Sen. Brian Feldman

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 5 removes the sunset provision (termination date) for Maryland's State-Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Program, making it permanent. It changes the requirement for the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to implement the program from mandatory ("shall") to discretionary ("may"), and adds a condition that the Exchange cannot proceed if specific funding isn't available. The program provides subsidies to young adults aged 18-40 with incomes between 133% and 400% of the federal poverty level to reduce their individual health insurance premiums. This bill modifies key sections of Maryland's Insurance Code to reflect these structural changes to the program's funding and implementation.

Maddy summarySB 299 modifies Maryland law to streamline registration for cannabis agents working as security guards. It removes the requirement for these agents to obtain separate state/national criminal history checks if they are already authorized to provide security services under existing security guard licensing laws (per § 36-501(c)(2)). The bill affects cannabis agents employed by cannabis businesses or security agencies, requiring only standard security guard authorization instead of dual checks. It also mandates annual responsible vendor training for these agents and validates pre-July 2023 registrations. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 931, the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, streamlines permitting for solar energy projects by limiting local government authority to block or delay them. It prohibits jurisdictions from denying site plans for solar facilities or energy storage under certain conditions, requires expedited reviews for qualifying projects, and mandates automatic enrollment programs for community solar. The bill also sets specific requirements for residential rooftop solar installations and requires the Public Service Commission to study potential partnerships for renewable energy. These changes directly affect solar developers, local governments, and residents who may participate in community solar programs. The law alters how the Public Service Commission evaluates projects, emphasizing climate science and grid reliability while reducing local regulatory hurdles.

Maddy summarySB 764 designates chromite as Maryland's official state mineral, recognizing its historical significance in the state's mining heritage. The bill adds "Chromite is the State Mineral" to Maryland's legal code, referencing its discovery in Baltimore County in 1808, its role in early chromium production (including Isaac Tyson, Jr.'s contributions), and its presence in multiple Maryland counties. This symbolic designation has no practical policy impact - it does not change regulations, funding, or responsibilities. The law takes effect October 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 109 requires Maryland school boards (including county boards and Baltimore City's Board of School Commissioners) to annually certify by October 1 to the State Ethics Commission that they comply with the Maryland Public Ethics Law. This applies to both school board members and, where relevant, local school system officials and employees. The bill mandates this certification as a new requirement under Section 5-816 of the Maryland Code, effective October 1, 2025. It directly affects all public school boards by adding a formal, yearly compliance verification step.

Maddy summarySB 378 establishes a Family Literacy Pilot Program through the Maryland State Library Agency, allowing incarcerated individuals to record themselves reading children's books to their children. The program directly affects incarcerated parents, their children, and correctional facilities participating in the pilot. Key provisions include selecting four facilities (representing Maryland's regions and including both male and female facilities), providing free children's books in multiple languages, securing parental permission, and enabling incarcerated individuals to prepare and share recordings. The State Library Agency must report on the program's results to the General Assembly by December 1, 2028, and the program expires automatically on December 31, 2028.