Del. Robbyn Lewis

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 470 prohibits drivers from obscuring, modifying, or blocking vehicle registration plates in a way that hides the plate number or makes identification difficult. It directly affects vehicle owners who currently use plate covers, tinted shields, or other modifications that prevent clear visibility of license plates. Violations are classified as moving violations, subjecting offenders to points on their driving record under Maryland law. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025, and amends Maryland's Transportation Code to clarify this prohibition.

Maddy summaryHB 1322 requires all operators of gasoline-powered vessels on Maryland waters to have carbon monoxide warning labels clearly visible near the transom and helm of the vessel. This law directly affects boat operators and owners who operate gasoline-powered vessels, amending Maryland's State Boat Act to mandate these labels. The key provision specifies the exact locations where labels must be affixed to warn of carbon monoxide risks. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 516 strengthens privacy protections for footage captured by Maryland's automated traffic enforcement systems (like speed cameras, school bus monitors, and traffic signal cameras). It requires agencies to deny public access to recorded images unless specific exceptions apply, such as for traffic enforcement investigations or court proceedings. The bill also prohibits state/local agencies from using these images for non-enforcement purposes without a warrant, subpoena, or court order, and mandates data destruction after a set period. This replaces and amends existing Maryland law to clarify privacy safeguards for automated enforcement programs.

Maddy summaryHB 375 (Jay's Law) modifies Maryland's transportation code to allow bicyclists, riders of play vehicles, and unicyclists to ride on sidewalks or sidewalk areas unless prohibited by local ordinance. It requires these riders to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and users of electric personal assistive mobility devices when on sidewalks or in crosswalks. The bill directly affects cyclists, pedestrians, and local governments (which retain authority to ban sidewalk riding). Key provisions amend sections 21-1103 and 21-1202 of Maryland's Annotated Code, taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1465 creates income-based installment payment plans for drivers who owe $250 or more in unpaid tolls and civil penalties. It requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to establish this program, allowing eligible individuals to pay gradually based on their income instead of paying the full amount upfront. The bill amends existing law to replace the previous 30-day payment deadline with this new payment option, which can prevent license suspension for non-payment. Drivers must qualify by meeting income requirements and applying through the new program.

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 1473 requires Maryland state departments, agencies, and programs to provide equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and disabilities. It mandates these entities to develop language access plans by July 2027, including accommodations like interpreters, sign language, and plain language materials. The Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs will oversee compliance, investigate complaints, and receive $400,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support implementation. The bill expands existing LEP protections to explicitly include disability accommodations under defined "equal access" standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 establishes a one-year pilot program in Maryland's Department of Labor to connect unemployed individuals with overdue child support payments (arrears) to employment opportunities, including state government jobs. The program requires the Department of Labor to collaborate with the Departments of Human Services and Budget and Management to securely share participant information and implement procedures. It mandates a final report to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2026, evaluating the program's effectiveness before its automatic expiration on June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects unemployed residents with child support arrears and state agencies managing workforce and social services. This policy change creates a structured pathway to address both unemployment and child support obligations through job placement.

Maddy summaryHB 475 standardizes definitions across Maryland transportation laws to ensure all uniformed service members (including those in the Public Health Service and NOAA) receive equal treatment under existing transportation benefits. It updates key terms like "Uniformed Services," "Service Member," and "Veteran" to align with federal definitions, replacing narrower state-specific language. This change ensures transportation rules - such as parking privileges or toll exemptions - apply consistently to all eligible service members, not just traditional military branches. The bill does not create new benefits but clarifies how current transportation policies apply to all uniformed services.