Copyright © 2026 By Authority: Friends of Nicholas Allen; Kathleen Jordan, Treasurer
During my first term, I have been one of the most effective new legislators in the House of Delegates. I have passed impactful bills every year, secured millions of dollars in funding, and delivered real results for the people of District 8, Baltimore County, and Maryland. I am proud to share with you some of the legislation for which I was the primary sponsor, or bills I worked on alongside my colleagues, that have been signed into law by the Governor.
HB273 – Residential Leases – Late Payment Penalties – Calculation protects renters by altering current law regarding the maximum penalty fee a landlord can charge on their tenants. This change prohibits a landlord from charging a fee in excess of 5% of the unpaid rent due, rather than the full amount.
HB475 – Transportation Equality for Service Members Act and
HB494 – Recreational Equality for Service Members Act are part of a larger package of bipartisan bills introduced in the House and the Senate which seek to unify and simplify the definition of “veteran” in the Code of Maryland and ensure all uniformed services veterans receive the benefits they have earned. HB475 updates the transportation article and HB494 updates the agricultural article.
HB513 – Crimes Relating to Animals – Restrictions on Keeping Roosters prohibits keeping roosters movement-constrained by enclosure or a tether with specific exceptions beginning on January 1, 2027. The bill is meant to stop underground cockfighting rings, curb the spread of avian influenza (bird flu), and protect roosters from cruel and inhumane treatment.
HB698 – Local Government – Development Impact Fees, Surcharges, and Excise Taxes – Reporting is focused on government transparency and requires counties to report the collection and use of development impact fees, surcharges, and excise taxes to the Maryland Department of Planning.
HB699 – General Provisions – Veterans Benefits – Honorable Discharge allows Maryland veterans to update their discharge records and disposition if they were discharged as anything less than Honorable under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy or for any other reason the Department of Veterans and Military Families deems necessary. This bill is incredibly important to me.
HB1424 – Protect Our Federal Workers Act pushes back on the chaos coming out of Washington by expanding the authority of the Attorney General to fight in court on behalf of our Federal Workers who live in Maryland. It also authorizes funds to assist Marylanders connected to a relocation, closure, or mass layoff of a unit of the federal government.
HB1526 – Maryland Protecting Opportunities and Regional Trade (PORT) Act requires the Maryland Department of Labor and the Department of Commerce to create temporary relief programs for individuals and certain organizations impacted by the collapse of the Key Bridge and the closure of the
Port of Baltimore. The Governor will be authorized by budget amendment funds from the Revenue
Stabilization Account to fund the temporary relief programs. This bill also states that any federal funds
made available will be used to replace State funds and reimburse the Rainy Day Fund.
HB860 – Housing and Community Development – Community Action Boards requires that a
community action board meet the requirements for a tripartite board under provisions of federal law
governing the federal Community Services Block Grant Program and repeals existing provisions
governing the composition of community action boards under State law. This will allow Community
Action Agencies, such as the Community Action Network (CAN) in Baltimore County, greater
flexibility.
HB1028/SB0951 – Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Workgroup establishes an Electric Vehicle Supply Workgroup, consisting of the Comptroller’s Office, the Department of Agriculture, the Public Service Commission, and other stakeholders, to develop consumer protections and reporting standards for electric vehicle charging stations. Additionally, the work group will make recommendations regarding which governmental entities should have responsibility for ensuring accountability regarding EV charging stations.
HB1461/SB674 – Abandoned or Sunken Vessels and Waterway Improvement Fund Grants requires, beginning in fiscal 2026, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to distribute at least $250,000 annually from the Waterway Improvement Fund (WIF) to a qualifying statewide Maryland-based historic preservation nonprofit organization to establish, operate, and administer a maritime heritage competitive grant program to provide grants to certain entities engaged in maritime heritage preservation, interpretation, or conservation, as specified. The bill also modifies requirements and processes for DNR to contact vessel owners during emergencies and when seizing, removing, or taking into custody abandoned or sunken vessels. Finally, the bill authorizes DNR to establish and administer a voluntary vessel turn-in program that allows State residents to turn in their vessels to the department to be destroyed, subject to specified requirements.
HB598/SB413 – Discrimination – Military Status – Prohibition makes it illegal to discriminate against military service members and military spouses when they apply for housing and for employment.
HB983 – Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, and Outdoor Recreation – Funding, Promotion, Management, Licenses, Permits, and Stamps was written with the goal of increasing outdoor stewardship. The bill establishes the Wildlife Conservation, Education and Outreach Program within the Department of Natural Resources and it increases funding for the Department through Federal Pittman-Robertson Act funds. HB983 also creates a new sika deer stamp for in and out of state hunters. This bill is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for conservation and outreach in Maryland.
HB480/SB286 – Department of Veterans Affairs – Burial in State Veterans’ Cemeteries – Spouses and Dependents requires the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) to bury the eligible spouse or eligible dependent of a Veteran in a State Veterans cemetery without charge. MDVA must provide a grave liner at no cost for the veteran or eligible spouse or dependent. An “eligible spouse” or “eligible dependent” must meet requirements established under federal regulations regarding eligibility for burial in a national Veterans’ cemetery. I am especially proud of this bill, because I have two grandparents buried at a Maryland Veterans Cemetery, and this means they will be able to be laid to rest alongside their spouses.
HB554/SB553 – Keep Our Heroes Home Act enhances the existing military retirement income tax subtraction modification by increasing the maximum amount of military retirement income received by an individual that may be exempted from Maryland income tax. Specifically, this bill will increase the maximum value of the subtraction modification from $5,000 to $12,500 for individuals younger than age 55 and from $15,000 to $20,000 for individuals age 55 and older. This bill is important because the Governor and I want Maryland to be the best place for Veterans and their families to live when their service comes to an end.
Copyright © 2026 By Authority: Friends of Nicholas Allen; Kathleen Jordan, Treasurer