HB 595, the Maryland Energy Independence Act, requires the Public Service Commission to set specific renewable energy targets for electricity generated within Maryland. It mandates that 50% of all electricity sold in the state must come from in-state renewable sources by 2030, rising to 70% by 2035 and 80% by 2040. These targets directly affect electricity providers and the Public Service Commission, which must establish and enforce the goals. The bill amends Maryland law to prioritize locally generated renewable energy, replacing prior standards with these new, time-bound requirements. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.
SB 778 prohibits Maryland's Department of the Environment from requiring owners, lessors, lessees, or operators of agricultural buildings to apply for exemptions from building energy performance standards. It directly affects agricultural building owners (defined as structures primarily used for cultivating, manufacturing, processing, or producing agricultural crops or products, including greenhouses). The bill amends energy standards to explicitly prevent the state agency from demanding exemption applications or documentation for these buildings. This change ensures agricultural buildings are automatically exempt without additional administrative steps, streamlining compliance for farmers and farm-related facilities.
HB 119 repeals Maryland's requirement for the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to conduct annual research and submit reports on issues affecting Black males, including unemployment, criminal justice, education, and health. It also eliminates the authorization for creating an Advisory Committee on Black Males. This bill directly affects the Office by removing its mandated research duties and reporting obligations under Section 9-303.2 of Maryland law. The repeal takes effect October 1, 2025.
SB 380 clarifies definitions for Maryland's horse industry licensing system by creating a specific term for "breeding stable" (an establishment offering horses for sale to the public for breeding or as breeding products) and adding breeding stables to the definition of "horse establishment." This change affects horse breeders operating breeding stables, as they will now fall under the same licensing, inspection, and regulatory requirements as other horse establishments like boarding or lesson stables. The bill modifies existing statutes (Sections 2-701, 2-710, 2-713, 2-714, and 2-715 of the Agriculture Article) to ensure consistent application of the Maryland Horse Industry Board's oversight. The revised definitions take effect October 1, 2025, streamlining how the Board regulates all horse-related operations.
SB 870 prohibits operating any vessel (including kayaks or paddle boats) within 500 yards of an occupied stationary blind used for hunting migratory waterfowl during the open hunting season. This directly affects boaters, anglers, and recreational users near waterfowl hunting areas in Maryland. The bill amends Maryland law by adding Section 8-724.2 to clarify that vessels cannot operate within this buffer zone while blinds are actively being used. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and replaces prior language in Sections 4-512 and 8-701(a)(s) of the Natural Resources article.
HB 880 repeals Maryland's ban on outdoor cannabis advertising, specifically removing the prohibition against placing ads on building sides, billboards, or other publicly visible locations (currently under Section 36-903(a)(v)). This change directly affects cannabis businesses seeking to use traditional outdoor signage for marketing. The bill maintains existing restrictions, such as age verification for websites, prohibitions on targeting minors, and requiring 85% adult audiences for digital ads. The repeal takes effect October 1, 2025.
This bill requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration to establish uniform standards for breathalyzer technology to ensure consistent, reliable measurements. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and drivers by mandating that all breathalyzers used in the state must meet these standards. All devices must comply with the new standards starting October 1, 2026, replacing current ad-hoc testing protocols. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, with regulations to be adopted by the Administration.
SB 762 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to expunge administrative investigation records for police officers who are cleared by an administrative charging committee. Specifically, it mandates that records related to misconduct investigations - such as complaints and internal records - must be removed from public access three years after the committee decides not to file administrative charges. This applies only to officers who face no disciplinary action, not to those found guilty of misconduct. The bill changes existing law to allow this expungement, ensuring cleared officers' records are no longer publicly visible after the three-year period.
HB 307 requires boat operators involved in collisions causing injury or death to stay at the scene, provide assistance to those affected, and share their name and vessel details. It establishes fines up to $10,000 or jail time (up to 10 years) for leaving without meeting these duties, with harsher penalties if the operator knew injury or death might occur. Operators must report serious accidents (causing death, injury, or $2,000+ property damage) within 48 hours or 10 days, depending on severity. This applies to all vessels operating in Maryland waters and modifies existing boating safety laws.
HB 518 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all new criminal offense bills passed by Maryland's General Assembly to explicitly state the required mental state (e.g., intent or recklessness) for each offense, unless the bill clearly establishes strict liability. It also mandates the Department of Legislative Services to annually report to legislative committees on existing criminal laws lacking explicit mental state requirements. Additionally, fiscal notes for new criminal offense bills must include an assessment of whether they meet this explicit mental state requirement. This bill affects how future criminal legislation is drafted and reviewed, aiming to clarify legal standards for new offenses.
HB 1307 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies, agents, and local detention facilities to notify federal immigration authorities when they hold individuals with outstanding criminal warrants and to retain custody for up to 48 hours to facilitate transfer. It mandates cooperation with federal authorities to determine if such individuals are priorities for removal under federal enforcement guidelines. The bill prohibits state, local, or county entities from adopting policies that limit this cooperation. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and detention facilities in Maryland, altering how they handle individuals with active criminal warrants in coordination with federal immigration enforcement.
HB 50 modifies Maryland's trust law to clarify when a married individual creating a trust isn't considered the "settlor" for tax purposes, specifically for trusts benefiting their spouse during the spouse's lifetime. It directly affects married Maryland residents who establish certain irrevocable trusts for their spouse's benefit, including those meeting IRS rules for "qualified terminable interest property." The key provision protects trust assets from creditors if the trust meets specific conditions: it benefits the spouse during their lifetime, is irrevocable, and allows the creator to become a beneficiary after the spouse's death through a power of appointment. This changes how these trusts are treated under state law regarding settlor status and creditor claims, effective October 1, 2025.
