Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 386: Electricity Transmission and Distribution, Energy Storage, and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund (Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026)

SB 386 (Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026) requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (over 69,000 volts) in Maryland to join a regional transmission organization. It mandates that applicants seeking permits for new transmission lines must include alternative proposals using advanced transmission technologies and compare their cost-effectiveness. The bill creates a new Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration and directs funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential customers. These changes aim to modernize transmission infrastructure, promote technology adoption, and reduce costs for Maryland ratepayers.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 362: Criminal Law - Child's Access to Firearms - Penalty (Ny'Kala Strawder Act)

SB 362 (the Ny'Kala Strawder Act) amends Maryland law to increase penalties for storing or leaving a loaded firearm where a person knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. It prohibits negligent firearm storage in locations accessible to minors, making violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a $1,000 fine, or both. Exceptions include supervised access by an adult, unlawful entry, law enforcement possession during duties, or a minor with a valid hunter safety certificate. The law also explicitly states violations cannot be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases or referenced during civil trials involving firearm-related injuries or deaths. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 201: Public Utilities - Transmission Lines - Advanced Transmission Technologies

SB 201 modifies Maryland's requirements for approving new overhead transmission lines over 69,000 volts. It requires applicants to include specific details in their applications and mandates the Public Service Commission to consider certain evidence before approving projects. The bill also adds new reporting obligations for owners/operators of existing transmission lines. It defines "advanced transmission technologies" to include grid-enhancing tools, high-performance conductors, and energy storage used for transmission. These changes directly affect electric companies planning or operating high-voltage transmission infrastructure in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 406: Criminal Law - Drug Trafficking Crime - Definition

SB 406 redefines "drug trafficking crime" in Maryland law to include misdemeanor violations of cannabis possession (specifically § 5-602(b)(1) and § 5-603(b)), not just felonies. This means individuals charged with misdemeanor cannabis offenses - like possessing quantities suggesting intent to distribute - will now be subject to firearm restrictions during those offenses. The bill adds that possessing a firearm during such a misdemeanor cannabis violation constitutes a separate felony, carrying a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence for a first offense. It directly affects people facing misdemeanor cannabis charges by expanding the scope of offenses triggering enhanced firearm penalties. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 562: Primary and Secondary Education - Maintenance of Effort - Inflation Adjustment (Maintenance of Effort Modernization Act)

HB 562, the "Maintenance of Effort Modernization Act," updates Maryland's method for calculating annual inflation adjustments in local school funding. It replaces the current formula with a new standard that uses the lesser of three measures: the Consumer Price Index for the Washington Metropolitan Area, a government spending index, or 5%, with 0% if neither index rises. This change requires county governments and Baltimore City to adjust their annual local school funding appropriations based on this new inflation metric, starting July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all Maryland counties and Baltimore City, which are responsible for maintaining local school funding levels.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 233: Education - Public School Construction - Alterations

HB 233 clarifies approval requirements for public school construction projects in Maryland, directly affecting county school boards and the Interagency Commission on School Construction. It requires county boards to obtain pre-approval from the State Superintendent or their designee before proceeding with projects costing over $1 million that alter student-occupied spaces, such as major renovations or additions. The bill modifies reporting deadlines for the Commission (now February 28, May 31, August 31, and November 30 annually), repeals an old requirement to approve 75% of construction funds by December 31, and updates rules for eligibility and reimbursement related to state funding for school construction projects. These changes streamline the approval process and adjust administrative requirements for school facility projects.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 429: Maryland Energy Administration - Study on Land-Based Wind Energy

SB 429 requires the Maryland Energy Administration to study the potential for land-based wind energy generation in Maryland. The study must assess total wind energy potential, identify suitable locations, examine successful mitigation solutions for conflicts with military radar systems (like ADAMS), and evaluate their applicability in Maryland. The Administration may use funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to conduct the study and must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the Maryland Energy Administration and sets a framework for future policy decisions on wind energy development.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 422: Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals - Adoption and Reporting Requirements

SB 422 requires Maryland research and testing facilities that use dogs or cats for research, education, or testing to adopt out animals no longer needed for these purposes. Facilities must establish adoption processes through approved animal rescue organizations and submit annual reports to the Department of Agriculture detailing the number of animals owned, used, and released to rescues. The law applies to all such facilities (excluding those solely providing spay/neuter services) and mandates public posting of aggregated annual data online. It focuses on increasing transparency around animal welfare practices without altering research protocols.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 454: Public Schools - School Resource Officers - Firearms Required

SB 454 requires school resource officers (SROs) to carry firearms while present on the premises of the school to which they are assigned. This bill amends Maryland law (specifically Section 7-1508 of the Education Article) to mandate this requirement, directly affecting all SROs working in public schools. The key provision replaces prior language with a clear directive that SROs must carry firearms on school grounds, while also maintaining existing training requirements focused on de-escalation, disability awareness, and implicit bias. The bill does not change who qualifies as an SRO but specifies the firearm-carrying obligation during school operations.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 724: Employment Discrimination - Caregiver Status

HB 724 prohibits employment discrimination based on "caregiver status" in Maryland. It defines caregiver status as providing ongoing care for a minor child or an individual with a disability who relies on the caregiver for medical care or daily needs, including family members like children, spouses, parents, or others in recognized familial relationships. The bill adds caregiver status to Maryland’s list of protected classes under anti-discrimination law, making it illegal for employers to discriminate in hiring, firing, compensation, or employment terms because of this status. It directly affects workers who are caregivers, ensuring they cannot face workplace bias for their caregiving responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 8, 2026

SB 958: Alcoholic Beverages – Class L Beer, Wine, and Liquor License – Established

SB 958 establishes a new Class L license for manufacturers of beer, wine, and liquor in Maryland. It allows existing manufacturer license holders to sell their own products and provide free samples for on-premises consumption at their production facilities. The license requires an annual $250 fee and matches the sales hours of the underlying manufacturer’s license. This bill directly affects beverage manufacturers seeking to sell directly to customers at their production sites, not restaurants or retailers.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 8, 2026

SB 955: Real Property - Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Elections

SB 955 modifies Maryland law to require independent election conductors for condominium and homeowners association elections only when the number of candidates exceeds the number of contested seats. It affects all residential condominiums and homeowners associations in Maryland by clarifying when third-party oversight is mandated. The bill specifies that independent parties (excluding property management representatives unless they own the management) must handle ballot collection, counting, and results certification, while allowing associations to use external vendors or technology platforms for elections. This change streamlines election procedures by reducing unnecessary oversight requirements for uncontested races.

Bill results