Sen. Ben Brooks

Maddy summarySB 937 requires Maryland's Energy Administration to coordinate with state agencies and neighboring states to advance new nuclear power projects, including cost-sharing agreements and federal site partnerships. It establishes a new process for approving nuclear energy generation projects and mandates that electric companies procure nuclear energy from a special fund. The bill prohibits electricity suppliers from selling power directly to large commercial/industrial customers (defined as those with 100+ megawatt demand) without using the state's transmission system. These changes directly affect electricity suppliers, nuclear developers, and large energy users by restructuring procurement, financing, and sales rules for nuclear power.

Maddy summarySB 369, the "Raymono A. Russell Act," requires public libraries in Maryland (excluding school libraries) to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a visible, accessible location, maintain its functionality, and ensure a staff member trained in AED use is present during all open hours starting January 1, 2026. The bill specifically includes state libraries, regional systems (like Enoch Pratt in Baltimore), and specialized libraries (e.g., for the blind or deaf), but explicitly excludes school library media programs. It also grants legal immunity to libraries and trained individuals for using AEDs under the law’s requirements. This is a direct safety mandate targeting public library operators, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summarySB 587 establishes the Maryland Reparations Commission to study historical inequities and recommend potential benefits for affected residents. The commission, composed of 13 members including state officials, historians, community leaders, and representatives from organizations like the NAACP and Black Chamber of Commerce, will examine Maryland's history of slavery and discriminatory policies (such as redlining and housing segregation) from 1877-1965. It must submit a preliminary report by January 2027 and a final report by November 2027, analyzing types of reparations used elsewhere (e.g., monetary payments, tax rebates, or education support) and identifying eligible individuals whose ancestors were enslaved or impacted by discriminatory policies. The bill does not implement reparations but mandates a formal study to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summarySB 37 requires investor-owned electric companies in Maryland to submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission detailing all recorded votes cast by the company or its affiliates at regional transmission organization meetings. The bill mandates that companies report every recorded vote (including those not otherwise disclosed) regardless of whether the vote reflects a final position or the voter's authority. Reports must be submitted by February 1 each year covering the prior calendar year's voting activity. This transparency measure applies to all electric companies participating in regional transmission organizations, excluding municipal utilities, and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 96 requires new buildings and certain renovations to install water bottle filling stations (replacing or adding to drinking fountains) starting October 1, 2025. It directly affects developers and builders of new construction or renovations where drinking fountains are required under plumbing codes. The bill defines these stations as fixtures for filling personal containers (10+ inches tall), including filtered/cooling options, and directs the Maryland Department of Labor to create regulations. The law applies prospectively to projects under contract after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a producer responsibility program requiring companies that make packaging and paper products to submit approved plans to the Maryland Department of the Environment by 2034. Under the new rules, producers must either create their own recycling and collection plans or join a producer responsibility organization that manages these responsibilities on their behalf. The bill also creates a new advisory council to oversee the program, requires independent assessments of statewide recycling needs every ten years, and allows local governments to request reimbursement from producers for certain program costs. Companies cannot sell or distribute covered packaging materials in Maryland unless they have an approved plan on file with the state.

Maddy summarySB 602 requires Maryland county school boards to publish online a list of special education service delivery models available for both public school students and children with disabilities whose parents choose private schools (not those placed by public agencies). This list must include all models used within the school system and those provided specifically to privately-placed students. The bill mandates clear online disclosure to increase transparency for parents making education decisions. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames Maryland's Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program to honor former Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. It updates the program's official name throughout state law to "Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Program" without changing the program's structure, funding, or operations. The renaming applies to all references in Maryland's Natural Resources and State Government codes, including funding provisions and program administration details. The program - administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and focused on environmental conservation projects - remains unchanged in its purpose and implementation.

Maddy summarySB 293 requires every member of a Maryland county board of education to complete antibias training at least once during their term. The training must address reducing implicit bias, cultural awareness, and discrimination against historically marginalized groups including racial minorities, religious minorities, and others based on identity factors like sexual orientation or disability. It must be evidence-based, incorporate real incidents of bullying or harassment reported under existing law, and be separate from training required for school employees. The bill amends Maryland law to establish this requirement, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 451 requires Maryland's Department of Labor to allow adult learners to take all components of the General Educational Development (GED) exam in their preferred language, rather than only in English. This directly affects adults seeking high school diplomas through examination, particularly non-native English speakers and English language learners under 21 with interrupted education. The bill also mandates the Department to study offering the exam in additional languages and report findings to legislative committees by December 2026. These changes aim to make the diploma-by-examination process more accessible for diverse language learners.