Sen. Nick Charles

Maddy summarySB 945 imposes a 3% admissions tax on tickets for University of Maryland, College Park athletic events and a game-day surcharge on food, alcohol, and accommodations sold near the stadium on event days. The revenue from both taxes will fund a new University of Maryland Athletic Department Support Fund, a dedicated account that cannot expire and will provide ongoing financial support for the university's athletic programs. This bill amends Maryland's tax code to create these specific taxes and redirect the revenue to the fund, replacing prior tax distribution rules for similar revenue streams. The bill does not affect general public sales or taxes outside these targeted events and locations.

Maddy summarySB 863 requires Prince George's County Public Schools to fund one-to-one student aides with full-time salaries and benefits starting in the 2027-2028 school year, directly affecting students with individualized education programs (IEPs) who need these aides. The bill mandates quarterly reports on special education metrics - including student counts, unfulfilled aide positions, and compensatory services - submitted to the county board and state education department for at least 24 months. It also requires the county superintendent to provide annual professional development training for special education staff and directs the state to hire an auditor to review special education services from 2021-2025. These provisions aim to improve transparency and accountability in delivering special education services within Prince George's County.

Maddy summarySB 550 amends Maryland's Health Care Decisions Act to allow surrogates (like family members or appointed guardians) to authorize treatment for a person's mental disorder if that person has been certified as unable to make informed health care decisions. It repeals the previous ban preventing surrogates from making such decisions, updating the priority order for who can act as a surrogate (e.g., guardians first, then spouse, adult children, or qualified friends/relatives). Qualified friends or relatives must now provide an affidavit to the physician confirming their relationship and familiarity with the patient’s wishes. This change directly affects patients certified as incapable of making their own mental health treatment decisions and their designated surrogates.

Maddy summarySB 386 (Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026) requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (over 69,000 volts) in Maryland to join a regional transmission organization. It mandates that applicants seeking permits for new transmission lines must include alternative proposals using advanced transmission technologies and compare their cost-effectiveness. The bill creates a new Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration and directs funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential customers. These changes aim to modernize transmission infrastructure, promote technology adoption, and reduce costs for Maryland ratepayers.

Maddy summarySB 548 requires Maryland courts to determine custody before awarding child support in certain cases - specifically when a parent requests it and no prior custody determination exists. The bill establishes a conclusive presumption that applying standard child support guidelines would be unjust if parents mutually agree their private agreement serves the child’s best interests. It also creates a rebuttable presumption that guidelines apply unless evidence shows they would be unfair, considering factors like existing separation agreements or the obligor’s income. Courts must provide written findings explaining any deviation from guidelines, including the guideline amount and how the order serves the child’s best interests. This bill directly affects parents negotiating child support and courts handling family law cases in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 547 requires state and local government units, as well as businesses receiving state funding for goods or services, to report annual details about how funds are used. Specifically, it mandates that recipients disclose contractor/subcontractor information - including addresses, employee counts, work locations, and minority business certification status - on annual reports to the Comptroller and on business tax returns. The Comptroller must then compile this data into an annual report for the legislature, including metrics like the percentage of in-state vs. out-of-state contractors and minority business participation. This bill directly affects government entities, funded businesses, and their contractors, aiming to increase transparency in public spending. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 86 repeals a current prohibition that prevents counties or municipalities from paying for office space, services, or equipment used by Maryland General Assembly members. This change would allow local governments to subsidize these expenses for legislators, though it maintains an exception for liaison offices between local governments and the Assembly. The bill directly affects state legislators and local governments by altering funding rules for legislative offices. It takes effect July 1, 2026, after legislative review.

Maddy summarySB 208 exempts certain religious educational institutions from needing a certificate of approval from Maryland’s Higher Education Commission to operate in the state. It applies to schools that: (1) exist for religious educational purposes, (2) offer only religious programs, (3) provide faith-specific instruction, and (4) label credentials with their religious nature. The exemption does not apply to schools accredited by U.S. Department of Education-recognized bodies, and institutions operating continuously since before January 1, 2013, are automatically exempt. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 110 (Mateo's Law) requires drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents causing death or life-threatening injury to submit to mandatory breath and blood testing for impairment. It directly affects drivers in these specific crash scenarios, mandating testing if police have reasonable suspicion of alcohol, drug, or combined impairment. The bill specifies that police may direct either breath testing, blood testing, or both, and applies existing legal procedures for such testing. Medical personnel performing these tests are protected from civil liability for non-gross-negligent actions.

Maddy summarySB 513 modifies notice requirements for counties and municipalities seeking to record changes to unlawfully restrictive covenants on property. These covenants are recorded restrictions that limit property ownership based on race, religion, or national origin. The bill requires government entities to provide written notice to property owners via first-class mail, newspaper publication for four weeks, courthouse posting, or official website posting at least 30 days before recording a modification. Property owners with an interest in the property can decline the change by notifying the county or municipality within 30 days of receiving the notice.