Del. Natalie Ziegler

Maddy summaryHB 700 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct a new study measuring problem and severe gambling rates specifically for mobile gambling (with an initial report due by July 1, 2030), expanding on existing studies for in-person gambling. It redirects 6.25% of revenue from sports wagering and fantasy sports competitions to the Problem Gambling Fund - up from prior allocations - to support treatment and prevention services. The bill also mandates annual reports by the Secretary of Health, due November 1 each year, detailing how these funds are spent on services like counseling and education. This directly affects Maryland residents seeking gambling treatment and sports betting operators who must remit the specified revenue share.

Maddy summaryHB 483 removes the previous $300 annual cap on tax credits for hunters donating processed antlerless deer meat to qualified charities. It establishes a new credit limit of $75 per deer for expenses related to butchering and processing the meat, replacing the prior annual maximum. The bill affects individual hunters who donate to 501(c)(3) organizations, requiring donations to comply with state hunting laws. It also adds reporting requirements for donation programs to the Comptroller by January 31 each year.

Maddy summaryHB 341 allows Baltimore City or Maryland counties/municipalities to grant property tax credits to property owners who convert retail service stations (like gas stations) to other retail, residential, or mixed uses. The credit specifically helps cover costs for removing underground storage tanks and cleaning contamination. Local governments can set credit terms, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost property tax revenue from the credit. This bill directly affects property owners and local governments managing such conversions, focusing on practical cleanup costs rather than new development.

Maddy summaryHB 148 prohibits auto insurers in Maryland from increasing premiums for private passenger vehicle insurance based on claims history where the policyholder was not at fault for two or fewer claims in the prior three years. It directly affects auto insurance policyholders (especially those with minor claims) and insurers, preventing premium hikes tied to limited "not at fault" incidents. The law amends existing insurance code to ban such premium increases, effective October 1, 2025. This is a concrete policy change limiting how insurers use claims data to set rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes fees on telephone and mobile service providers to fund Maryland's behavioral health crisis response system. It requires traditional phone companies to pay a fee per subscriber and prepaid wireless providers to pay a fee on each retail transaction, with all collected money going into a dedicated state trust fund. The fund is designated to cover the costs of maintaining the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline and supporting statewide crisis services such as call centers, mobile teams, and stabilization facilities. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the state Comptroller audit how these fees are collected and limits the amount of revenue that can be used for administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 575 reformulates Maryland's Criminal Injuries Compensation Board by expanding it from five to seven members and mandating that the new composition reflect the state's racial, ethnic, geographic, and gender diversity. The bill specifically requires at least one board member to be a survivor of violence from a community facing high rates of violence and incarceration, while another must represent an organization assisting victims with compensation applications. It also updates the definition of "victim" to include individuals who suffer physical or psychological injury while trying to prevent a crime, apprehend an offender, or assist law enforcement or emergency services. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which crimes are eligible for compensation and outlines the qualifications for third-party professionals who can assist in claims. Finally, the act grants the Governor the authority to include funding for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund in the annual state budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Qualified Resident Enrollment Program to help individuals in Maryland who currently lack health insurance access enroll in qualified plans. It defines "qualified residents" as people living in the state who are not incarcerated, regardless of their immigration status, and who do not qualify for existing federal or state assistance programs like Medicaid or Medicare. The program allows the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to manage enrollment, potentially with help from a third-party contractor, and requires a specific federal waiver approval before it can begin. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated fund to finance the program's operations and administration, ensuring it has the necessary resources to function.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new funding programs within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support technology-based startups and university-led innovation projects. The first program offers $50,000 grants to startups located in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area, while the second pilot program provides incentives for technology businesses founded by students or faculty at local universities. To qualify for the university program, participating schools must contribute up to $50,000 annually, and projects must focus on creating new businesses, commercializing products, or fostering inclusive entrepreneurial development. The legislation also removes a previous requirement for funding a telework assistance grant program and sets aside $1.5 million for the university pilot program for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill creates a state income tax credit for individuals who harvest antlerless deer and donate the meat to specific nonprofit organizations. To qualify, hunters must follow state laws and donate the processed venison to a 501(c)(3) group that sells or offers donated food for sale. The credit covers up to $300 of butchering and processing costs per deer, with a maximum total credit of $600 per year that cannot be carried over to future years. Additionally, the law grants donors immunity from civil liability for the condition of the donated meat and requires donation programs to report donor names and deer counts to the state comptroller annually.