Sen. Ben Brooks

Maddy summarySB 983 establishes a new "distributed generation certificate of public convenience and necessity" required for small solar projects (like rooftop or ground-mounted systems) before construction begins. It prohibits counties from using zoning laws to restrict or block ground-mounted solar installations. The bill also creates a Small Solar Siting Workgroup to develop statewide model policies and siting guidelines for solar energy systems. This directly affects solar developers (who must obtain the certificate) and local governments (which can no longer block solar via zoning).

Maddy summarySB 943 requires petitioners in Maryland domestic violence cases to provide detailed information about respondents' firearms (e.g., make/model, storage locations, access points) when seeking protective orders. This affects both victims seeking protection and alleged abusers facing firearm surrender requirements. The bill also establishes a Task Force to study firearm use in domestic violence situations. These changes aim to improve safety planning by giving courts more specific details about firearm risks.

Maddy summarySB 804 (Better Buildings Act of 2025) requires new buildings and major renovations (costing 50% or more of a building's replacement value) in Maryland to meet specific energy standards. It mandates that these buildings must provide all laundry, water, and space heating without fossil fuels, adopt stricter energy conservation measures than the baseline International Energy Conservation Code, and include "electric-ready" and "solar-ready" design features. "Electric-ready" means having sufficient electrical capacity and space for future high-efficiency appliances, while "solar-ready" requires at least 40% of the roof area to be unobstructed for potential solar panel installation. These standards apply to buildings seeking permits after August 1, 1995 (as referenced in the bill, though implementation timelines are defined by the Maryland Department of Labor). The bill updates building codes to prioritize fossil fuel-free operations and renewable energy infrastructure in new construction.

Maddy summarySB 805 updates Maryland's legal definition of "first responder" to explicitly include three specific roles within the Department of Transportation: Emergency Response Technicians, Facility Maintenance Technicians, and Vehicle Services and Recovery Technicians. This change directly affects these transportation workers, recognizing them as official first responders for 9-1-1 emergency system purposes. The bill amends existing law (Annotated Code of Maryland, Section 1-301(j)) to add these positions to the definition, which previously covered firefighters, paramedics, and other traditional responders. The policy change takes effect October 1, 2025, ensuring these DOT staff are formally acknowledged during emergency calls involving vehicle incidents or roadside assistance.

Maddy summarySB 345 bans the use of pesticides containing PFAS chemicals (a class of fluorinated compounds) in specific settings starting in 2026. It requires the Maryland Department of Agriculture to create and publish a list of all PFAS pesticides by January 2026, prohibiting their use at schools, healthcare facilities, daycares, residential lawns, and commercial mosquito spraying from June 2026. New registrations of PFAS pesticides for sale in Maryland will be banned beginning June 2027, with a complete statewide ban on their use taking effect by June 2028. The bill directly affects pesticide manufacturers, certified applicators, and institutions like schools and hospitals.

Maddy summaryMaryland's SB 346 establishes a refund program for beverage containers to boost recycling and reduce litter. It requires all redeemable containers sold in the state to display refund information, includes the refund value in both wholesale and retail prices, and mandates retailers to show this on customer receipts. Producers must register with the state, pay fees, and join a stewardship organization to manage the program, while counties can create redemption facilities to help meet recycling targets. The law aims to increase container reuse and recycling rates, reduce pollution from discarded containers, and fund public water refill stations through a new grant program. This directly affects beverage producers, retailers, consumers, and local governments managing redemption sites.

Maddy summarySB 659 requires Maryland's Commissioner of Financial Regulation to create consumer protection rules for electronic money transfers initiated by banks and credit unions operating in the state. These regulations must align with federal standards for electronic funds transfers under 15 U.S.C. § 1693(a)(7). The law applies to all financial institutions conducting domestic electronic transfers in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2025. It focuses on standardizing protections without specifying additional elder-focused measures beyond the federal baseline.

Maddy summarySB 490 eliminates citizenship requirements for members of certain Maryland state boards, committees, commissions, task forces, and workgroups. It replaces these requirements with a new mandate that members must "reflect the full diversity of the State to the extent practicable," affecting bodies across health, environment, labor, and public safety sectors. The bill achieves this by repealing and revising specific sections in Maryland’s code (including Business Occupations, Health, Environmental, and Public Safety laws) that previously required citizenship. Key provisions remove barriers for non-citizens to serve on these groups while requiring diversity considerations in appointments. This change applies to over 30 existing state entities as detailed in the bill’s code revisions.

Maddy summarySB 530 expands the statewide application of speed monitoring systems in residential districts by revising Maryland’s vehicle laws. It requires all speed limit signs on highways within residential districts (defined as areas adjacent to residences for at least 300 feet) to display clear signage indicating speed monitoring systems are active. The bill also mandates public notice of system locations, real-time speed displays at certain sites, and ensures signage complies with state traffic control standards. Existing permitted locations (like Indian Head Highway, I-83, and specific school zones) remain unchanged under this statewide rule. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 316, the Abundant Affordable Clean Energy (AACE) Act, requires Maryland's electric companies to submit plans for energy storage devices by specific deadlines and then build or procure them as approved. It establishes new programs to boost solar, wind, and hydro energy, including the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program and Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program, which create renewable energy credits. The bill also changes where certain fees are paid (to an escrow account instead of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund) and updates transmission planning for offshore wind projects. Additionally, it creates zero-emission credits for nuclear facilities and adjusts tax revenue distribution for data centers.