Maddy summarySB 2102 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish an independent Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Commission, which would take over the process of drawing state legislative and congressional district maps from the General Assembly. The bill requires that all House of Delegates districts be single-member units and sets specific standards for map drawing, including prohibitions against considering political party affiliation or the residence of incumbent officeholders when creating boundaries. If the commission fails to adopt a plan or if the legislature rejects the proposed maps, the Supreme Court of Maryland would gain original jurisdiction to establish the final district plans. The legislation also mandates public hearings and transparency requirements for the redistricting process, with the constitutional changes subject to voter approval in the November 2026 general election.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 709 creates Maryland's Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize institutions of higher education that provide strong support for military-connected students. The bill updates the definition of "military-connected student" to include service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents, and establishes specific requirements for colleges seeking designation. To qualify, colleges must designate a uniformed services liaison, maintain a dedicated webpage with transition resources, offer student-led transition programs, and provide staff training on military-connected student needs. Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, this program complements the existing Purple Star Schools Program and directly affects colleges and military-connected students statewide.
Maddy summarySB 597 establishes the Maryland Artificial Intelligence Partnership within the University System of Maryland to serve as a central hub for coordinating AI initiatives across the state. It creates an Artificial Intelligence Incubation Lab to help state agencies adopt AI responsibly, and redesignates the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program as the Emerging Technology Public Service Scholarship Program to include AI training. The bill also requires Morgan State University's Center for Equitable AI to support state agencies with AI research. These changes directly affect Maryland public university students (through expanded scholarship eligibility), state agencies (via lab support), and the University System of Maryland (as host for the Partnership and Lab).
Maddy summarySB 13 amends Maryland's alcohol license fee refund rules to add members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health Service to the list of license holders eligible for refunds upon surrendering their licenses. Currently, refunds are available for license holders who die, go bankrupt, join the military, or have premises taken for public use; this bill expands that eligibility to include these specific federal agency employees. The change would allow these individuals to receive refunds for unearned license fees when they surrender their licenses, aligning their treatment with current military service exemptions. The bill is pending and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
Maddy summarySB 194 amends Maryland tax code to extend existing income and property tax benefits to members and veterans of the Space Force. It updates definitions in tax laws to explicitly include "space service" alongside military, naval, and air service, making Space Force members, veterans, and their surviving spouses eligible for current programs. Key provisions include revising eligibility for job creation tax credits (under Section 6-301(e)) and property tax exemptions for disabled veterans (Sections 7-208 and 9-265). These changes ensure Space Force personnel qualify for the same tax incentives previously available only to traditional military branches. The bill directly affects Space Force members, veterans, and their families by expanding access to existing state tax benefits.
Maddy summarySB 199 creates a state fund to provide grants for water-based activities like sailing, kayaking, and surfing, specifically expanding eligibility to include "eligible companions" of individuals with disabilities or service-disabled veterans. The bill requires the Department of Disabilities to administer grants of up to $40,000 annually to qualifying nonprofits that have provided these activities on Maryland waters at least 25 times yearly for three years. Eligible companions are defined as family members or direct support professionals accompanying the individuals. The fund, held separately by the State Treasurer, will cover both activity costs and administrative expenses. This policy change directly affects disabled individuals, service-disabled veterans, and their support personnel by adding companions to the list of beneficiaries.
Maddy summarySB 242, the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, allows active-duty service members and their spouses to practice in Maryland under an occupational or professional license issued by another state, without needing to meet all of Maryland’s usual licensing requirements. It also expands eligibility for veterans’ licensing benefits to include former service members who were discharged more than a certain period before applying for a license. The bill creates new provisions (Subtitle 14A) in Maryland law to streamline this process and updates definitions to clarify who qualifies under these rules. These changes directly affect military personnel, their families, and veterans seeking to work in licensed professions across Maryland.
Maddy summarySB 109 would expand eligibility for property tax payment deferrals in Anne Arundel County to include members of certain military reserve components (like National Guard reservists) and members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health Service. Currently, deferrals are available to seniors (62+), permanently disabled residents with specific federal benefits, or those meeting income requirements; this bill adds these two new federal service groups to the eligible categories. The change would allow qualifying members to delay paying county property taxes on their primary residence without needing to prove additional disability or age. The bill requires the county governing body to adopt a deferral program following specific rules and would take effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 42 protects registered reduction operators (who process human remains into soil via natural organic reduction) and veterans service organizations from civil liability when transferring or receiving unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains of veterans or their eligible dependents, as long as they act in good faith. It amends Maryland law to clarify that these entities are not legally responsible for handling such remains for disposition purposes. The bill specifically replaces the term "cremated remains" with "hydrolyzed or soil remains" in relevant legal sections to align with new processing methods. This change directly affects veterans' remains management without altering existing disposition procedures or creating new requirements.
Maddy summarySB 263 allows dependent children of active-duty military members to enroll in Maryland public schools remotely before relocating, using official military orders as proof of eligibility. It requires counties to create a free, no-physical-attendance remote registration process and to note if a child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan from their previous school. The bill ensures children with disabilities receive appropriate education without delay and permits continued enrollment through the school year even if residency changes. Military families can use temporary housing addresses (like base housing) as proof of residence. The Secretary of Veterans and Military Families must publish clear enrollment information on these procedures.