Sen. Bryan Simonaire

Maddy summarySB 123 revises the membership structure of Maryland's Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. The bill reduces the number of House committee representatives from two to one and adds three new assisted living industry representatives categorized by facility size (1-4 residents, 5-9 residents, and over 10 residents). It also expands consumer representation with three members living in or connected to care facilities and includes additional organizational representatives from health, aging, and advocacy groups. The committee will now feature a more detailed membership structure to better reflect diverse stakeholder perspectives. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 262 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for teachers by adding prekindergarten teachers to the list of eligible educators who can deduct up to $250 annually for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. The bill amends tax code sections to include prekindergarten classroom teachers employed full-time in state programs as "eligible teachers," alongside existing K-12 teachers. This deduction applies only to supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, and excludes expenses already deducted federally. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 7 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the June 30, 2030 cutoff that previously prevented new awards after that date. This change allows the scholarship to be awarded indefinitely to eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents who meet Maryland residency and educational requirements. The bill also removes restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before 2030. The scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition, fees, and room/board at Maryland public universities, requiring a 2.5 GPA and 5 years of full-time study. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 841 changes how Maryland uses fees paid by utilities to fund renewable energy projects. Instead of direct grants, it requires the Maryland Energy Administration to run annual competitive auctions where developers bid to build renewable energy projects. The bill sets specific targets for project capacity, deadlines for completion, and eligibility rules for bidders, including prioritizing projects benefiting low-income or overburdened communities. It redirects existing compliance fees - previously used for solar grants - into this auction system to accelerate renewable energy development.

Maddy summarySB 256 updates Maryland's licensing framework for landscape architects by renaming the governing body from the "State Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects" to the "State Board of Professional Landscape Architects." It revises key definitions, changing "licensed landscape architects" to "professional landscape architects" and clarifying the scope of practice. The bill also adds an "emeritus status" license option for retired professionals and adjusts requirements for board membership, applicant qualifications, exams, and license renewals. These changes primarily affect licensed landscape architects and applicants seeking to practice in Maryland under the updated regulatory structure.

Maddy summarySB 632 creates a new Office of State Elected Officials Information Privacy within Maryland’s Department of Legislative Services. It allows state elected officials (the "protected individuals") to request that their personal details - such as addresses, phone numbers, and email - be removed from public online sources like government websites, social media, or social networks. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for intentionally posting an official’s personal information online under certain circumstances. This replaces the existing Address Confidentiality Program for domestic violence survivors with a dedicated system specifically for protecting state elected officials’ privacy.

Maddy summarySB 588 amends Maryland law to expand eligibility for lifetime complimentary Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing licenses. It adds criteria allowing the Department to issue these licenses to Maryland residents who are former prisoners of war, veterans deemed unemployable by the VA, or 100% service-connected disabled veterans, and to out-of-state applicants whose home states offer similar privileges. The bill also requires the Department to annually compile statistics on complimentary hunting licenses, including the names, occupations, and states of residence of recipients. All complimentary licenses remain free, non-transferable, and subject to a limit of 20 per state.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Maryland's Department of Education to voluntarily add a veteran status notation to the licenses and public profiles of primary and secondary educators. Educators who provide documentation (like a DD Form 214 or VA certification) and consent to the notation can have "Veteran" displayed on their license and public profile. The department would also share this veteran status information with state agencies upon request to help determine eligibility for veterans' benefits. The policy applies only to educators who choose to participate and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 301, the Veterans' Discounts Act, authorizes Maryland state agencies to waive certain fees set by law for veterans. It requires these agencies to adopt specific regulations before implementing fee waivers, ensuring consistent application. The bill affects veterans seeking reduced fees for services like business licenses, professional registrations, and recreational permits managed by various state departments. It amends multiple sections across Maryland’s code (including Agriculture, Business Regulation, and Natural Resources) to establish this waiver framework. The law creates a formal process for fee reductions but does not specify which fees or veterans qualify.

Maddy summarySB 167 allows Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to add a veteran status notation to licenses, permits, registrations, or public profiles upon request. Veterans applying for these items must submit proof (like a DD-214 or VA certification) and consent to having the notation and sharing their eligibility for benefits with agencies. The bill requires the department to include the notation if proof and consent are provided, and to electronically share eligible veterans' information with state agencies upon request. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to DNR-issued licenses and permits.