SB 1028 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Natural Resources - Vessels - Carbon Monoxide Warning Labels (Matthew's Law)

SB 1028 requires all gasoline-powered vessels operated on Maryland waters to have carbon monoxide warning labels affixed in conspicuous locations near both the transom and helm. This law directly affects boat operators, including recreational and commercial users, by mandating these labels as a condition of operation. The bill amends Maryland's State Boat Act to prohibit operation without these labels, effective October 1, 2025. It creates a specific, enforceable safety requirement for vessel operators without specifying additional safety outcomes or enforcement details.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 19, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Natural Resources - Vessels - Carbon Monoxide Warning Labels (Matthew's Law) → Enrolled - Natural Resources - Vessels - Carbon Monoxide Warning Labels (Matthew's Law) · 2 edits · May 13, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled for the Governor's signature, transitioning from a draft Senate version to an official enrolled bill with standard legal formatting. The substantive policy language regarding carbon monoxide warning labels on gasoline-powered vessels remains unchanged, except for minor clarifications in the text to specify that the warning labels must be placed on vessels with cabins, closed living spaces, swim platforms, or aft lounging areas.

Scope change

The scope of the warning label requirement was slightly expanded to explicitly include swim platforms and aft lounging areas in addition to cabins and closed living spaces.

REQUIREMENT

The definition of vessels requiring warning labels was clarified to explicitly include swim platforms and aft lounging areas alongside cabins and closed living spaces.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was updated to reflect its status as an 'Enrolled Bill' with added spaces for proofreaders and the Governor's signature, removing internal Senate tracking numbers.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

41–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 46

Mar 20, 2025

D Democratic33

29 Yea 4

87% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 450

executive

Apr 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 5, 2025

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (41-0-5)

senate

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion Laid Over (Senator Bailey) Adopted

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 21, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Committee

First Reading Senate Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors