Sen. Ben Brooks

Maddy summarySB 431, the Registered Apprenticeship Investments for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act, creates new programs to expand apprenticeships in Maryland. It allows the State Board of Plumbing to waive journey plumber license exams for those completing approved apprenticeships and authorizes the Secretary of Labor to waive exams for other licenses after approved training. The bill establishes the Maryland Apprenticeship Incentive Pay Per Apprentice Program, which provides payments to employers for each apprentice they train, funded by a new nonlapsing special fund. These changes directly affect apprentices, employers offering training, and licensing boards by reducing barriers to entry and incentivizing employer participation in registered apprenticeship programs.

Maddy summarySB 315 changes the composition of the Maryland Environmental Service's Board of Directors by replacing the State Treasurer with the Secretary of Planning or their designee. The bill directly affects the Service's governance structure, altering who serves as a voting member on the board. Key mechanisms include removing the Treasurer position and modifying term provisions to exempt the Secretary of Planning and Executive Director from standard board term rules. This is a procedural change to board membership, not a substantive policy shift.

Maddy summarySB 130 requires all Maryland county school boards to create and enforce a policy banning student use of cellular devices (including smartphones and tablets) during instructional time, defined as the school day except lunch. The policy must mandate secure storage of devices and include disciplinary measures for violations, while allowing exceptions for students with documented health needs, IEP/504 accommodations, or educator-directed educational use. It affects all public school students, parents, and school staff in Maryland’s 24 county school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all county boards of education.

Maddy summarySB 601 requires Maryland county superintendents to allow advance enrollment for dependent children of service members relocating due to military orders. It mandates a remote registration process (no fees or in-person visits) and requires schools to coordinate with parents and sending states to avoid delays for children with disabilities receiving special education. The bill also requires the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families to publish clear information about enrollment procedures and available support services. This directly affects military-connected students, their families, and school districts across Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 1040 (FEDERAL Jobs Act of 2025) creates an Expedited Hiring Program within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management to recruit former federal employees for state government positions. It directly affects eligible applicants who previously worked for the federal government for at least one year and left after January 15, 2025, as well as state appointing authorities responsible for filling vacancies. Key provisions require appointing authorities to fill eligible vacancies within 40 days, modify job descriptions to appeal to former federal workers, and implement marketing, applicant rating, and referral processes. The program aims to leverage federal expertise for state roles while operating under the State Personnel Management System.

Maddy summarySB 683 (Protect Our Federal Workers Act) renames the "Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund" to the "Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund" and expands its eligibility. The bill allows Maryland to use funds from the Catastrophic Event Account to assist federal workers affected by closures, relocations, or mass layoffs of federal offices (beyond just government shutdowns). It specifically adds these new circumstances to the Fund’s purpose, enabling loans to Maryland-resident federal employees who lost pay during shutdowns *or* were terminated due to federal facility changes beyond their control. The bill modifies existing Maryland law (Sections 7-324 and 7-327) to formalize these changes, ensuring the Fund remains continuously available for these purposes.

Maddy summarySB 427, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland’s economic development structure by replacing the Maryland Economic Development Commission with the Maryland Economic Competitiveness Fund and creating new programs like the Strategic Closing Fund. It modifies eligibility and funding rules for tax credits (including film production and biotechnology incentives), prioritizes applications in RISE zones for development projects, and waives filing fees for businesses in Regional Institution Strategic Enterprise zones. The bill alters how certain economic development funds are distributed, repeals outdated programs like the Small Business Development Financing Authority, and adjusts tax credit calculations for businesses and investors. These changes directly affect state agencies managing economic development, businesses seeking incentives, and communities participating in RISE zones.

Maddy summarySB 428 establishes Maryland’s Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program to incentivize farmers adopting conservation practices that protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The bill creates a special fund to support tiered recognition for farmers who implement specific practices like cover crops, riparian buffers, soil health management, and community-focused initiatives (e.g., supporting local food systems or mentoring new farmers). It directly affects Maryland farmers participating in the program, requiring the Department of Agriculture to develop evaluation criteria and promote eligible practices that reduce nutrients/sediment while enhancing farm profitability. Key provisions include defining "community best practices," mandating the Department to coordinate with conservation and agricultural groups, and authorizing state funds to accelerate adoption of these environmentally beneficial farming methods.

Maddy summarySB 342, the "Voting Rights Act of 2025," prohibits counties and municipalities from using election methods that dilute or abridge voting rights for protected classes (defined as racial, color, or language minority groups under federal law). It directly affects voters in these local jurisdictions by requiring election systems to allow members of protected classes to elect candidates of their choice. The key mechanism establishes that a violation occurs if elections show "polarized voting" (where voting patterns differ between protected classes and the broader electorate) and the election method dilutes their voting strength. Courts must evaluate this using federal methodologies for enforcing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, applying only to local county and municipal elections - not statewide contests.

Maddy summarySB 929 creates a Workgroup on Mail-In Ballot Accessibility to study and improve mail-in voting processes, specifically focusing on accessibility for voters with disabilities. The Workgroup includes state officials, disability advocacy representatives, and experts in accessibility, election security, and cybersecurity, and will examine current ballot return procedures, assess the impact of paper-only requirements, and evaluate accessible alternatives from other states. It must submit findings and recommendations - including potential policy changes - to the Governor and legislature by December 31, 2025. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, and expires June 30, 2026, without requiring further legislative action.