Rep. Mark Edelson

Maddy summaryHB 1232 allows developers to avoid Baltimore City property taxes for new or renovated commercial or multifamily projects in the Downtown RISE District (specifically wards 4, 21, and 22 precincts) by entering a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with the city. To qualify, the project must include at least one facility like a hotel, office building, or retail space, and the city must first confirm the project’s financial necessity through an economic analysis. Developers must apply for the agreement by June 30, 2036, with building permits secured and financing conditions met. The city must annually report job creation, estimated tax impacts, and other economic benefits to city council and the state legislature. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 637 ("The Vax Act") requires Maryland's Secretary of Health to issue science-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services using guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics. It expands pharmacists' authority to administer flu, COVID-19, and emergency vaccines to patients aged 3 and older (previously limited to 18+ for some vaccines) after completing specific training. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these recommended services without cost-sharing for patients. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and Maryland residents seeking preventive care, particularly children and adults needing routine vaccinations.

Maddy summaryHB 918 authorizes Baltimore City to create and enforce local laws that are stricter than state rules for regulating the sale and distribution of cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices. It allows the Baltimore City Council and Mayor to implement these stricter local rules, while still requiring compliance with state licensing and tax laws under Title 12 of Maryland’s Tax-General Article. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects Baltimore City’s ability to tailor tobacco and e-cigarette regulations to local needs.

Maddy summaryHB 1105 sets a 3-year statute of limitations for prosecuting or enforcing local consumer protection codes in Maryland. It requires that legal actions for fines, penalties, or equitable relief must be filed within 3 years after local authorities knew or reasonably should have known about a violation. This applies directly to municipalities with their own consumer protection codes and affects businesses or entities violating those local rules. The bill modifies Maryland's judicial code to establish this timeframe for enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryHB 437, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026, requires Maryland’s Department of Transportation to conduct impact assessments for major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million. These assessments must evaluate greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, and the department must develop a multimodal transportation program (including transit, biking, and pedestrian improvements) to offset emissions from the project. The program must prioritize overburdened and underserved communities affected by the project, aiming for net-zero or negative greenhouse gas emissions when combined with the highway project. This applies to projects not already funded or reviewed before June 30, 2026, and affects highway planning decisions across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 386 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA and Maryland's budget process, mandating that the Governor withhold funds if WMATA fails to submit required reports (like safety assessments and financial data) or if it doesn't develop a rail signaling workforce transition plan by July 2028. The bill also requires WMATA to provide detailed annual reports on safety, ridership, finances, and capital investments to trigger full funding. If WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, or misses the workforce plan deadline, the Governor must withhold the funds until these conditions are met.

Maddy summaryHB 1293 requires behavioral health programs (like mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities) operating inpatient facilities to verify if residents are required to register under Maryland’s sex offender registry. Specifically, facilities must ask residents directly about registration status and confirm if they are listed on the registry. If a resident is required to register, facilities must help them comply by informing them of legal obligations, coordinating with authorities, and documenting these efforts. Non-compliance can result in fines up to $10,000 per violation or licensing penalties for repeated failures.

Maddy summaryHB 832, the "ICE Breaker Act," prohibits Maryland state law enforcement agencies from hiring individuals who were hired as sworn officers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on or after January 20, 2025. It applies specifically to agencies defined in the bill, including the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, and others listed in Section 3-535 of the Maryland Annotated Code. The law only affects new hires after its effective date (October 1, 2026), with no retroactive application to current employees hired before that date. The bill creates a clear hiring restriction for these state agencies regarding individuals with recent ICE employment.

Maddy summaryHB 1245 establishes the Baltimore First Responders Child Care Support and Accessibility Program within Maryland’s State Department of Education. It provides monthly child care allowances to first responders (including Baltimore City police, fire, and emergency medical personnel) in Baltimore City to support their dependent children’s early development and address recruitment/retention challenges. The program requires $600,000 in annual state funding starting fiscal year 2028, administered with Baltimore City public safety departments and nonprofit partners. Annual reports must track participation by agency, children served, and impacts on recruitment, retention, and public safety.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution, not a bill with enforceable policy changes. Maryland's General Assembly formally joins other states (like California and Oregon) and local jurisdictions in endorsing the "Back from the Brink" initiative. It urges Maryland's congressional delegation to cosponsor a federal resolution supporting the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and asks the U.S. President and Senate to endorse that treaty. The resolution expresses concern about nuclear risks but does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or entities.