Sen. Paul Corderman

Maddy summarySB 328 amends Maryland’s property tax credit for disabled or fallen public safety officers by expanding eligibility. It adds disabled officers who die regardless of cause (not just duty-related deaths) to the definition of "fallen public safety officer," and removes the requirement that a dwelling must have been acquired within 10 years of the disability or death. The bill also allows the tax credit amount for new dwellings to match the original credit for a previous dwelling, and authorizes local governments to set their own acquisition timelines or eligibility limits. This directly affects disabled officers, their surviving spouses, and cohabitants who own qualifying homes, as well as county/municipal tax administrators.

Maddy summarySB 9 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) in Maryland starting in 2026. It exempts sales tax on items costing less than $2,000 purchased by veterans, provided they show valid ID (like a driver's license or government ID) indicating veteran status. The Comptroller may suspend this tax-free day at their sole discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly benefiting eligible veterans making qualifying purchases.

Maddy summarySB 356 creates a $1,000 refundable state income tax credit for Maryland parents who experience a stillbirth, as documented by a certified birth certificate or fetal death certificate issued under Maryland law or equivalent from another state. The credit can be claimed in the tax year the stillbirth occurred, and if it exceeds the parent's state income tax liability, they receive a cash refund for the difference. This policy directly affects eligible Maryland parents of stillborn children, providing financial relief tied to the year of the stillbirth. The credit applies to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to permanently define Maryland's state flag as the version adopted in 1904, which features the Calvert and Crossland family coats of arms. The legislation would update state laws to align with this constitutional definition and remove previous statutory language about the flag. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, the change would make the 1904 flag design the official state symbol under the Maryland Constitution. The bill does not alter the flag's appearance but clarifies its legal status and ensures future consistency in how the flag is recognized.

Maddy summarySB 712, the Education Funding Accuracy Act, changes how Maryland calculates state education funding by requiring the use of the average number of students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 on September 30 and May 31 of the prior school year (instead of a 3-year moving average) to determine "full-time equivalent enrollment." This directly affects public school districts statewide, as it alters the enrollment count used to calculate their state aid. The bill also mandates that the State Department of Education publish an annual, detailed report online and submit it to key legislative committees by December 31 each year, showing enrollment data disaggregated by county and funding allocations. The changes take effect for funding calculations starting in fiscal year 2028.

Maddy summarySB 991 requires Maryland government agencies to allow inspectors general (IGs) created under state or local law to inspect public records when state law authorizes their access and they need the records for their duties. The bill specifies that agencies must permit this access unless the records are legally privileged or confidential. It also restricts how IGs can share any public records they receive under this provision. This bill directly affects state and local IG offices and the agencies that must comply with their record requests, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 934 increases Maryland's annual funding goal for public school construction from $450 million to $550 million, effective starting in fiscal year 2027. This change applies directly to public school construction projects funded through the state's Capital Improvement Program, aiming to maintain a stable number of funded projects. The bill clarifies that the $550 million annual goal does not include funds provided via the Built to Learn Program. It also requires the funding level to be recalculated before the Public School Facilities Priority Fund is funded.

Maddy summarySB 975 renames Maryland's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to include "Disability" and updates the title of its leadership position to reflect this expansion. The bill specifically requires the Special Secretary to now address matters concerning individuals with disabilities and amends procurement laws to mandate that state agencies prioritize purchasing from disability-owned businesses and community service providers. Key provisions include updating committee membership to include the new Special Secretary role and requiring the Pricing and Selection Committee to establish procedures for procuring goods and services from disability-focused businesses. This bill directly affects disability-owned businesses and community service providers seeking state contracts by creating clearer procurement pathways. The changes aim to integrate disability business inclusion into existing state procurement frameworks without creating new funding streams.

Maddy summarySB 896 updates Maryland's vehicle registration fee structure for multiple vehicle classes, directly affecting all vehicle owners in the state. It increases annual fees for passenger cars (e.g., from $50.50 to $80.50 for lighter vehicles after July 2025), for-hire vehicles (e.g., rideshares from $150 to $180), ambulances/funeral vehicles (from $100 to $130), and motorcycles (from $35 to $65). Truck fees are revised based on gross weight, with a new $63.75 base fee for smaller trucks under 7,000 lbs and updated rates for construction vehicles. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 711 amends Maryland's definition of child neglect to explicitly include the failure or refusal to provide a child with education required by law. This change directly affects parents or caregivers who have legal responsibility for a child's education but do not enroll them in school as mandated. The bill alters Section 5-701(s) of Maryland's Family Law code to add that "neglect" now encompasses this educational neglect. The policy change takes effect October 1, 2026, updating how child neglect is legally defined under Maryland law.