Sen. Steve Hershey

Maddy summarySB 959 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to update the landward boundaries of wetlands on precise maps after shoreline stabilization improvements (like marsh creation) are completed. It affects landowners with tidal wetlands licenses who implement such improvements. The bill mandates these boundary updates be shown on maps at a 1-inch-to-200-feet scale. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and modifies existing wetlands statutes to clarify this process.

Maddy summarySB 838 requires local election boards in Maryland to verify signatures on absentee ballot return envelopes before counting them. It mandates that both the voter and a witness (except for active-duty military members overseas or their dependents living overseas) must sign the envelope, and boards must compare the voter's signature against their registration record. The bill directly affects absentee voters, election officials, and military personnel stationed abroad who vote by mail. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and amends Maryland election law to strengthen signature verification procedures for absentee ballots.

Maddy summarySB 479 amends Maryland's building energy performance standards to exclude public safety, emergency, and public utility buildings from the definition of "covered building." This means fire stations, police facilities, emergency shelters, and utility buildings will not be subject to the energy efficiency requirements that apply to other large commercial or state-owned buildings (35,000+ sq. ft.). The bill achieves this by revising Section 2-1601(e) of the Maryland Annotated Code to explicitly remove these building types from coverage. The change directly affects these specific public infrastructure facilities by exempting them from annual reporting and emissions reduction targets under the law.

Maddy summarySB 837 prohibits Maryland's Department of Natural Resources from using federal funds for oyster restoration projects in state waters between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2030. This restriction does not apply to projects within five established oyster sanctuaries (Harris Creek, Little Choptank River, Tred Avon River, St. Mary’s River, and Manokin River) defined in existing law. The bill directly affects the Department of Natural Resources' use of federal funding for new restoration efforts during this 5-year period. It automatically expires on June 30, 2030, without requiring further legislative action.

Maddy summarySB 735 (Geri's Law) prohibits incarcerated individuals serving sentences for first-degree or second-degree murder from earning time-off credits that reduce their prison terms. It also limits time-off credits for violent crime offenders to no more than 10% of their total sentence for violent offenses, and bars judges from allowing pretrial release for defendants charged with violent crimes if they have pending charges or recent violent convictions. The bill amends Maryland law to restrict credit deductions under correctional services and criminal procedure codes, specifically targeting violent offenses defined in the Criminal Law Article. These changes apply directly to individuals convicted of murder or violent crimes in state or local correctional facilities.

Maddy summarySB 661, the "Protect Maryland Farm Lands Act," changes how farmland is compensated when taken through eminent domain. It requires the fair market value of agricultural property actively used for farming to be set at 350% of the highest appraisal value, instead of standard market value. This directly affects Maryland farmers whose land is acquired for public projects (like roads or transmission lines) and the government entities conducting those takings. The bill also allows property owners to use the assessed tax value if it exceeds the appraisal, and applies retroactively to all past and future condemnation cases involving qualifying farmland.

Maddy summarySB 637 clarifies that registered vessels (under Maryland’s Natural Resources Article) are explicitly excluded from the definition of a "nonwater-dependent project" on wetlands. This change directly affects vessel owners and operators, as it removes vessels from a category that previously allowed certain construction permits on wetlands. The bill amends Maryland law to specify that vessels - regardless of use - do not qualify as projects that can be built on State or private wetlands without additional permits. Key provisions now prevent vessels from being treated as "nonwater-dependent" structures, streamlining regulatory clarity for wetland development. This focuses on defining scope, not altering permit requirements for other project types.

Maddy summarySB 538 creates the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states more easily. It requires passing a uniform national exam (ADEX) and establishes a Commission to manage shared licensing records and investigations, while ensuring each state maintains regulatory control. The bill specifically eliminates fees for military members and their spouses relocating due to service, and prevents duplicate documentation for license transfers. This directly affects licensed dental professionals seeking to work across state lines, patients in member states, and military families. The compact aims to streamline access to dental care without weakening public safety standards through shared information.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies theft of firearms as a felony in Maryland, making it punishable under existing felony theft penalties regardless of the firearm's value. It directly affects individuals who steal firearms by subjecting them to felony charges instead of potential misdemeanor charges under current law. The key mechanism is amending Maryland's theft statute (Section 7-104) to explicitly include firearms in the felony classification, removing a prior exemption that allowed firearm theft to be treated as a misdemeanor if the value was below $1,500.

Maddy summarySB 355 delays the start dates for Maryland's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. It pushes back the employee and employer contribution start date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027, and postpones the first eligibility to submit claims for benefits from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028. This affects employees, employers with 15+ staff, and self-employed individuals who would contribute to the program, as well as workers seeking benefits for reasons like newborn care, family medical needs, or military family situations. The bill does not change the program's benefit amounts, coverage, or cost structure - only the implementation timeline.