Rep. Mark Edelson

Maddy summaryHB 744 updates Maryland's traffic safety laws by increasing penalties for dangerous driving. It defines reckless driving as driving 30+ miles per hour over the speed limit (previously undefined), adds 2 points to a driver's record for negligent driving, and adds 6 points for speeding over 30 mph above the limit. The bill also redefines aggressive driving as committing two or more specific traffic violations (like tailgating or illegal passing) during a single driving period, with fines up to $1,000. These changes directly affect drivers convicted of these offenses, with the law taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 506, the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act, creates the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program to reduce nutrients in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through voluntary farm conservation practices. The bill establishes a special fund for the program, redefines "healthy soils" for existing soil programs, and exempts certain fishing license holders from needing food establishment licenses. Key provisions include tiered recognition for farms adopting conservation practices, requirements for the Department of Environment to authorize water quality trading credits, and new rules for fisheries management and aquaculture leases. The bill directly affects Maryland farmers, state environmental agencies, and fishing industry participants by changing how conservation incentives and regulations are implemented.

Maddy summaryHB 930 establishes Maryland's Public Health Abortion Grant Program to improve access to abortion care by redirecting excess funds from health insurance coverage. It requires insurance carriers in Maryland to transfer 90% of unused funds from their abortion coverage accounts (after covering patient costs) into a new special fund. This fund will support abortion clinical services, particularly where federal funding is restricted, benefiting individuals seeking abortion care in Maryland. The program mandates annual reporting by insurers and transfers existing excess funds starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1442 requires the Maryland Judiciary to evaluate existing truancy reduction pilot programs by analyzing student GPA, graduation rates, and truancy rates. The report must include recommendations on whether such a program would be effective specifically in Baltimore City's Eighth Judicial Circuit. The Judiciary must submit this report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2026. This bill does not create new programs but mandates a time-limited evaluation, expiring automatically on December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 463 requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration to create a mandatory 3-hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program for new driver's license applicants who have never held a license before but qualify for a license without a learner's permit. The program replaces previous alcohol-focused education and covers topics like impaired driving hazards, legal consequences, and the effects of drugs/alcohol on driving. It must be offered in cooperation with the Behavioral Health Administration and integrated into standard driver education courses. This applies specifically to first-time license applicants meeting the criteria in Section 16-105(f)(3) of Maryland law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Maryland's Holocaust Education Assistance Grant Program within the State Department of Education. It provides funding to public school systems for Holocaust education, specifically allowing grants to cover teacher training or teaching materials related to the Holocaust. The program allocates $500,000 annually, with no school system receiving more than $50,000 in a single fiscal year. The bill directly affects Maryland public schools seeking to enhance Holocaust education curriculum and professional development.

Maddy summaryHB 1424, the "Protect Our Federal Workers Act," expands state financial assistance to Maryland residents affected by federal government disruptions beyond just shutdowns. It renames the "Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund" to the "Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund" and broadens eligibility to include current federal employees not paid during shutdowns *and* Maryland residents recently terminated due to federal office closures, relocations, or mass layoffs. The bill allows funds from the state’s Catastrophic Event Account to cover costs for these individuals, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor. This changes existing law to provide loans for both ongoing shutdowns and post-layoff financial hardship from federal facility changes.

Maddy summaryHB 399 allows organizations affiliated with a Major League Baseball team playing in Baltimore City to conduct raffles under new rules. It requires these groups to obtain a permit from a Baltimore City agency (not the police commissioner), spend most funds locally for charitable, civic, or youth athletic purposes, and operate raffles using electronic devices within Baltimore’s boundaries. The bill amends existing raffle laws to create this exception, while maintaining limits on raffle frequency (max 12 per year) and prohibiting personal financial gain from proceeds. It directly affects baseball-connected nonprofits, charities, and community groups in Baltimore seeking to fundraise through raffles.

Maddy summaryHB 1226 authorizes Baltimore City to use stop sign monitoring systems in school zones, if permitted by local law, to capture vehicles failing to stop. It establishes a process where drivers recorded violating stop signs receive citations and face civil penalties, with fines required to fund public safety programs like pedestrian safety initiatives. The bill prohibits contractors from being paid based on the number of citations issued and specifies that contested cases must go through district court. This applies specifically to Baltimore City school zone enforcement, not statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 1189 authorizes Baltimore City to establish a special property tax rate for nonprofit-owned properties no longer used for their charitable purpose for at least three consecutive tax years. It creates a new tax subclass for such properties, allowing the city to impose a rate up to 10 times the standard rate. This directly affects nonprofit organizations in Baltimore whose properties have been vacant or unused for their intended purpose. The bill requires the city to report annually on the tax rate, number of properties affected, revenue generated, and whether properties could be repurposed. It takes effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025.