Sen. Karen Young

Maddy summarySB 852 amends Maryland's Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform law. It repeals the Career Counseling Program for middle and high school students and associated funding, while requiring county boards to report per-school funding for specific programs. The bill creates a waiver for schools with 350 or fewer students from minimum funding requirements, adjusts career ladder provisions for principals and educators, and updates eligibility for prekindergarten programs. It also mandates two new studies: one on National Board Certification for teachers and another on special education funding adequacy. These changes directly affect school districts, educators, and students participating in Maryland's education programs.

Maddy summarySB 932 restricts pesticide use on Maryland state-owned properties and requires the development of pollinator-friendly management plans. It mandates that state agencies may only apply "listed pesticides" (organic or minimum-risk options) or specific registered pesticides for defined purposes like invasive species control, weed management, or public health threats. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to create a model plan designating at least 20% of unencumbered land as pesticide-free, banning pesticides toxic to pollinators (unless needed for immediate health threats), and prioritizing native plants for habitat creation. State agencies managing properties must adapt this model to their specific sites by October 2025.

Maddy summarySB 634 redefines "hunt" to include fox chasing, creates a Deer Management Assistance Program in the Department of Natural Resources (requiring an additional full-time employee by July 2026), and mandates a phased transition to nonlead ammunition for all game hunting. It sets specific deadlines: nonlead ammunition required for pen-raised birds by 2026, upland birds by 2027, migratory birds and turkeys by 2028, and all other game (including deer) by 2029. Unarmed fox chasers are exempt from certain licensing rules but must still hold a standard hunting license. The bill directly affects hunters, landowners participating in deer management, and wildlife agencies managing hunting regulations.

Maddy summarySB 804 (Better Buildings Act of 2025) requires new buildings and major renovations (costing 50% or more of a building's replacement value) in Maryland to meet specific energy standards. It mandates that these buildings must provide all laundry, water, and space heating without fossil fuels, adopt stricter energy conservation measures than the baseline International Energy Conservation Code, and include "electric-ready" and "solar-ready" design features. "Electric-ready" means having sufficient electrical capacity and space for future high-efficiency appliances, while "solar-ready" requires at least 40% of the roof area to be unobstructed for potential solar panel installation. These standards apply to buildings seeking permits after August 1, 1995 (as referenced in the bill, though implementation timelines are defined by the Maryland Department of Labor). The bill updates building codes to prioritize fossil fuel-free operations and renewable energy infrastructure in new construction.

Maddy summarySB 98 modifies student member provisions for school boards in Baltimore, Frederick, Howard, and Washington counties. It removes the requirement for Baltimore County student members to complete budget training before voting, while adding a nonvoting student member position to the Washington County Board with a new scholarship and reimbursement for their activities. The bill also updates voting restrictions for student members across all four counties, clarifying they cannot vote on personnel dismissals, special education appeals, or certain board appeals. These changes aim to adjust student representation roles without altering their core advisory function.

Maddy summaryMaryland's SB 346 establishes a refund program for beverage containers to boost recycling and reduce litter. It requires all redeemable containers sold in the state to display refund information, includes the refund value in both wholesale and retail prices, and mandates retailers to show this on customer receipts. Producers must register with the state, pay fees, and join a stewardship organization to manage the program, while counties can create redemption facilities to help meet recycling targets. The law aims to increase container reuse and recycling rates, reduce pollution from discarded containers, and fund public water refill stations through a new grant program. This directly affects beverage producers, retailers, consumers, and local governments managing redemption sites.

Maddy summarySB 10 removes "waste-to-energy" and "refuse-derived fuel" from the list of eligible sources under Maryland's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS). This change directly affects energy producers who previously counted waste-to-energy generation toward state renewable energy goals. The bill amends Maryland law to exclude these sources from Tier 1 renewable eligibility, effective October 1, 2025, for compliance years starting January 1, 2025. It does not alter other eligible sources like solar, wind, or qualifying biomass.

Maddy summarySB 33 requires Maryland’s Office of the Comptroller and Department of Legislative Services to study the state’s business tax structure, including whether to adopt "combined reporting" (where affiliated companies file taxes together) and evaluate other tax options like gross receipts taxes. The study must examine how combined reporting affects different industries, review experiences in other states, and assess tax policies used for economic development. The agencies must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 15, 2026. This bill does not change current tax laws but sets the stage for potential future reforms affecting all corporations operating in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 551 prohibits Maryland insurers from raising premiums, adding surcharges, or removing discounts for private passenger auto insurance policies after collisions with free-roaming wild animals when the driver was not at fault. It directly affects car insurance policyholders in Maryland who experience such non-fault accidents. The key provision amends insurance law to block insurers from treating these incidents differently than other non-fault claims. This ensures drivers cannot be penalized financially for unavoidable encounters with wildlife like deer or coyotes. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 317 establishes Maryland's Food Forests and Foraging Program within the Department of Natural Resources. It requires individuals harvesting noncommercial plant materials (like berries or nuts) from designated state-owned food forests to obtain a permit, with an application fee that may be waived for those demonstrating financial need. The bill creates a dedicated "Food Forests and Foraging Fund" to support planting and maintaining these areas, funded by permit fees, state appropriations, and interest earnings. This program directly affects residents who forage in state-managed food forests, regulating access while funding the program's sustainability.