Sen. Jim Rosapepe

Maddy summarySB 471 requires Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration to establish a mandatory 3-hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program for new driver’s license applicants who have never held a license issued by Maryland or another state. The program must cover topics like driving impairment hazards, legal consequences of alcohol/drug-related violations, and the medical effects of substances on driving. It replaces previous requirements for alcohol education and applies specifically to applicants qualifying under Section 16-105(f)(3) of Maryland law. The bill amends Vehicle Laws to formalize this program as a condition for license issuance, with fees collected not being distributed to general revenue accounts.

Maddy summarySB 278 expands Maryland's definition of "uniformed services" to include members of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), previously limited to only the armed forces. This change updates how "veteran" status is defined in state law, ensuring these service members qualify for state benefits. The bill requires Maryland's tax and pension programs to apply equally to all uniformed services, eliminating prior exclusions for non-military personnel. It directly affects service members in the Public Health Service and NOAA, granting them parity in state tax relief, pensions, and other benefits.

Maddy summarySB 603 authorizes an annual $350,000 appropriation starting in fiscal year 2027 for the University of Maryland, College Park’s TerpsEXCEED Program. This program provides educational and employment support specifically to students with intellectual disabilities. The funding covers direct services like academic advising, career development courses, internship coordination, and connections to disability support agencies. It aims to create sustainable support for the program’s operations and future expansion. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the name of a Habitat for Humanity affiliate to "Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, Incorporated" to qualify for an existing property tax credit in Anne Arundel County. It amends Maryland tax law to replace the previous organization name in the provision allowing county/municipal tax credits against property taxes for real property owned by this specific nonprofit. The credit applies to properties owned by the renamed organization, with local governing bodies setting the credit terms. The change affects only this organization's eligibility for the current tax credit program, not the credit's structure or scope. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, for taxable years after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 502 expands Maryland's existing property tax credit program to include judicial officers, their surviving spouses, and cohabitants - previously, the credit only covered law enforcement officers and rescue workers. The bill modifies the law to define "public safety officer" to include judicial officers and requires counties or municipalities to establish by law who qualifies as a judicial officer. It allows disabled judicial officers, their surviving spouses (if unmarried), and cohabitants to claim the credit against property taxes on their primary residence, with specific residency and disability criteria. The credit applies retroactively to qualifying individuals who met the requirements before the bill's enactment.

Maddy summarySB 814 requires specific Maryland counties (charter counties imposing development fees by law, code counties with such fees in public local laws, and commission counties authorized to impose them) to annually report to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1. The report must detail total fees collected from new construction, how funds are distributed to specific districts (legislative, councilmanic, or commissioner), and how funds were used for capital projects like transportation, schools, or other infrastructure. Counties must also make these reports publicly available on their websites or through other reasonable means. The bill focuses on transparency around how local governments collect and spend development impact fees, surcharges, and excise taxes.

Maddy summarySB 131 authorizes Anne Arundel County or its municipalities to offer a property tax credit against personal property taxes for supermarkets that complete eligible construction (new stores or major renovations) in designated "food desert retail incentive areas." To qualify, supermarkets must meet specific criteria, including having major food departments, deriving over 50% of sales from food, and dedicating over 50% of floor space to food sales. The county must define food desert areas, and the credit cannot exceed the actual personal property tax owed, with local governments able to set additional limits or requirements. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, for taxable years after June 30, 2025.

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 307 increases the scholarship award for student members of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education from $8,000 to $15,000. This change applies to students who complete a full term on the board and can use the scholarship toward higher education costs. The bill amends Maryland's Education Code (Sections 3-2A-01 and 3-2A-07) to update the scholarship amount, effective June 1, 2025. It directly affects student board members by providing greater financial support for their education. The policy change is limited to the scholarship amount, with no other provisions altering board composition or compensation for other members.

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.