Del. Sheila Ruth

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 438 (Buddy's Law) increases the maximum compensatory damages for pet owners when someone negligently causes injury or death to their domesticated pet. It raises the cap from $10,000 to $25,000, covering costs like veterinary care and the pet’s fair market value before death. The law specifically applies to domesticated pets (excluding livestock) and affects owners in Maryland whose pets are harmed by negligence. The bill amends Maryland’s tort law and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill establishes a minimum annual fee of $2.30 per ton for generators of coal combustion by-products, while exempting those that beneficially reuse the material or use it for coal mine reclamation. It creates a new Statewide Coal Combustion By-Products Coordinating Committee composed of state officials, technical experts, community representatives, and local government members to monitor sites and share information. The Department of the Environment must adopt regulations by a specified date to align with federal guidelines and must reduce fees in future years if collected revenue exceeds program operating costs.

Maddy summaryHB 858 establishes Maryland's Mattress Stewardship Program to reduce landfill waste and promote recycling. It prohibits disposing of mattresses in landfills or incinerators after specific dates (with limited exceptions), requires mattress producers to submit recycling plans to the Department of the Environment, and adds a fee to all mattresses sold in the state to fund the program. Retailers must provide consumers with recycling information after implementation, and the program creates an advisory board to oversee recycling efforts. The bill directly affects mattress producers, retailers, and consumers through new fees and disposal rules, aiming to divert mattresses from landfills - addressing a problem where only 5% of U.S. mattresses are recycled annually.

Maddy summaryHB 911 allows landlords to charge a security deposit of up to two months' rent if a tenant operates a family child care home (caring for up to eight children) on the property. It prohibits landlords from unreasonably restricting or banning such homes in single- or multifamily rentals (excluding owner-occupied small units or condo/co-op rules), requires tenants to notify landlords 30 days in advance, and mandates providing insurance certificates naming the landlord as an additional insured. Landlords are also shielded from civil liability for issues related to the tenant’s child care operations. The bill applies to residential leases starting October 1, 2025, and does not override local zoning laws.

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 338 prohibits the disposal of yard waste collected on state buildings or highways in single-use plastic containers. Instead, it requires that such waste be collected in reusable containers or compostable paper bags. The bill mandates all yard waste from these locations must be disposed of at an organics recycling facility, a natural wood waste recycling facility, or a state facility producing mulch or soil amendments. This applies to state employees and contractors handling yard waste collection on state property.

Maddy summaryHB 153 lowers the minimum age for voter registration in Maryland from 16 to 15 years and 9 months. It requires election officials to send registered minors (ages 15-17) a notification card containing information about when they will become eligible to vote (at age 18). Additionally, it mandates that election directors send eligible minors who become 18 a notice about upcoming primary elections, available voting methods, and early voting locations. The bill directly affects minors registering to vote and election officials responsible for voter communications. It amends Maryland’s Election Law sections 3-102 and 3-301, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 422 allows cyclists, play vehicles (like scooters), and unicycles to enter an intersection on a red traffic signal when a pedestrian "walk" signal is active, directly affecting these non-motorized users at crosswalks. The bill amends Maryland law to clarify that operators must yield to all vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection before proceeding. It specifically updates Section 21-1202 of the Maryland Transportation Code to permit this maneuver at intersections with pedestrian-controlled signals. The change takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not alter existing requirements for cyclists to follow other traffic laws.