Rep. Eric Ebersole

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maryland's tax code to exempt properties owned by public housing authorities (including Baltimore Housing Authority, Howard County Housing Commission, and Montgomery County Housing Authority) and certain nonprofit housing corporations from state and local taxes when used for housing eligible low-income residents. It requires these entities to make "payments in lieu of taxes" to local governments through negotiated agreements. The exemption applies to properties directly owned or held through subsidiary entities of these housing authorities. The changes update existing tax law under Maryland's Housing and Community Development code (Section 12-104).

Maddy summaryHB 698 requires certain Maryland counties to report annually on development impact fees, surcharges, and excise taxes collected from new construction. Specifically, charter counties with such fees, code counties with local laws imposing them, and commission counties that have both authorization and enacted them must submit reports by July 1 each year to the Governor and General Assembly. The reports must detail total amounts collected, how funds are distributed to specific districts (like legislative or commissioner districts), and how much is used for capital projects such as transportation improvements, school construction, or other related infrastructure. Counties must make these reports publicly available on their websites or through other accessible means.

Maddy summaryHB 513 limits rooster ownership in Maryland to no more than 5 roosters per acre or 25 total on a single property, starting January 1, 2027, unless authorized by the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects property owners keeping roosters, excluding commercial poultry farms, schools, animal shelters, and 4-H members who provide written authorization with specific details (like breed and location). Violations may result in misdemeanor fines up to $1,000, with enforcement handled by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with local animal control. The bill aims to address concerns linked to cockfighting and Avian Flu spread, as noted in its preamble.

Maddy summaryHB 505 renames Maryland's "renewable energy portfolio standard" to the "clean energy portfolio standard" and increases the required percentage of energy from clean sources (like wind, solar, and nuclear) for utilities over time. It revises definitions for offshore wind projects, modifies application requirements for these projects, and establishes a new process for the Public Service Commission to review proposed nuclear energy projects. The bill also requires nuclear project applicants to comply with minority business programs and mandates how energy sales proceeds from certain nuclear projects must be distributed. Additionally, it renames related funds and committees (like the "Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund" to "Clean Energy Business Development Fund") and applies these changes retroactively.

Maddy summaryHB 525 prohibits using AI-generated deepfakes (synthetic media) to influence voters in Maryland elections. The bill defines "fraud" to include deepfakes - AI-created videos, audio, or images that falsely depict candidates or alter their appearance/speech - to prevent deceptive influence. It bans anyone from intentionally using such deepfakes to sway voting decisions, whether through force, threats, or other means. Violations are misdemeanor offenses punishable by fines up to $5,000 or up to 5 years in prison. This directly affects individuals or groups distributing deepfakes during elections in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1127 requires all Maryland county school districts to develop age-appropriate water safety and swimming instructional content for public school students, integrating it into health and physical education by July 2026. It also mandates each county board to create a plan by December 2025 outlining strategies to increase student access to swimming pools and facilities through community partnerships, cost-effective transportation, and resource coordination. The plan must identify public/private partners and recommend policy changes if needed. Implementation of the curriculum begins in the 2026-2027 school year, while the access plan requirement expires June 30, 2026. This bill directly affects all public school students in Maryland counties and their local school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1512 modifies Maryland law to change how county boards of education reappoint current county superintendents. It allows boards to formally reappoint an incumbent superintendent at any time during their term, but requires final action by March 1 of the year their contract is renewed. This affects county boards in most Maryland counties (excluding Baltimore City and Prince George’s County), directly impacting superintendents seeking to continue their 4-year terms. The bill removes the previous requirement for boards to decide reappointments by March 1 of the initial term year, instead standardizing the deadline to March 1 before the renewal term begins. The changes take effect June 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 prohibits Maryland institutions of higher education from denying students access to facilities or services due to sickle cell disease diagnosis and requires them to provide reasonable accommodations. The bill mandates the Maryland Department of Health to develop an education campaign for campuses about sickle cell disease challenges, create uniform procedures with the Maryland Higher Education Commission for supporting affected students, and compile training materials for faculty and staff. Institutions must also establish clear reporting procedures for violations and publicly share accommodation policies. These requirements take effect October 1, 2025, directly impacting all Maryland colleges and universities and students with sickle cell disease.

Maddy summaryHB 986 requires every Maryland county school district to create a new teacher retention program for educators with fewer than two full years of experience. The program must include cohort-based support groups, assign each new teacher a mentor (including retired teachers), survey teachers on challenges, and provide principals with resources to support new teachers. Counties must prioritize support for new teachers from diverse backgrounds and those in schools with high teacher turnover rates, and must compensate mentors and program overseers through additional pay or leave. This bill directly affects new teachers, school principals, and county school districts across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 587 allows veterans honorably discharged after withdrawing from high school to earn a high school diploma if they enlisted during specific military conflicts. It updates Maryland law to cover veterans who left accredited public or private high school to serve in any armed conflict authorized by the U.S. President or Congress (replacing the previous list of specific conflicts like WWII, Korea, and Vietnam). To qualify, veterans must apply to their county school board, which will establish procedures for awarding diplomas. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, directly affecting veterans who left school early for military service.