Rep. Robbyn Lewis

Maddy summaryHB 862 requires railroad companies operating freight trains on tracks shared with passenger or commuter trains in Maryland to maintain a minimum crew of two people. This applies to most freight movement but excludes hostler service and yard operations for utility employees. Violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per incident, with railroad companies held solely responsible for employee violations. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, contingent on similar legislation passing in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Maddy summaryHB 107 establishes a pilot program requiring drivers whose licenses face suspension or revocation for specific traffic violations (like speeding or reckless driving) to install and use an intelligent speed assistance system (which monitors and limits vehicle speed) during their suspension period. Participants receive a restricted license mandating the system's use, with fees required unless the driver qualifies as indigent. The program requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to certify service providers, set standards for the systems, and monitor compliance, with failure to participate resulting in continued license suspension. This pilot program applies only to drivers accumulating points for violations listed in the bill, such as speeding or failing to yield.

Maddy summaryHB 816 changes the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund's purpose to require that it provide financial security "at affordable rates" for eligible residents who cannot obtain insurance from regular companies. It authorizes the Fund's Executive Director to establish an affordability program that may bypass standard rate regulations under Maryland insurance law. This program would help lower insurance costs for qualifying drivers by allowing the Fund to set rates based on affordability rather than typical industry factors. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland's insurance code to implement these changes, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 919 establishes the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The program provides grants directly to minorities residing in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities who aim to become real estate appraisers. Its key mechanisms include closing appraisal gaps in these communities, diversifying the appraisal field, and supporting individuals pursuing PAREA certification. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the grants starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 modifies Maryland's Family Investment Program to protect individuals receiving Temporary Cash Assistance from losing benefits due to noncooperation with child support. It establishes specific "good cause" exceptions - such as domestic violence, homelessness, housing crises, child care barriers, or situations where cooperation would harm a child (e.g., incest, rape, or pending adoption) - that prevent the Department of Human Services from denying, reducing, or terminating assistance. The bill requires the Secretary to define these criteria and allows individuals to prove good cause through a simple oral or written statement, without needing written evidence, third-party verification, or paying for notarization. This directly affects low-income families navigating child support requirements while maintaining access to critical cash aid.

Maddy summaryHB 1300 updates Maryland's Commission for Women by changing how its executive director is appointed and clarifying the Commission's responsibilities. It removes the Secretary of Human Services' authority to appoint the director, stating the director will be a regular state employee (not a "special appointee") and receive standard state compensation. The bill revises the Commission's duties to focus on conducting studies, supporting programs, and advocating for policies that promote equality for women, including career development, violence prevention, and economic opportunities. These changes directly affect the Commission's operations and its executive director, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1110 modifies notice requirements for counties or municipalities seeking to foreclose on vacant or abandoned properties due to unpaid taxes. It replaces a specific requirement to mail notices within 5 days of filing with standard legal service procedures under Maryland Rules. The bill maintains existing rules that require taxes to be delinquent for at least 6 months and that properties must have been cited as vacant/unfit for habitation. This change directly affects property owners (interested parties) whose properties are subject to tax foreclosure actions.

Maddy summaryHB 1219 requires the University System of Maryland to study how climate change affects homeowner insurance availability and costs, alongside emergency preparedness. The study must examine climate impacts on insurance markets, federal disaster funding policies, and local disaster recovery resources. It will coordinate with state agencies (like the Insurance Administration and Emergency Management) and local emergency managers. The University must submit findings and recommendations - including potential tax credits, insurance rate adjustments, and funding strategies - by January 1, 2027. This is a research effort only, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 894, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates qualifying transit-oriented developments (near rail stations with at least hourly service Monday-Friday 8am-6pm) as enterprise zones, granting tax incentives without separate approval. The bill requires the Maryland Development Corporation to prioritize redevelopment projects near transit in its loan programs and delays certain development fees for residential housing projects. It also changes local land use regulations near transit stations by altering municipal authority to restrict development in these areas.

Maddy summaryHB 474, the "Clear Before You Drive Act," prohibits drivers in Maryland from operating or towing vehicles with accumulated snow or ice on exposed surfaces - including windshields, roofs, windows, and truck trailers - that poses a safety threat. It directly affects all vehicle operators, requiring snow/ice removal before driving, with fines starting at $25 for first-time noncommercial vehicle violations and escalating to $200 for repeated offenses. The bill also imposes higher penalties - $200-$1,000 for noncommercial or $500-$1,500 for commercial vehicles - if snow/ice contributes to accidents causing property damage, injury, or death. Key provisions mandate pre-drive snow removal and establish tiered fines based on vehicle type and offense history.