Maddy summaryHB 2102 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace the current legislative redistricting process with a citizen-based Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Convention. This 188-member body would be elected by county voters every ten years to draw new state and federal district maps, subject to strict eligibility rules that bar current or aspiring elected officials, party staff, and lobbyists from serving. The General Assembly retains the power to challenge a certified map plan in court, but if no challenge is filed or the Supreme Court of Maryland upholds the plan, it automatically becomes law. Additionally, the bill mandates that every state legislative district for the House of Delegates must consist of exactly three single-member delegate districts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1063 modifies Maryland's hunting regulations to allow the Department of Natural Resources to authorize deer population reductions on properties with documented deer damage (such as crop destruction or forest harm) through permits permitting Sunday deer hunting, while restricting it within 25 yards of designated equestrian trails. It repeals the ban on Sunday hunting for migratory game birds and allows the Department to establish county-specific Sunday hunting rules during game bird and mammal seasons, with most counties now permitting limited Sunday hunting (typically from 30 minutes before sunrise until 10:30 a.m.). The bill directly affects property owners with deer damage on 10+ acre properties, hunters in counties like Calvert, Caroline, and Worcester, and the Department of Natural Resources, which gains new authority to set hunting rules. Key provisions include standardized time limits for Sunday hunting and eliminating outdated prohibitions, focusing on practical management of wildlife impacts.
Maddy summaryHB 972 establishes the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, a permanent fund to provide annual grants supporting agricultural fairs and education. The fund will receive lottery proceeds (before allocation to the general fund) and replace previous requirements for horse racing fund allocations. It directs specific annual grants: $825,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, $75,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, $550,000 to the Maryland State Fair Society (for youth programs like 4-H and FFA), and $50,000 to the Maryland FFA Association. These grants aim to advance agricultural fairs, education, and youth programs across Maryland.
Maddy summaryHB 547 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for agricultural equipment by allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to add new equipment types through regulation. This directly affects Maryland farmers who purchase qualifying equipment, including technologies that reduce soil disturbance and nutrient runoff. The bill modifies existing tax rules (Section 10-208(d)) to include "enhanced agricultural management equipment" determined by the Secretary, beyond the current list of specific items like no-till planters or manure injection systems. Farmers must still meet standard requirements, such as owning equipment for at least three years and using it in agricultural production.
Maddy summaryHB 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.
Maddy summaryHB 687 (the PACE Act) protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents in Maryland from having their creative works (like music, poetry, visual art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. It blocks such evidence unless a court finds, by a preponderance of evidence, that the creator intended the work to be literal (not fictional), it directly references the specific facts of the alleged crime, and it's relevant to a disputed fact. The bill explicitly excludes this protection for juvenile cases where creative expression is used to evaluate mental health or diversion programs. This law directly affects artists facing criminal or juvenile charges in Maryland, changing how their original creative expression can be considered as evidence. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 1467 amends Maryland's criminal code to allow out-of-state, federal, or tribal court convictions for certain sex offenses to count as prior convictions for enhanced sentencing. Specifically, it expands the definition of "prior conviction" under fourth-degree sexual offense penalties to include crimes that would qualify as violations of specific Maryland statutes (e.g., sexual offenses involving minors) if committed in Maryland. This directly affects repeat offenders who have prior convictions for equivalent offenses in other jurisdictions, potentially leading to longer prison terms (up to 3 years) for subsequent offenses. The bill does not change the underlying offenses but modifies sentencing eligibility based on prior convictions from outside Maryland. It takes effect October 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 34 requires Maryland municipalities to install approved grating systems on all open drainage inlets (with 12-inch or larger openings) that collect stormwater. These systems must prevent large debris entry while allowing water flow and be secured to prevent removal by floodwater or tools. The law applies to both new inlets (during construction) and existing inlets, mandating full installation by June 1, 2027. It directly affects all Maryland municipalities by requiring infrastructure upgrades to improve stormwater management and safety.
Maddy summaryHB 1215 allows Carroll County to purchase Shamrock Farms (a specific property at 4926 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, MD) from the Maryland Stadium Authority for $4,480,000 (adjusted for inflation). It requires Carroll County Commissioners to notify the Authority of their intent to buy by July 1, 2029, and permits payment in five annual installments using county funds or donations. The bill amends state laws to prohibit the Stadium Authority from selling the property except under these terms and transfers all rights (including zoning authority) to Carroll County upon sale. This directly affects the Stadium Authority as the seller and Carroll County as the buyer.
Maddy summaryHB 1435 requires Maryland health insurance companies, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover hormone-related care for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. This includes hormone therapy, hormone-modulating medications, related lab testing, and clinical visits, with coverage not denied based on diagnosis (like menopause symptoms), age, or prior treatment history. The bill prohibits extra approval steps, stricter limitations, or higher costs for this care compared to similar treatments. It also mandates that coverage decisions follow evidence-based guidelines and the treating provider’s clinical judgment, ensuring timely access to care.