Sen. Ron Watson

Maddy summarySB 275 creates a new license category for manufacturers or distributors that sell *only* electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, allowing up to five such licenses statewide. However, it specifically restricts one of those licenses to operate *only* in the City of Bowie. This directly affects EV manufacturers/distributors seeking to open direct-to-consumer dealerships in Bowie without traditional dealership franchises. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle licensing laws to require that no existing dealer holds a franchise from the applicant, and that no controlling ownership exists between competing EV dealers. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 294 changes how the Maryland Cybersecurity Council is led and who serves on it. Starting October 1, 2025, the Council will elect its own chair every two years instead of the Attorney General serving as chair. The bill adds specific membership requirements, including five cybersecurity company representatives (with at least three from small companies under 50 employees), four business association representatives, and up to ten higher education representatives. This directly affects small cybersecurity firms, business associations, and educational institutions that will now have formal representation on the Council.

Maddy summarySB 369, the "Raymono A. Russell Act," requires public libraries in Maryland (excluding school libraries) to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a visible, accessible location, maintain its functionality, and ensure a staff member trained in AED use is present during all open hours starting January 1, 2026. The bill specifically includes state libraries, regional systems (like Enoch Pratt in Baltimore), and specialized libraries (e.g., for the blind or deaf), but explicitly excludes school library media programs. It also grants legal immunity to libraries and trained individuals for using AEDs under the law’s requirements. This is a direct safety mandate targeting public library operators, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

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 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 378 establishes a Family Literacy Pilot Program through the Maryland State Library Agency, allowing incarcerated individuals to record themselves reading children's books to their children. The program directly affects incarcerated parents, their children, and correctional facilities participating in the pilot. Key provisions include selecting four facilities (representing Maryland's regions and including both male and female facilities), providing free children's books in multiple languages, securing parental permission, and enabling incarcerated individuals to prepare and share recordings. The State Library Agency must report on the program's results to the General Assembly by December 1, 2028, and the program expires automatically on December 31, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 11, the Organized Retail Theft Act of 2025, defines "organized retail theft" as a series of thefts from retail stores over 90 days with intent to permanently deprive merchants, return merchandise for gain, or resell it. It prohibits thefts exceeding $1,500 in aggregate value, classifying violations as felonies with escalating penalties based on total value ($1,500-$25,000: up to 5 years; $25,000-$100,000: up to 10 years; $100,000+: up to 20 years). The bill requires courts to mandate restitution to retailers and merges convictions under this law with standard theft charges for sentencing. It directly affects retailers (as victims) and individuals committing coordinated theft schemes across multiple locations.

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 46 makes it a crime to illegally occupy residential property with the intent to defraud the owner, prohibiting possession or claiming rights to property you don’t legally own. Property owners can submit a sworn affidavit to their sheriff, triggering removal of the occupant unless they present evidence of lawful possession. Violations carry fines up to $2,500 or jail time (up to 1 year for repeat offenses within 2 years). The law explicitly states it does not replace existing wrongful detainer lawsuits, which remain an option for property owners.

Maddy summarySB 150 updates Maryland's requirements for recording real property documents. It revises formatting rules (requiring 10-point black type on white paper with specific margins), clarifies definitions (like "land" now meaning "property"), and mandates electronic recordation systems for county clerks. The bill directly affects property owners, real estate professionals, and county clerks who file deeds, mortgages, or other land-related documents. Non-compliant documents now incur triple the standard recording fee, and clerks must verify signatures and typed names before recording.