Rep. Stephanie Smith

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 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 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 611, the "Informed Enrollment Act," requires Maryland colleges admitting first-time undergraduates to prominently display a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard on their public websites by July 1, 2026. It mandates that institutions explain the Scorecard’s data on cost of attendance, graduation rates, salary outcomes, and debt directly on their websites and during student recruitment. Colleges must also share this information through orientation events, recruitment materials, and regularly with prospective students, new students, advisors, and career counselors. If the federal Scorecard ends, the Maryland Higher Education Commission must provide comparable data using state sources like the Maryland Longitudinal Data System.

Maddy summaryHB 648 establishes the BRIDGE Program within Maryland's Department of Commerce to provide grants to qualifying business incubators. The program targets incubators that primarily serve businesses in Maryland, require formal incubator programs for early-stage companies, and have staff trained to support socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Grants cover planning, facility improvements, equipment, and operating costs (with limits on covering more than 25% of operating expenses after the first year), ranging from $100,000 to $400,000 per fiscal year. Preference is given to incubators led by disadvantaged individuals, located in underserved communities or designated zones, or focused on supporting startups led by disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

Maddy summaryHB 613 requires Maryland courts to remove identifying information (like names, addresses, or phone numbers) from court documents in sexual assault cases, unless a judge finds "good cause" to disclose it. It specifically protects victims of sexual assault (defined as alleged victims of certain crimes under Maryland's Criminal Law Article) by mandating redaction of their personal details from all filings, including existing case documents, upon written request. The law also requires the Supreme Court of Maryland to establish rules for implementing this redaction process. This applies to both new court filings and existing cases in criminal or juvenile delinquency proceedings involving sexual assault. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 520 establishes a Tri-Position Identification Number (Tri-PIN) system for Maryland's Executive Branch state agencies, allowing positions to be filled either by one full-time employee or through job sharing (two part-time employees sharing duties). It requires state agency leaders to review all new or existing vacancies occurring after October 1, 2025, within 15 months to determine if job sharing is feasible without compromising work quality, budget, or labor compliance. If approved, positions must be advertised as job-sharing opportunities; if not, agencies must document the rationale for filling the role with a single full-time employee. The bill directly affects state agencies and future job applicants by changing how vacancies are processed and advertised.

Maddy summaryHB 340 authorizes Maryland's Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies (specifically publicly traded entities deriving ≥50% revenue from coal/oil/gas with >$1 billion market cap) for climate-related harms caused by deceptive or unlawful actions. It creates a Climate Change Restitution Fund to pay for programs addressing climate impacts like flooding, heat islands, drought, and disease spread, funded by settlements/judgments from such lawsuits. The fund is nonlapsing and managed by the Department of Budget and Management, with interest earnings credited back to it. An Advisory Council advises on fund distribution to the Governor, Attorney General, and legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 451 requires owners of private construction projects and contractors to include specific payment terms in contracts. It mandates that owners pay contractors within 60 days of receiving a valid invoice after work completion, and if payment is withheld, they must provide written notice explaining the reason within 60 days. Unpaid amounts accrue 9% annual interest starting on the 60th day. Subcontractors must also be paid within 60 days of invoice or 7 days after the contractor receives payment from the owner. This law directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and property owners involved in Maryland construction projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Task Force to study how Maryland can improve support for people returning to society after incarceration. The group includes government officials, legal representatives, and individuals with personal experience in the criminal justice system, such as former inmates and family members of those currently in prison. The Task Force will evaluate current reentry services, identify missing resources, and create a plan to form a new Division of Returning Citizens within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. This proposed division would coordinate existing programs and expand access to housing, employment, socialization, and health services for individuals after their release.