Sen. Cheryl Kagan

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 382 requires manufacturers of powered wheelchairs to provide independent repair providers and wheelchair owners with necessary documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, and tools on fair and reasonable terms. It directly affects wheelchair users and independent repair shops by mandating that manufacturers share repair resources without excessive cost or barriers, such as charging more than the suggested retail price for parts. The bill establishes clear definitions for "independent repair providers" and "fair terms," ensuring access to diagnostics and repair tools at no more than the manufacturer's actual cost for printed materials. This law amends Maryland's Commercial Law to create a new "Subtitle 50" specifically governing powered wheelchair repairs.

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 615 requires that petitions seeking to place ballot questions and the ballot questions themselves include summaries written in plain language, avoiding legal jargon, passive voice, and double negatives. It mandates that petition signature pages and ballot questions feature a clear, concise summary of the proposal’s purpose and a statement explaining the practical outcome of each voting choice. The bill also sets new deadlines for ballot question preparation, requires the State Board of Elections to post relevant information for public comment before elections, and demands that all such summaries meet specific readability standards. This directly affects petition sponsors, voters, and election officials by changing how ballot measures are presented and verified.

Maddy summarySB 543 amends Maryland election law to clarify when provisional ballots for nonpartisan school board elections can be counted. It specifies that if a voter claims a different political party affiliation than their registration but selects a nonpartisan board of education contest (like a local school board election), the vote for that specific contest must be counted. The bill requires local election boards to count only the school board vote in such cases, rather than rejecting the entire provisional ballot. This change directly affects voters who register with one party but vote in nonpartisan school board races, ensuring their school board choice is counted if they claim a different party affiliation. (Based on Sections 11-303(d)(4)(iv) and (e)(3) of the bill.)

Maddy summarySB 534 requires local election boards in Maryland to pay election judges only *after* they serve on election day or early voting day, rather than upfront for training. It sets minimum compensation at $250 per day for new judges and $350 per day for returning judges (an additional $100), plus $50 for completing required training. Public school students can now earn service-learning graduation hours while also receiving election judge pay. The bill changes existing election law to ensure payments align with actual service and affects local election boards, all election judges, and eligible public school students. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 24 updates terminology in Maryland's laws to use more inclusive language. It changes references from "clergyman" to "member of the clergy" and "churches" to "faith institutions and places of worship" across multiple state code sections. The bill affects all existing laws that currently use these outdated terms, including those related to alcohol regulations, business licensing, education, health, and property. This is a purely linguistic update with no new policy requirements or impacts.

Maddy summarySB 105 establishes a no-interest loan program administered by the Maryland Energy Administration to help 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations install renewable energy systems like solar panels or geothermal heating. The bill creates a dedicated Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Fund, which will be partially funded by redirecting money from the existing Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. Nonprofits can use these loans for planning, purchasing, and installing qualifying energy systems that generate on-site electricity or thermal energy while supporting Maryland's environmental goals. The program requires nonprofits to apply through the Administration and will be managed under new sections of state law.

Maddy summarySB 1006 prohibits state entities from requiring artists to waive copyright protections in contracts for public art projects funded by state money. It directly affects artists commissioned for state-funded public art (including projects where state funds indirectly supported the work). The bill bans new contracts from including waiver requirements and prevents courts from enforcing waivers in existing contracts signed before October 1, 2025. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025, ensuring artists retain rights under federal copyright law for state-funded projects.

Maddy summarySB 8 establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program, a voluntary initiative for public school systems in Maryland to recognize student civic engagement. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, participating schools must award a "Seal of Civic Excellence" to students who pass a government assessment, earn A or B grades in U.S. history, modern world history, and American government, and complete 75 hours of community service (including at least 30 hours on a civic project). Schools may also earn a "Center of Civic Excellence" designation if 50% or more of their graduating students receive the seal. Participating school systems must submit annual reports on the program starting in 2027.