Sen. Ben Kramer

Maddy summarySB 93 requires Maryland local election boards to mail the state-approved absentee ballot application to every eligible voter at least 60 days before statewide primary elections. This applies to all voters who do not already have permanent absentee ballot status. The bill modifies election law to ensure voters receive the application well in advance of primaries, with the exception of those with permanent absentee status under existing rules. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 80 increases penalties for animal abuse or neglect in Maryland that results in an animal's death or the need for humane euthanasia. It raises penalties from up to 90 days/$1,000 to up to 3 years/$5,000 for such severe cases, requiring validation of euthanasia decisions by a second veterinarian or state veterinarian for livestock. The bill also adds new sentencing options, including mandatory counseling, reimbursement for animal care costs, and court-ordered bans on owning or living with animals for convicted offenders. This directly affects individuals convicted of severe animal cruelty and gives courts additional tools to address repeat offenses.

Maddy summarySB 375 restricts private rooster ownership in Maryland by limiting most individuals to no more than 5 roosters per acre or 25 total roosters on a single property, effective January 1, 2027, unless authorized by the Department of Agriculture. Exemptions include commercial poultry producers, public/private schools receiving state funds, government shelters, animal welfare organizations, and 4-H/Future Farmers of America members with written authorization from their county. Violations carry fines up to $1,000, and enforcement involves cooperation between the Department of Agriculture and local animal control or law enforcement. The bill does not override stricter local ordinances or other existing laws regarding rooster ownership.

Maddy summarySB 525 requires all Maryland counties to establish a program allowing residents to submit video evidence of illegal littering or dumping violations to local enforcement agencies. If the video leads to a conviction, the submitter receives half of the fines collected from that violation. The law amends existing litter control penalties to mandate this reward system, with fines also funding litter receptacles, signage, and other litter control efforts. It applies statewide, not just to Prince George's County, and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 749 streamlines licensing for dental professionals moving to Maryland from other states. It requires the State Board of Dental Examiners to issue licenses to dentists and dental hygienists who meet specific criteria - such as passing national exams (ADLEX or ADHLEX) and a Maryland law exam, or demonstrating sufficient prior practice hours - within a specified timeframe. The bill also creates a new process for issuing certifications to dental radiation technologists licensed in other states. This directly affects licensed dental professionals seeking to practice in Maryland without retaking full state licensing exams. The law modifies existing Maryland licensing statutes to reduce barriers for out-of-state practitioners.

Maddy summarySB 1040 (FEDERAL Jobs Act of 2025) creates an Expedited Hiring Program within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management to recruit former federal employees for state government positions. It directly affects eligible applicants who previously worked for the federal government for at least one year and left after January 15, 2025, as well as state appointing authorities responsible for filling vacancies. Key provisions require appointing authorities to fill eligible vacancies within 40 days, modify job descriptions to appeal to former federal workers, and implement marketing, applicant rating, and referral processes. The program aims to leverage federal expertise for state roles while operating under the State Personnel Management System.

Maddy summarySB 683 (Protect Our Federal Workers Act) renames the "Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund" to the "Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund" and expands its eligibility. The bill allows Maryland to use funds from the Catastrophic Event Account to assist federal workers affected by closures, relocations, or mass layoffs of federal offices (beyond just government shutdowns). It specifically adds these new circumstances to the Fund’s purpose, enabling loans to Maryland-resident federal employees who lost pay during shutdowns *or* were terminated due to federal facility changes beyond their control. The bill modifies existing Maryland law (Sections 7-324 and 7-327) to formalize these changes, ensuring the Fund remains continuously available for these purposes.

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 750 grants collective bargaining rights to part-time faculty at Maryland's public institutions of higher education, including community colleges and universities. The bill expands the definition of "faculty" to explicitly include part-time and adjunct employees with academic responsibilities (such as teaching or research), excluding supervisors, confidential staff, and student employees. It establishes separate bargaining units for these faculty members and allows units to combine into a single bargaining unit. This change modifies Maryland's State Personnel and Pensions Article to formally include part-time faculty under collective bargaining protections previously limited to full-time staff.

Maddy summarySB 917 requires payment processors and credit/debit card issuers to exclude tax and gratuity amounts from the transaction total when calculating interchange fees for electronic payments. This means merchants will no longer be charged fees on taxes or tips, and issuers must refund any fees already collected on these portions upon receiving proper documentation from merchants. The bill also prohibits certain entities from using electronic payment data for specific purposes and classifies violations as unfair or deceptive trade practices under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act. These changes directly affect merchants and payment processors in Maryland by altering fee structures and data usage rules.