Sen. Brian Feldman

Maddy summarySB 787 authorizes Maryland’s Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to serve as the primary project manager for major state information technology development projects meeting specific criteria, such as costing $5 million or more or supporting critical public services like health, safety, or education. The bill requires MEDC to collaborate with state agencies and vendors on defining project scope, managing budgets/schedules, mitigating risks, ensuring transparency, and delivering projects successfully. MEDC must identify a pilot project for this role by a specified date and evaluate alternative financing options for qualifying projects. This change directly affects state agencies managing large-scale IT initiatives, shifting project management responsibilities to MEDC while maintaining existing funding structures.

Maddy summarySB 726 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to provide a free, mandatory professional development course on educator well-being to all school staff and administrators by July 1, 2027. The course must cover eight well-being dimensions - social, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and financial - based on federal guidelines. Schools can deliver the course through existing materials or new content, at rates matching standard professional development. This policy directly affects educators across Maryland's public schools, aiming to support their personal and professional health.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland's Department of Agriculture to create a new hemp manufacturing license, allowing licensed businesses to legally produce, store, and transport hemp extracts. It mandates strict tracking through chain of custody documentation and requires independent testing to verify product quality and compliance. The law also establishes clear THC content standards for finished products to distinguish them from cannabis items and provides legal protection for those holding valid licenses. These changes aim to formalize and regulate the hemp manufacturing industry while maintaining safety and quality controls.

Maddy summarySB 779 exempts professional employer organizations (PEOs) from certain health benefit plan requirements when offering coverage to small employers in Maryland. It directly affects small businesses that use PEOs for employee benefits and the PEOs themselves. The bill requires PEOs to provide written disclosure of plan details to small employers before offering coverage, while removing the need for PEOs to comply with standard health plan mandates like offering plans through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. This change simplifies access to health benefits for small employers using PEOs.

Maddy summarySB 505, the Aviation Health and Safety Act, requires the Maryland Aviation Administration to create medical and legal forms for passengers traveling involuntarily in restraints (detained individuals). Flight crews must distribute and collect these forms, which document medical history, allergies, legal contact info, and guardian details for minors. Aeronautical service providers (like fueling companies) must verify the forms are on board before servicing aircraft and compile monthly reports on compliance. The bill also prohibits refueling an aircraft with a restrained passenger onboard and mandates that restrained individuals removed for refueling receive specific services. This directly affects detained travelers, flight crews, and aviation service providers operating in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 34 updates Maryland's requirements for becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). It increases the required practical work experience from 1,000 hours to 2,000 hours for most applicants (applying on or after October 1, 2000), and to 4,000 hours for those seeking licensure under a specific pathway. The bill also mandates a 150-semester-hour educational requirement, including an accounting concentration, and specifies accredited institutions for degree validation. These changes directly affect individuals seeking CPA licensure in Maryland, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 281 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual capital grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA, the Washington Suburban Transit District, and collective bargaining units, mandating WMATA to submit detailed safety, financial, and ridership reports annually. Key provisions include withholding funds if WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, fails to develop a rail signaling transition plan by July 2028, or terminates rail operators due to automation. The bill also requires the Governor to include specific appropriations for WMATA's capital costs and Metrorail subsidies in the state budget. This legislation is contingent on Virginia and D.C. enacting similar funding measures.

Maddy summarySB 304 prevents Maryland auto insurers from raising premiums, adding fees, or removing discounts for private vehicle insurance when a driver has an accident with a free-roaming wild animal (like a deer) and wasn't at fault. It directly affects car insurance policyholders who experience such unavoidable collisions. The law specifically prohibits insurers from using these accident types as a reason to penalize customers through price increases or loss of discounts. The rule takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 294 changes how the Maryland Cybersecurity Council is led and who serves on it. Starting October 1, 2025, the Council will elect its own chair every two years instead of the Attorney General serving as chair. The bill adds specific membership requirements, including five cybersecurity company representatives (with at least three from small companies under 50 employees), four business association representatives, and up to ten higher education representatives. This directly affects small cybersecurity firms, business associations, and educational institutions that will now have formal representation on the Council.

Maddy summarySB 357 creates a process for Maryland's Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set price limits ("upper payment limits") on prescription drugs causing affordability challenges for Marylanders. The Board must consider costs like administration and delivery when setting limits, and must reconsider or suspend limits if a drug faces a shortage (defined as appearing on the federal shortage list or determined by the Board). The bill prohibits applying these limits to drugs on federal shortage lists, Medicare Part C/D reimbursements, or pharmacy dispensing fees. This directly affects all Maryland residents using prescription drugs, insurers, and health plans through changes to how drug costs are managed in the state.