Del. Sheila Ruth

Maddy summaryHB 1092 redefines "recycling" to exclude specific chemical processes that convert plastic waste into fuel or feedstock, such as pyrolysis, gasification, and enzymatic breakdown. It prohibits new construction of facilities in Maryland that use these methods to convert plastic into fuel or feedstock, effective October 1, 2025. The bill directly affects companies planning to build such facilities and alters how recycling is legally defined in Maryland law. Existing facilities are not impacted, as the prohibition applies only to new construction.

Maddy summaryHB 874 repeals Maryland's special property tax assessment for country clubs and golf courses, removing a dedicated tax subclass from the state's property tax code. This bill affects property owners of country clubs and golf courses by ending their previous special tax rate under Sections 8-212 through 8-218 of Maryland's tax law. The bill modifies the property tax classification system (Section 8-101(b)) to delete the specific subclass for these properties, meaning they will now be taxed under standard property tax rules. The repeal takes effect June 1, 2025, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 846, the Transportation Access and Revenue Act, requires businesses providing short-term vehicle rentals and peer-to-peer car sharing to collect sales tax on these services. It directs 45% of the tax revenue from these services to the Transportation Trust Fund (for roads and transit projects) and the remainder to a coastal conservation fund. The bill also mandates that sales tax revenue from electricity used to charge electric vehicles at public charging stations (not under residential rates) be allocated to the Transportation Trust Fund. This changes how certain transportation-related tax revenue is distributed, affecting car-sharing companies, rental businesses, and electric vehicle charging providers.

Maddy summaryHB 657 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to evaluate alternatives to building new power transmission lines, such as using existing lines from other companies, existing rights-of-way, upgrading current lines, or burying lines underground. The Commission must consider these alternatives when they help preserve historical, environmental, or agricultural areas, avoid residential zones, or align with local growth plans. This law applies to utility companies seeking to expand transmission infrastructure and takes effect on October 1, 2025. It removes a previous requirement for the Commission to verify whether an existing line's owner has a franchise in the area.

Maddy summaryHB 1014, the "Fair Share for Maryland Act of 2025," makes significant changes to Maryland's tax code affecting residents, businesses, and estates. It adjusts estate tax calculations to maintain Maryland's tax rate despite potential federal changes, imposes a business transportation fee on corporations and pass-through entities, and expands eligibility for the earned income tax credit by lowering income thresholds for individuals without qualifying children. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments for tax credit phase-out amounts, limits net operating loss deductions, and modifies child tax credit eligibility. These changes directly impact Maryland taxpayers, businesses, and families relying on state tax credits.

Maddy summaryHB 958, the Maryland Railway Safety Act of 2025, establishes new safety requirements for railroad operations in Maryland. It mandates a minimum two-person crew for freight trains (excluding hostler/utility service), prohibits blocking grade crossings for more than five minutes, and limits train length to 8,500 feet on main or branch lines. The bill also requires railroads to report hazardous material transportation data to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry (for emergency agencies only, not the public) and mandates installation of wayside detectors on tracks designated Class IV or higher by federal standards. Violations carry civil fines up to $25,000 per incident.

Maddy summaryHB 973, the Better Buildings Act of 2025, requires new buildings and major renovations (costing 50%+ of a structure's replacement value) in Maryland to meet all space heating, water heating, and laundry demands without fossil fuels. It mandates energy conservation standards and requires buildings to be "electric- and solar-ready," meaning they must have sufficient electrical capacity, wiring, and physical space for future installation of electric appliances and solar panels. The bill amends Maryland law to adopt these standards through the Department of Labor, aligning with but allowing stricter energy efficiency requirements than the International Energy Conservation Code. This directly affects developers, builders, and property owners constructing or significantly renovating buildings in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 822 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove outdated language requiring belief in God from Maryland's Declaration of Rights. Specifically, it would delete provisions in Articles 36 (affecting jury service and witness testimony), 37 (affecting public office qualifications), and 39 (affecting oath administration) that courts have already ruled unconstitutional. The bill aims to align Maryland's constitution with existing Supreme Court precedents, such as *Torcaso v. Watkins* and *Schowgurow v. State*, which struck down similar religious tests. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this amendment would formally remove these references from the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 878 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create regulations protecting vernal pools - temporary wetlands critical for species like wood frogs and fairy shrimp. The bill directly affects landowners and developers in areas with vernal pools by mandating new preservation rules and buffer zones around these ecosystems. Key provisions define vernal pools (e.g., seasonal water presence, size limits under 5 acres) and require the Department to establish specific protections for their preservation and buffer areas. The regulations must be adopted by October 1, 2025, to address threats from development and limited existing protections.

Maddy summaryHB 701 bans the purchase, use, and sale of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in Maryland starting in 2025. It prohibits the state from buying these devices after July 1, 2025, and phases out their use by state agencies and contractors by 2030 (with temporary exceptions for specific months each year). Retailers must notify buyers about the 2027 sales ban starting September 2025, and the bill allows local governments to enforce stricter rules. Exemptions include wildfire suppression, firefighting, and emergency response activities.