Sen. Joanne Benson

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill extends a sales and use tax exemption for parts and equipment used to repair, maintain, or upgrade specific aircraft until June 30, 2030. The exemption applies to planes weighing less than 12,500 pounds or heavier aircraft primarily used in interstate or foreign commerce. Additionally, the legislation removes the requirement for the state Comptroller to annually report the revenue lost from this tax break and its impact on aviation technician employment. By repealing the reporting mandate and extending the sunset date, the bill ensures the tax relief continues without needing further legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Governor of Maryland to allocate state funding for the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program. It mandates that the program receive at least $100,000 annually from fiscal years 2021 through 2024, with the amount increasing to at least $500,000 starting in fiscal year 2025 and continuing thereafter. The legislation also requires that all funds used for this program be subject to audits by the Office of Legislative Audits to ensure proper financial oversight.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill creates a state income tax credit of up to $300 for individuals who harvest an antlerless deer and donate the meat to a qualified nonprofit organization. To qualify, hunters must follow state laws and donate the processed meat to a 501(c)(3) venison donation program, with the credit amount potentially increasing to $600 if the deer was harvested under a specific management permit. The legislation also establishes a liability shield for donors and recipients of the food and requires donation programs to report donor names and deer counts to the state comptroller annually. This five-year program, effective from July 1, 2024, is designed to encourage the donation of venison to food banks and similar organizations while providing a financial incentive to hunters.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law expands a state income tax break for law enforcement officers to include those who live in areas with higher crime rates than the state average. Under the new rules, eligible officers can subtract up to $5,000 of their income from their state tax calculation if they meet specific residency and employment criteria. The bill applies to various police forces, including county and municipal officers, state units, and members of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Police Force. To determine eligibility, the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission must certify which local areas have crime rates exceeding the state average, with these certifications occurring every three years. The changes take effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law authorizes the state to provide up to $1 million annually in grants to nonprofit organizations that offer automotive repair training to incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals. To qualify for these funds, organizations must train at least 50 people each year and be able to issue nationally recognized automotive repair certificates to participants. The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services will manage the distribution of these grants and require recipients to report how the money was used and the outcomes achieved. The program is set to run from fiscal year 2026 through 2028, with the goal of improving employment opportunities for people reentering society.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that maintain memorials on property owned by the State of Maryland. To qualify for this exemption, the organization must be exempt from federal taxation under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3), and any money raised from the sale of items must be used specifically to maintain the memorial on state-owned land. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, allowing these organizations to sell goods without paying sales tax as long as the proceeds support the upkeep of the memorial.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Rudy's Law, requires baby food manufacturers in Maryland to test their products for toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury before packaging them for sale. Starting in January 2025, these companies must have their food tested by accredited laboratories at least once a month and share the results with state health officials. Beginning in January 2026, manufacturers must also publish detailed test results on their websites and include QR codes on product labels that allow consumers to access this information and learn about potential health risks. Additionally, the law mandates that any consumer who suspects a product contains unsafe levels of these metals must report it to the Maryland Department of Health. The regulations apply specifically to foods packaged for babies and children under two years old but exclude infant formula.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory annual funding requirement for the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland to support the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission. It directs the Governor to include a specific appropriation of $1 million in the state budget each year, drawn from the Cigarette Restitution Fund, with an additional option to allocate 5% of Master Settlement Agreement funds. The legislation clarifies that these funds are intended solely for agricultural development activities and must be used in addition to, rather than replacing, any existing funding for the council. This change ensures consistent financial support for the commission's operations starting in fiscal year 2024.