Rep. Bob Long

Maddy summaryHB 830 requires local election boards to verify both a voter's signature and a witness signature on absentee ballot return envelopes before counting the ballot, with exceptions for active-duty military members overseas and their spouses/dependents living overseas. This directly affects all voters who request absentee ballots in Maryland, ensuring ballots meet specific signature requirements for processing. The bill mandates that election boards compare voter signatures against registration records using technology to be implemented within one year of the law's effective date. It amends existing election law to add these verification steps and clarify when witness signatures are not required.

Maddy summaryHB 863 reclassifies the theft of a firearm as a felony under Maryland law, previously treated as a lower-level offense. It establishes felony penalties based on the firearm's value: up to 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine for theft valued at $1,500-$25,000, up to 10 years for $25,000-$100,000, and up to 20 years for $100,000 or more. Convicted individuals must also return the firearm or pay its value to the owner. The bill directly affects anyone who steals a firearm or knowingly possesses stolen firearms, raising penalties for these offenses under Section 7-104 of Maryland’s Criminal Law.

Maddy summaryHB 791 imposes a two-year moratorium (2026-2028) on increases to the assessed value of residential properties in Baltimore County, directly affecting homeowners whose property taxes are based on these assessments. The bill allows increases only under specific exceptions, such as major renovations adding $100,000+ in value, zoning changes, or corrections of calculation errors. It also requires Maryland’s State Department of Assessments and Taxation to hire an independent third party by December 1, 2027, to review and recommend improvements to residential property assessment practices. The department must then report its findings and planned actions to the Governor and legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 455 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to certify nonprofit organizations meeting specific criteria as scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). It mandates the Department to annually submit a list of certified SGOs to the U.S. Treasury starting in 2027 and requires the Comptroller to provide online guidance for taxpayers claiming federal tax credits for donations to SGOs. The bill directly affects nonprofit SGOs seeking certification, eligible students receiving scholarships, and Maryland taxpayers claiming federal tax credits. Key provisions include standardized application processes for SGOs, annual financial reporting requirements, and public reporting of scholarship data like recipient schools and award amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 655 requires public school principals to send written notice to parents or guardians when a student has two or more incidents of violent or disruptive behavior on school property or during school activities in a single school year. This notice mandates that parents/guardians seek and participate in counseling with their child, warns that failure to do so is unlawful under new Section 3-8A-30.1, and provides referrals to counseling resources. The bill directly affects parents/guardians of students exhibiting such behavior, with non-compliance potentially leading to court-ordered community service. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Maryland’s Education Article (§ 7-304.2) and Courts Article (§ 3-8A-30.1).

Maddy summaryHB 726 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to name a new bridge replacing the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge the "Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge" upon its completion. This bill directly affects the Maryland Transportation Authority, which must implement the naming after the new bridge opens to traffic. The law amends state transportation codes to include the bridge's official name and sets a deadline: if the bridge opens by December 31, 2031, the naming takes effect immediately after notification to the legislature. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the bridge's official designation with no additional policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 652 creates a property tax credit for first-time homebuyers in Maryland. It defines a "first-time homebuyer" as a Maryland resident who has never owned a dwelling in any state. The bill changes how the taxable assessment is calculated for this credit: for the first year a first-time homebuyer owns a home, the credit uses the previous owner's assessment (adjusted for revaluation) instead of the new owner's current assessment. This directly affects eligible first-time homebuyers by lowering their initial property tax burden. The change applies to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 656 requires Maryland's Comptroller and tax agency to regularly verify if nonprofits in the state have been designated by federal authorities as supporting terrorist organizations under U.S. law (18 U.S.C. § 2339A). If confirmed, the bill mandates revoking the nonprofit's state tax exemptions for income, sales/use, and property taxes. Nonprofits receive 90 days to contest the revocation after written notice, with reinstatement possible if errors are found or if they prove they didn’t receive the notice. The bill applies only to nonprofits formally identified by federal agencies as violating anti-terrorism laws, not general criticism of terrorism.

Maddy summaryHB 651 creates tax exemptions in Maryland for U.S. nationals detained or taken hostage abroad (and their spouses). It exempts their income from state income tax and waives property tax on their primary residence if the home is exclusively used by the spouse or was previously used by the detainee before their detention. The exemption applies to taxable years starting after December 31, 2025 (income tax) and June 30, 2026 (property tax). Eligibility requires federal determination under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery Act, with the Comptroller collaborating with the State Department to identify affected individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 603 requires Baltimore County to set its homestead property tax credit percentage at a fixed 100% for all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026. This directly affects Baltimore County homeowners who qualify for the homestead property tax credit, which reduces their property tax bill by applying the credit percentage to their taxable assessment. Previously, Baltimore County could choose a credit percentage between 100% and 110% or use the prior year's rate, but this bill eliminates that flexibility. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, for the 2026 tax year.