Del. Barry Beauchamp

Maddy summaryHB 1238 creates a new "liquor tasting license" for Somerset County, allowing businesses with existing Class A beer, wine, and liquor licenses to offer free liquor tastings. The license permits customers to try up to half an ounce per offering (with a maximum of five offerings daily) without charge, strictly for sampling purposes. Businesses must pay fees based on duration - $20 for one day, $200 for 26 days, $300 for 52 days, or $400 for 104 days - added to their standard Class A license costs. The bill applies exclusively to Somerset County and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 425 exempts licensed auctioneers acting on behalf of sellers (without taking title to the vessel) from being classified as "dealers" under Maryland's State Boat Act. This change specifically affects auctioneers who sell boats for owners or secured parties, such as lienholders, where title passes directly to the buyer. The bill amends the State Boat Act by adding a clear exclusion to the definition of "dealer" in Section 8-701(c)(3), ensuring auctioneers aren't subject to dealer licensing requirements when operating under these conditions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 580 updates outdated terminology in Maryland law by replacing "Maryland State Firemen’s Association" with "Maryland State Firefighters Association" across multiple statutes. It specifically amends references in sections covering courts, education, health, labor, public safety, tax, and transportation laws. The bill does not change any policies or programs but ensures legal documents consistently use the modernized name for the association. This affects how the association is referenced in state law but does not alter its responsibilities or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 857 allows licensed Maryland deer hunters who wound a deer during legal hunting hours to pursue and kill it after hours, provided they use only the same hunting method authorized for their season (e.g., archery or firearms). The bill amends Maryland’s natural resources law (Section 10-428 of the Annotated Code) to create this exception to standard hunting hour restrictions. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources must adopt regulations to implement the new rule, which takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed deer hunters who wound deer during legal hours but cannot complete the harvest before closing.

Maddy summaryHB 967 legalizes the 2025 Edition of Somerset County's Code of Public Local Laws and any related supplements, confirming they contain valid laws enacted by Maryland's General Assembly. This procedural bill ensures the code is officially recognized as evidence of law in all state courts and by public officials, replacing the need for separate citation of individual statutes. It affects Somerset County by formally adopting its updated local law code, effective July 1, 2025, without creating new policies or changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryHB 844 increases annual salaries for specific Somerset County officials by raising their pay rates: the Sheriff from $85,000 to $105,000, County Commissioners from $10,000 to $12,000, the President of Commissioners from $11,000 to $13,000, County Roads Board members from $10,000 to $12,000, and the President of the Roads Board from $11,000 to $13,000. These changes apply only to terms beginning after October 1, 2025, and do not affect current officeholders serving terms starting before that date. The bill amends existing Maryland law sections governing county salaries and explicitly states it does not apply retroactively to current terms. The adjustments take effect at the start of the next elected term following the October 2025 effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 446 creates a new commercial fishing license specifically for harvesting blue and flathead catfish using trotlines in the Chesapeake Bay. It directly affects licensed commercial fishers by allowing them to fish in the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a location previously restricted by Department regulations. The bill prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from banning this activity within that area while requiring license holders to pay a $15 annual fee for a one-year license. This establishes a permanent regulatory framework for targeted commercial fishing of these species, rather than implementing a temporary pilot program.

Maddy summaryHB 791 authorizes Somerset County Commissioners to impose a property tax specifically to fund emergency services (fire, rescue, and emergency medical services) for all properties subject to the county's property tax. It requires the county to hold a public hearing during the annual budget process before initially imposing or increasing the tax, and mandates advance public notice of this hearing. The tax would be collected like other county property taxes, with unpaid amounts becoming a lien on property and accruing interest/penalties at the same rate as unpaid property taxes. This bill takes effect June 1, 2025, applying to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 320 prohibits individuals from standing in roadways, median dividers, or intersections in Wicomico County to ask drivers for money or donations. It amends Maryland’s transportation code (Section 21-507(c)) to explicitly include Wicomico County among counties where such solicitation is banned, extending an existing restriction that previously applied to other counties. The law directly affects people attempting to solicit funds from vehicle occupants in these specific public spaces within Wicomico County. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1558 restricts fundraising activities for Maryland state elected officials during legislative sessions. It prohibits the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Treasurer, and state legislators (or their staff acting on their behalf) from receiving contributions, hosting events, soliciting funds, or depositing money raised during the session - except for specific cases. Exceptions include activities solely for their own federal or local election campaigns, contributions made electronically before the session began, and gubernatorial campaign financing under the Public Financing Act. Violations result in civil penalties paid into the Fair Campaign Financing Fund.