Sen. Jim Rosapepe

Maddy summarySB 132 allows unaffiliated voters in Maryland to formally affiliate with a political party at an early voting center during a primary election. Previously, unaffiliated voters could only change their party affiliation through registration offices or mail before primaries. Under this bill, an unaffiliated voter requesting affiliation at an early voting center will receive a provisional ballot for their chosen party, after confirming residency. This directly affects unaffiliated voters participating in primary elections by providing a new, accessible option to change party affiliation on election day. The key mechanism updates existing voting procedures to permit this affiliation change during early voting, using provisional ballots to ensure eligibility for the primary election.

Maddy summarySB 456 amends Maryland law to regulate fantasy sports competitions more strictly. It requires operators to pay a mandatory $50,000 annual registration fee to the State Lottery Commission (with fees funding a state education fund) and establish a voluntary exclusion program. Operators must prevent individuals on the exclusion list from creating accounts, participating, or receiving prizes. The bill also updates definitions of "fantasy competition," "sporting event," and "sports wagering" to clarify regulatory boundaries. These changes apply directly to companies offering fantasy sports platforms in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 457 allows counties and Baltimore City to set separate property tax rates for land and improvements to land (like buildings). This directly affects property owners in jurisdictions that adopt this authority, particularly those with land parcels where land value differs significantly from improvements (e.g., vacant lots vs. developed properties). The bill amends Maryland tax law to permit governing bodies to establish distinct tax rates for "LAND" and "IMPROVEMENTS TO LAND" without requiring equal rates, while ensuring each rate applies uniformly across the jurisdiction. It takes effect June 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after June 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 460 requires Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation to create and maintain a database of geographic images (including maps and aerial photos) for property appraisal. It mandates that counties and Baltimore City reimburse the state for these costs - 100% for the first $1 million and 50% for amounts exceeding that - under Section 2-106(b)(2). The bill also directs the Department to develop privacy policies protecting individuals' identities in captured images (Section 2-210(a)(3)), effective June 1, 2026. This directly affects local governments through reimbursement obligations and state agencies through new data management requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans' organizations in Anne Arundel County to convert their existing Class C alcohol licenses (for clubs) to veterans-specific licenses. It reduces the annual license fee from $480 to $300 and permits these organizations to sell alcohol on Sundays without needing a separate Sunday permit. The bill also authorizes fee discounts for qualifying veterans' organizations applying for or renewing licenses. It specifically targets organizations with at least 100 military-member dues-paying members meeting federal veterans' group criteria. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 820 increases the maximum criminal fine municipalities can impose for certain ordinance violations from $1,000 to $5,000. It directly affects municipalities (which enforce local rules) and residents or businesses cited for violations classified as misdemeanors or municipal infractions. The bill amends Maryland law to raise the fine limit in Sections 6-101 (for misdemeanor violations) and 6-102 (for municipal infractions like zoning or littering violations). This change allows local governments to levy higher penalties for specific offenses without creating new violations. The policy change takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 50 renames the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau to "Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Inc." for all legal and administrative references. The bill updates specific sections of Maryland law (Article 20, Section 603) to reflect this new name, including provisions related to how hotel tax revenue is distributed. This change affects the organization itself, the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (which receives separate hotel tax funds), and county/city officials who receive annual reports on fund usage. The bill does not alter funding percentages, reporting requirements, or the organization's responsibilities.

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 911 increases Maryland's property tax exemption for blind individuals and their surviving spouses from $15,000 to $40,000 on their primary residence. The bill defines a "blind individual" as someone with a permanent visual impairment meeting specific medical criteria and clarifies that the exemption applies to the assessed value of a dwelling house (including the lot and necessary structures). Surviving spouses who haven't remarried become eligible for the exemption after the blind individual's death. The bill also specifies that individuals cannot claim both this exemption and another specific property tax exemption, though they may use it alongside other available exemptions.

Maddy summarySB 41 adds the Comptroller (or their designee) as a new permanent member to the Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Board. This bill amends the existing membership structure under Maryland's Labor and Employment Code, replacing the prior numbering and inserting the Comptroller as a dedicated seat alongside the State Treasurer and Secretary of Labor. The change directly affects the board's composition but does not alter the board's purpose or the retirement savings program it oversees.