Sen. Steve Hershey

Maddy summarySB 1020 prohibits Maryland's Department of the Environment from adopting California's Advanced Clean Cars II regulations before the 2031 vehicle model year. It also stops the department from applying enforcement penalties to motor vehicle manufacturers who miss electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid delivery targets under California's program. The bill amends Maryland's environmental code (specifically sections 2-1102, 2-1103, and 2-1106) to create these restrictions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects the state agency's regulatory authority and vehicle manufacturers operating in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 562 designates the Original Maryland Orange Crush cocktail as Maryland's official state cocktail. The bill amends Maryland's Annotated Code by adding Section 7-313 to formally establish this designation, effective June 1, 2025. This is a ceremonial procedural bill with no regulatory, funding, or policy changes beyond the official naming. It directly affects Maryland's state symbolism but has no impact on laws or regulations governing cocktails.

Maddy summarySB 644 requires Baltimore City school resource officers to carry firearms at all times while on school premises, including before/after school hours and on non-school days. This applies specifically to Baltimore City school police officers and school resource officers assigned to schools under Maryland law. The bill amends sections of the Maryland Annotated Code to mandate this firearm requirement, replacing prior language that allowed discretion. It does not change existing training requirements for officers, which include de-escalation and bias awareness. The law directly affects Baltimore City school resource officers and their on-site safety protocols.

Maddy summarySB 557 prohibits Maryland state and local governments from imposing a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) tax, mileage-based user fee, GPS toll, or similar tax. It also bans requiring the installation of tracking devices in privately owned vehicles to report mileage. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly block these measures under the "Transportation Freedom Act of 2025," with one exception allowing existing fuel tax agreements under Section 9-205. This directly affects state/local authorities and vehicle owners by preventing new mileage-based taxation or tracking requirements.

Maddy summarySB 531 (Juvenile Justice Restoration Act of 2025) requires law enforcement officers to consult with an attorney before questioning a child in custody. The law mandates that officers must contact either a parent/guardian-appointed attorney or the Office of the Public Defender and attempt to notify parents/guardians before interrogation, with exceptions only for immediate public safety threats or parental consent. It creates a rebuttable presumption that statements made without compliance are inadmissible in court, and requires detailed record-keeping of attorney consultations and notifications. This directly affects minors facing police questioning, law enforcement officers (including school resource officers), and the Office of the Public Defender, which must develop policies and provide attorney resources.

Maddy summarySB 876 requires Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (MMAP) to provide comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment starting July 1, 2026. This coverage includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, with no additional restrictions beyond the FDA's approved uses. The Maryland Department of Health must notify all MMAP recipients about this coverage by June 1, 2026, through written materials and program communications. The bill directly affects low-income Maryland residents enrolled in MMAP who qualify for obesity treatment under these new guidelines.

Maddy summarySB 483 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to evaluate alternatives to building new transmission lines whenever specific conditions are met, such as preserving historical, environmental, or agricultural areas, or avoiding conflicts with planned residential zones. The bill expands the Commission's review to include options like using existing utility corridors, reconductoring older lines, or undergrounding existing infrastructure instead of constructing new routes. This directly affects utility companies planning new transmission projects and the Commission, which must now consider these alternatives before approving new construction. The law applies to all new transmission line projects within Maryland starting October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 675 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to conduct a detailed analysis comparing the full costs and benefits of different electricity generation sources for ratepayers. The study must evaluate three specific scenarios: current natural gas and nuclear capacity, plus 8,500 megawatts of offshore wind (with energy storage to address intermittency), and compare costs using the Levelized Full System Cost model. It specifically examines how energy storage affects reliability costs for each source and identifies the most cost-effective options. The Commission must submit findings and policy recommendations to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This analysis directly affects Maryland electricity ratepayers by informing potential future energy policy decisions based on cost comparisons.

Maddy summarySB 478 requires the Maryland Public Service Commission to obtain written approval from every county or municipal government where a solar energy generating station is proposed before approving its construction. This directly affects solar energy developers, who must now secure local consent from all affected jurisdictions prior to state-level review. The bill amends state law to mandate this local approval step for solar projects, adding it as a prerequisite for the Commission to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity. The requirement takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 877 increases the number of resident judges for Queen Anne's County's Circuit Court from one to two. The bill amends Maryland's Annotated Code (sections 1-501 and 1-503) to update the county's judge count specifically in section 1-503(17). This change directly affects Queen Anne's County residents by adding a second judge position to handle local court caseloads. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.