comparable financial incentives from the home state, with unused portions carryable to future years. The Department of Commerce administers the program and requires a two-year commitment to maintain operations in Maryland after relocation, and a Business Relocation Council will advertise the credit nationwide.

Maddy summaryHB 1287 prohibits manufacturing, selling, purchasing, receiving, or transferring "convertible pistols" in Maryland. A convertible pistol is defined as any semiautomatic pistol that can be converted into a machine gun solely by attaching a switch or auto-sear. The bill amends Maryland's Criminal Law to specifically target these firearms, directly affecting anyone handling such weapons or their conversion components. It does not ban all semiautomatic pistols, only those that meet this specific conversion definition. The law aims to prevent the use of devices that enable rapid-fire capabilities through simple attachment.

Maddy summaryHB 1346, the PACE Act, protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents from having their creative works (like music, poetry, art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. The bill requires courts to make four specific findings before admitting such expression: that the creator intended it literally (not figuratively), it directly relates to the specific crime, it addresses disputed facts, and it has unique value not available through other evidence. This applies to all criminal and juvenile proceedings, with an exception allowing creative expression to be used in juvenile cases for mental health evaluations. The law aims to prevent artistic expression from being misinterpreted as confessions or evidence of guilt without strong judicial scrutiny.