The House advanced two bills to strengthen protections for renters and promoting safer housing. HB80 requires landlords to clearly disclose all mandatory and optional fees before a lease is signed, helping renters avoid unexpected costs. HB153 requires larger residential rental properties to provide functioning air conditioning during the summer months, ensuring families, seniors, and children can live in safe and healthy conditions during extreme heat.

Two bills that I co-sponsored to improve transportation accountability and safety also passed the House this week. HB386, the Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026, strengthens oversight of funding for the Washington Metro system by requiring a workforce transition plan before the state provides full capital support, ensuring responsible planning as rail automation advances. HB474, the Clear Before You Drive Act, requires drivers to remove snow and ice from their vehicles before hitting the road, helping prevent dangerous debris from causing crashes or injuries. 

Yesterday was the most heart-wrenching of my hearings, HB1221, the Jillian and Lindsay Wiener Short-Term Rental Fire Safety Act. The bill is named in honor of Montgomery County sisters who tragically died in a short-term rental house fire in 2022 while vacationing with their family. If passed, this would require short-term rental properties to be equipped with adequate fire safety measures, and mandate that counties confirm and enforce compliance.

Their mom, Alisa Wiener, came to Annapolis to testify, and co-sponsor Del. Tom Hutchinson (R-Eastern Shore) joined us with a photo of Jillian and Lindsay. 

HB1037/SB605-- Broadband Accountability and Affordability Act-- allows the Public Service Commission to oversee broadband and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services, review Internet providers’ plans, and conduct audits.

HB1071/SB861-- Environment - Stormwater Management - Agricultural Land-- requires the Department of the Environment to create regulations and a model ordinance for local programs to enforce stormwater rules on agricultural lands.

HB1147/SB842-- Public Service Commission Flexibility Act-- establishes the PSC's authority as an essential government function, updates the duties of the Commission, and requires annual reporting, recordkeeping, and audits.

HB1164-- Water and Sewage Disposal Companies – Rate Consolidation and Limited–Income Mechanisms-- directs the Public Service Commission to approve combining rates across multiple water or sewer systems, allows companies to pool revenues and costs, and permit gradual rate adjustments, including tools to support limited-income customers.

HB10/SB64-- Legal Advertisement or Legal Notice - Publication in Newspaper or Newspaper in General Circulation - Digital Newspapers-- 

Would allow required legal notices to be published in both print and online format. This bill passed the Judiciary Committee today, and it will be on the House floor next week.

HB14-- County Boards of Education - Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation - Information Collection and Reporting Requirements-- Gives parents and students more information about incidents of bullying, harassment or intimidation in our public schools. It awaits a vote in the Ways & Means Committee.

The House voted unanimously in favor of my bill, HB30, Public Safety - Department of State Police - Police-Initiated Towing - Alterations. It defines “light-duty towing” and establishes guidelines for light-duty towing and recovery rates.

House members voted overwhelmingly in favor of my HB35/SB266-- Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Tree of Heaven, which authorizes counties and municipalities regulate the planting, sale and continued growth of invasive trees of heaven, Ailanthis altissima.

HB43/SB459-- Local Newspapers for Maryland Communities Act of 2026-- requires state government to spend at least 50% of the budget for print and digital advertising with Maryland news organizations. This is in Government, Labor, and Elections.

HB50/SB5-- General Assembly - Special Election to Fill a Vacancy in Office-- would allow voters to decide on a Constitutional Amendment to require a special election for General Assembly seats initially filled by appointment in the first two years of a four-year term. The Senate cross-file has passed the Senate, and my bill awaits a vote in Government, Labor, and Elections.

HB106/SB6-- State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Nontenure Track Faculty-- allows these faculty the right to form a union and bargain for better pay and working conditions. It is still in the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee.

HB141/SB84-- State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants-- allows them the right to form a union and bargain for better pay and working conditions. This bill received a favorable vote today from the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee.

Government, Labor, and Elections is also considering HB167-- Gasoline-Powered Leaf Blowers - Purchase and Use - Prohibitions, which phases out the use of gasoline powered leaf blowers by state agencies and state contractors on state property.

House members voted overwhelmingly in favor of my bill, HB210, the Out-of-State Driver Accountability Act. This makes it easier to collect fines from out-of-state drivers caught by traffic cameras while in our state.

HB817/SB625-- Carbon Removal Technology and Practices - Regulations and Use of Funding-- would establish clear air-quality regulations for carbon removal technologies and allow state funding to support related projects. Environment and Transportation is considering this bill.

Grace Snively (1913–2014) was a dedicated community leader whose decades of service helped improve public health and expand civic participation in Western Maryland. In the 1950s, Snively worked as a volunteer medical educator, going door-to-door in Hagerstown to provide women with information about cervical cancer screening and distribute early Pap smear kits through the American Cancer Society. Her persistence helped women, particularly Women of Color, overcome fear of the new procedure and embrace life-saving early detection.

When you file your tax return this year, you could qualify for up to $4,000 through the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). That's money you've earned through your work that can help you reduce what you owe in taxes or increase your tax refund.

Visit MarylandComptroller.gov/Earnedlt to find out if you're eligible and find help filing your taxes for free.

Starting January 2027, the Public Service Commission will offer lower utility rates for recipients of the Office of Home Energy Programs. Enroll in OHEP now to access current utility assistance and qualify for next year’s reduced rates.

Do you know someone attending college or graduate school this fall? If they live in District 15, encourage them to apply for my scholarship! Applications will be accepted here through April 30th.

Don't hesitate to reach out to me at Linda.Foley@house.maryland.gov

with any questions or concerns, or if you wish to meet with me.

You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram, plus Threads, TikTok and Bluesky.

Thank you for the privilege and honor to represent you and the other residents of District 15 in Annapolis. 

Linda Foley

Delegate, District 15, Maryland General Assembly

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