Sen. Bryan Simonaire

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans' organizations in Anne Arundel County to convert their existing Class C alcohol licenses (for clubs) to veterans-specific licenses. It reduces the annual license fee from $480 to $300 and permits these organizations to sell alcohol on Sundays without needing a separate Sunday permit. The bill also authorizes fee discounts for qualifying veterans' organizations applying for or renewing licenses. It specifically targets organizations with at least 100 military-member dues-paying members meeting federal veterans' group criteria. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 937 requires Maryland's Energy Administration to coordinate with state agencies and neighboring states to advance new nuclear power projects, including cost-sharing agreements and federal site partnerships. It establishes a new process for approving nuclear energy generation projects and mandates that electric companies procure nuclear energy from a special fund. The bill prohibits electricity suppliers from selling power directly to large commercial/industrial customers (defined as those with 100+ megawatt demand) without using the state's transmission system. These changes directly affect electricity suppliers, nuclear developers, and large energy users by restructuring procurement, financing, and sales rules for nuclear power.

Maddy summarySB 369, the "Raymono A. Russell Act," requires public libraries in Maryland (excluding school libraries) to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a visible, accessible location, maintain its functionality, and ensure a staff member trained in AED use is present during all open hours starting January 1, 2026. The bill specifically includes state libraries, regional systems (like Enoch Pratt in Baltimore), and specialized libraries (e.g., for the blind or deaf), but explicitly excludes school library media programs. It also grants legal immunity to libraries and trained individuals for using AEDs under the law’s requirements. This is a direct safety mandate targeting public library operators, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryMaryland's SB 157 establishes the Maryland Disability Service Animal Program within the Department of Disabilities. The program directly affects eligible individuals with disabilities (defined per the ADA) who need service animals trained to perform specific tasks. Key provisions include creating a dedicated fund to pay nonprofit training organizations (selected by the Department) for service animal training, referring eligible individuals to these organizations, and providing additional funding mechanisms to support program participants. The program does not cover emotional support animals, which must be individually trained to perform tasks for a disability.

Maddy summarySB 168 prohibits Maryland’s Department of the Environment and Board of Public Works from processing or approving applications to construct confined aquatic disposal cells (underwater containment structures for contaminated sediments) within a certain distance of "overburdened communities." These communities are defined as census tracts where three or more environmental health indicators - such as high pollution levels, proximity to hazardous sites, or elevated asthma rates - exceed statewide 75th percentile thresholds. The bill directly affects developers seeking to build such disposal cells near these communities and state agencies responsible for environmental approvals. It replaces existing provisions to implement this moratorium, focusing on preventing new disposal projects in areas already facing environmental health burdens.

Maddy summarySB 37 requires investor-owned electric companies in Maryland to submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission detailing all recorded votes cast by the company or its affiliates at regional transmission organization meetings. The bill mandates that companies report every recorded vote (including those not otherwise disclosed) regardless of whether the vote reflects a final position or the voter's authority. Reports must be submitted by February 1 each year covering the prior calendar year's voting activity. This transparency measure applies to all electric companies participating in regional transmission organizations, excluding municipal utilities, and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 103 amends Maryland law to require boaters to report property damage exceeding $2,000 caused by accidents involving their vessels, specifically adding damage to navigational aid markers, lights, or identifiers to the mandatory reporting list. This directly affects boat operators who cause such damage, requiring them to file a report with the Department within 10 days (or 48 hours if injury occurs beyond first aid). The bill expands existing reporting requirements under Section 8-724(b) of the Natural Resources article to explicitly include damage to critical waterway infrastructure. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not apply to vessels already requiring federal inspection.

Maddy summarySB 50 renames the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau to "Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Inc." for all legal and administrative references. The bill updates specific sections of Maryland law (Article 20, Section 603) to reflect this new name, including provisions related to how hotel tax revenue is distributed. This change affects the organization itself, the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (which receives separate hotel tax funds), and county/city officials who receive annual reports on fund usage. The bill does not alter funding percentages, reporting requirements, or the organization's responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames Maryland's Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program to honor former Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. It updates the program's official name throughout state law to "Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Program" without changing the program's structure, funding, or operations. The renaming applies to all references in Maryland's Natural Resources and State Government codes, including funding provisions and program administration details. The program - administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and focused on environmental conservation projects - remains unchanged in its purpose and implementation.

Maddy summarySB 172 amends Maryland law to add the Secretary of Disabilities as a voting member of the Maryland Veterans Trust Board of Trustees, effective October 1, 2025. The bill changes the board’s membership structure from 11 to 12 members by inserting the Secretary of Disabilities as the sixth member, alongside existing cabinet secretaries. This procedural change directly affects the composition of the Trust’s governing board but does not alter the Trust’s funding, services, or operational policies. The bill was introduced by Senator Simonaire and referred to the Education, Energy, and Environment committee.