Del. Caylin Young

Maddy summaryHB 1342 creates a new Maryland Controlled-Environment and Hydroponic Agriculture Program Fund to provide grants for farmers establishing or expanding indoor or water-based farming facilities. It requires the Department of Agriculture to create a centralized online portal with permitting and licensing information for these farms, and mandates local governments to adopt zoning rules allowing such agriculture in urban areas. The bill also sets procurement targets for state agencies to buy food from certified local farms using these methods and permanently increases funding for the existing Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Fund. These changes directly affect hydroponic and controlled-environment farmers, community colleges offering workforce training, and local zoning authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 1282 prohibits licensed tobacco sellers from advertising or marketing tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or vaping liquids to anyone under 21 years old. It bans specific tactics like using cartoons, superheroes, food images targeting minors, or symbols associated with youth in advertisements. The bill also restricts advertising in media where 15% or more of the audience is under 21, or within 500 feet of schools. This directly affects retailers and manufacturers licensed to sell tobacco products in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 884 requires Maryland to appropriate at least $5 million annually to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) starting in fiscal year 2028, continuing until a total of $321,181,312 is funded. This addresses a historical funding disparity between UMES (Maryland's 1890 land-grant university for historically Black students) and the University of Maryland, College Park (the 1862 land-grant institution), which received less state funding per student from 1987-2020. Funds must supplement - never replace - existing state budget allocations and can be used for infrastructure, faculty investment, scholarships, or other institutional needs identified by UMES. The bill mandates annual appropriations that cannot decrease year-over-year, aiming to fully remediate the identified funding gap.

Maddy summaryHB 932 requires the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to complete construction of its fifth bus division facility by June 30, 2032. The bill directly affects the MTA, mandating it to identify necessary funding in the 2027-2033 Consolidated Transportation Program to ensure the facility is operational by the deadline. Key provisions include a fixed completion date and annual funding planning requirements for the MTA’s capital budget. This bill does not alter service operations but sets a concrete timeline and funding process for a new infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 1261, the Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act, requires manufacturers of AI toys marketed to children in Maryland to include specific safety features and data privacy protections. It mandates parental consent mechanisms, age-appropriate content filters to block harmful or inappropriate material (like violence or emotional manipulation), automatic "safe mode" that disables the toy during risky interactions, and prohibitions on using child data for marketing. The law directly affects toy manufacturers selling AI toys in Maryland, requiring them to conduct safety assessments and update software for vulnerabilities. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act, with enforcement handled by a new Review Panel under the Attorney General's office.

Maddy summaryHB 1455 requires Maryland's State Retirement and Pension System Board of Trustees to review all investment holdings and divest from specific "Israel-restricted investments," defined as holdings in the Government of Israel, its agencies, or associated entities like the Development Corporation for Israel. The bill prohibits the Board from making new investments in these restricted assets using net new funds and mandates annual reports to legislative committees detailing divestment actions and ineligible investments. It includes provisions requiring the Board to act in good faith while complying with fiduciary duties and applicable human rights law, with limited exceptions for investments that cannot be sold at fair market value. The bill directly affects Maryland's public employee pension funds, which hold billions in assets managed by the Board. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1371 establishes the Maryland-Africa and the Caribbean Investment and Development Program within the Department of Commerce to study and promote trade and investment between Maryland's African diaspora communities and Africa/Caribbean nations. The program creates an Advisory Board (with members from diaspora businesses, community groups, academic institutions, labor, and finance) to study trade opportunities and recommend actions to the Department. It also creates the Maryland African Diaspora Investment and Development Fund, a permanent fund providing grants, low-interest loans, and business support services to diaspora-owned businesses for expansion, startup capital, and job creation - particularly focusing on Northeast Baltimore communities. The bill directly affects businesses owned by Maryland residents of African or Caribbean descent, defined as first-generation immigrants and their descendants.

Maddy summaryHB 444 prohibits Maryland state and local governments, including county sheriffs and agencies, from entering into new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It requires existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the law’s effective date (June 1, 2026). The bill specifically targets contracts, memorandums, or agreements that allow local entities to assist in federal immigration enforcement under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies and government bodies that previously collaborated with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to prevent state/local resources from being used for immigration enforcement under federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1521 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for individuals and businesses that support at-risk youth through donations, volunteering, or hiring. It allows a 50% credit on contributions to certified organizations (max $5,000 for individuals, $100,000 for businesses), $25 per volunteer day at schools/recreation centers (max $500 annually), and $1,000 per hired at-risk youth (max $5,000 annually). The credit applies only to youth aged 12-25 facing challenges like homelessness, foster care aging out, or living in designated high-poverty areas. Taxpayers must apply for certification through the Department of Commerce, with a $10 million annual cap on total credits.

Maddy summaryHB 1573 creates a refundable state income tax credit for Maryland taxpayers who make qualifying political contributions to campaign finance entities. Individuals may claim up to $50, while married couples filing jointly may claim up to $100 per year, with the credit refundable if it exceeds tax liability. The bill requires the Comptroller to annually report on credit usage and fiscal impact to the Governor and General Assembly. It applies to contributions made during taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and expires June 30, 2032. This policy directly affects Maryland residents who contribute to political campaigns, offering a tax benefit for small donations.