Del. Nick Allen

Maddy summaryHB 1175, the "Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act," requires property owners to certify contact information to the Department of Housing annually and allows local governments to review housing development projects. It establishes housing production targets, creates simplified permitting for standardized affordable housing designs, and permits counties to adjust taxes - lowering fees for affordable projects while increasing them on non-affordable properties. The bill also mandates studies on housing infrastructure, tax disincentives for downsizing, and internal reviews of housing approval processes. These provisions directly affect property owners, local jurisdictions, counties, and housing developers across Maryland.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1615 amends Maryland law to allow cooperative housing corporations and condominiums to use reserve funds for emergency purposes beyond their original funding plans, under specific conditions. It requires that any emergency use of reserves must be repaid within five years and approved by at least two-thirds of members (for co-ops) or unit owners (for condos). The bill also mandates that governing bodies develop funding plans prioritizing health, safety, and structural repairs - such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems - and review progress annually. This change affects all Maryland co-ops and condominiums with reserve funds, streamlining emergency financial access while maintaining accountability. The bill amends Sections 5-6B-26.1(g) of the Corporations and Associations article and Section 11-109.4(f) of the Real Property article in the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1517 protects residential development projects targeted by "retaliatory downzoning" by allowing higher density. It defines a "qualified project" as a residential development (new construction or major renovation) that faced zoning changes after local officials publicly opposed it, while meeting affordable housing requirements (15% affordable units for 40 years, or 20% in jurisdictions with stricter prior rules). The bill requires local jurisdictions to permit density exceeding standard limits: 60% higher than typical in multifamily zones, or 50% of previous zoning density. This applies to projects in single-family, multifamily, nonresidential, or mixed-use areas, with specific density rules for each zone type.

Maddy summaryHB 444 prohibits Maryland state and local governments, including county sheriffs and agencies, from entering into new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It requires existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the law’s effective date (June 1, 2026). The bill specifically targets contracts, memorandums, or agreements that allow local entities to assist in federal immigration enforcement under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies and government bodies that previously collaborated with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to prevent state/local resources from being used for immigration enforcement under federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct studies measuring problem and pathological gambling rates for both in-person and mobile gambling, with the mobile gambling study due by July 2031. The bill redirects 1% of proceeds from fantasy sports competitions and 1% of sports wagering revenue to the Problem Gambling Fund, altering prior distribution rules that directed most funds to education. These funds will support treatment and prevention services for problem gamblers, including inpatient care, outpatient services, and educational programs. The legislation amends Maryland law to mandate these studies and fund allocations, directly affecting the Department of Health and the Problem Gambling Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1390 requires Maryland public schools to excuse student absences for observing Veterans' Day, directly affecting all public school students and their families. The bill amends Maryland's education code to explicitly add Veterans' Day to the list of excused absences, alongside existing holidays like Thanksgiving and Memorial Day. Schools must now excuse absences for Veterans' Day observance without requiring a specific reason or documentation. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies uniformly across all Maryland public school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1103 designates the Freedom Flag, created by Richard Nicholas Melito, as Maryland's official symbol of remembrance for the September 11 attacks. The bill amends the Maryland Annotated Code to add a new section (7-320) formally recognizing this flag for commemorating the 2001 attacks. The designation takes effect on September 11, 2026, and serves as a symbolic state recognition without altering existing laws or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 173 formally designates the Natural History Society of Maryland as Maryland's official State Natural Science Museum by amending the state code. The bill renumbers existing sections and adds a new provision (Section 7-326) stating this designation, which takes effect October 1, 2026. This procedural bill directly affects the Natural History Society of Maryland by granting it the official title under state law. It does not create new funding, programs, or regulatory requirements - only establishes the museum's recognized status within Maryland's legal framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1253 (Break STRIDE Act) changes how investor-owned gas companies recover costs for infrastructure projects. It repeals current rules allowing companies to add infrastructure costs to customer bills via surcharges and instead requires them to prove projects reduce leaks, improve safety, and are cost-effective before recovering costs. The bill also mandates 6 months' advance written notice to customers affected by construction. These changes apply only to investor-owned gas companies (not cooperatives) and take effect after a specified date.