Rep. Chao Wu

Maddy summaryHB 897 (the "Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026") requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (>69,000 volts) in Maryland to join regional transmission organizations. It mandates new application details for certain utility projects, creates a Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration, and redirects funds from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential electricity customers. The bill also requires studies on siting transmission lines and battery storage systems within existing rights-of-way and sets deadlines for the Public Service Commission to review project certificates. These provisions directly affect electric utilities, the Public Service Commission, and residential electricity customers through cost adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 916 establishes three new regional transportation funds for Baltimore, the Capital region, and Southern Maryland. It directs specific tax revenues - including 70% of sales tax surcharges and hotel surcharges collected in each region - to these funds, while the remaining 30% is distributed to local jurisdictions based on sales activity. The funds are designated as special, nonlapsing accounts, meaning they carry over year-to-year, and interest earned on these funds must be credited back to the same accounts. This bill creates the legal framework for regional transportation authorities to develop and implement transportation plans using these dedicated revenue streams.

Maddy summaryHB 965 establishes the Office of Health Care Quality Stakeholder Advisory Council to improve oversight of health care facilities in Maryland. The council, composed of 15 members including legislative appointees, frontline workers, facility residents, advocacy groups, and industry representatives, provides feedback to the Office of Health Care Quality and notifies the Secretary of Health if oversight is deemed negligent. Key mechanisms include biannual public meetings (with live streaming and public comment), annual data reporting on facility inspections and complaints, and a requirement for the council to compile feedback and recommendations into an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly starting in 2027. This bill directly affects the Office of Health Care Quality, health care facilities, and stakeholders by adding structured accountability to oversight processes.

Maddy summaryHB 946 requires Maryland's Governor's Appointments Office to annually report demographic data about judicial applicants and nominees. The bill mandates that by December 1 each year, the Office must publish a report showing the number of applicants, recommended candidates, and gubernatorial nominees for judicial positions - broken down by ethnicity, gender identity, disability status, veteran status, and sexual orientation. This applies specifically to those seeking appointment to judicial offices through the Governor's process. The report must be submitted to the General Assembly and made publicly available, starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 745 makes Maryland's senior income tax credit refundable, allowing eligible residents aged 65 or older to receive a cash refund if the credit exceeds their state tax liability. The credit applies to single seniors with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 ($1,000 credit) and married couples filing jointly with income under $150,000 ($1,750 credit, or $1,000 if only one spouse qualifies). In specific fiscal years when state revenue estimates fall more than 3.75% below projections, the credit amount is reduced to $500 for singles ($50,000-$100,000 income) or $875 for married couples ($100,000-$150,000 income). This change ensures seniors receive the full credit amount as a refund rather than losing unused portions under previous non-refundable rules.

Maddy summaryHB 935 requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals, directly affecting women eligible for prerelease programs at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. The bill mandates a separate facility meeting specific criteria: at least 3 acres, not within 1 mile of other prisons, and designed to house 1.25 times the 2024 prerelease-eligible population. It requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services (including gender-responsive programming) and report progress to legislative committees by a specified deadline. The facility must operate by June 1, 2023, with the Department of General Services directing procurement for its construction.

Maddy summaryHB 530 establishes a task force to study using artificial intelligence to proactively review audio and video recordings from special education buses, aiming to enhance student safety. The task force, composed of state education officials, transportation representatives, disability advocates, and parents, will examine AI tools, privacy concerns, costs, and best practices from other states. It will analyze current recording systems, investigate incidents like abuse or harassment, and evaluate implementation feasibility for special education bus safety. The task force must report findings and recommendations to Maryland lawmakers by December 1, 2026, with the bill expiring June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 695 establishes the Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program to provide no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maryland. The program, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center, funds the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying renewable energy systems (like solar panels) and energy efficiency improvements (such as HVAC upgrades or window replacements). Eligible projects must support Maryland’s environmental and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The program is funded through a new special nonlapsing loan fund, with interest earnings reinvested into the fund.

Maddy summaryHB 331 establishes Maryland's Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program. It requires beverage producers to register, pay fees, and join a stewardship organization to manage recycling, mandates that all redeemable containers display refund information, and requires retailers to include the container's refund value in prices. Consumers receive refunds when returning containers to designated redemption facilities, while local governments can operate facilities to earn credits toward recycling targets. The bill also creates a grant program to fund public water fountains and refill stations, aiming to reduce litter and increase recycling rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to create a statewide network of free financial empowerment centers across Maryland, targeting residents seeking assistance with personal financial management. Each center will provide one-on-one counseling on increasing savings, reducing debt, accessing banking services, and improving credit scores, with materials available in English, Spanish, and other required languages. The Comptroller’s Office will administer the program, requiring counselors to complete training meeting established standards, and the state will fund it through budget appropriations for fiscal years 2028 and 2029. The program will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029, after which it will automatically end without further legislative action.