Sen. Johnny Mautz

Maddy summarySB 836 reduces Maryland's corporate income tax rate over a five-year period, directly affecting corporations operating in Maryland that pay state income tax. It lowers the rate from 8.25% (for 2025) to 7.75% (2026-2027), then to 7.25% (2027-2028), 6.75% (2028-2029), and finally 6.25% (starting in 2029). The bill phases these changes through specific tax year ranges, with the full reduction effective July 1, 2025. This policy aims to adjust Maryland's corporate tax structure without altering the tax base or other provisions.

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 588, the "Fairness in Girls' Sports Act," requires Maryland public and certain nonpublic high schools to explicitly designate interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams as "boys'/male/men's," "girls'/female/women's," or "coed." It prohibits male students from participating on teams designated for females and prevents governmental entities or athletic associations from penalizing schools for maintaining separate teams for students of the female sex. The bill also allows students who lose athletic opportunities due to violations to file civil lawsuits against their schools, and protects students from retaliation for reporting violations. This law directly affects high schools in Maryland that sponsor competitive sports teams and applies to all such teams designated for females.

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 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 960 creates a new commercial license for catching blue and flathead catfish in Maryland's tidal waters, primarily affecting commercial fishers who target these species. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to establish a pilot program allowing finfish trotlines up to 2,400 feet long, no limit on hooks, and non-corrosible hooks for blue catfish harvest. It mandates an annual $15 license fee (valid Sept. 1-Aug. 31) and requires the Department of Agriculture to report by Sept. 2025 on processing, marketing, and financing blue catfish harvests. The legislation aims to manage blue catfish populations in the Chesapeake Bay through regulated commercial fishing methods.

Maddy summarySB 796 repeals the specific time restriction that limited Sunday hunting in Dorchester County to 30 minutes before sunrise until 10:30 a.m. This change directly affects hunters in Dorchester County during designated game bird and mammal hunting seasons. The bill removes the 10:30 a.m. cutoff, allowing hunting to continue throughout the entire Sunday without time limits. The law will take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 841 establishes a designated public clam fishery area in the Chesapeake Bay. The bill requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources, working with the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission, to define this area by regulation using data from commercial clam harvesting activity (2022-2025), department surveys, and other available information. It prohibits leasing this public area for shellfish aquaculture (commercial farming). Tidal fish license holders may harvest clams outside the designated area unless otherwise restricted by law. The law takes effect June 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 958 defines "catastrophic damage" as the loss of 50% or more of crops in a single field due to deer. It authorizes Maryland's Department of Agriculture to approve extraordinary measures - like targeted deer removal - to reduce deer populations causing such severe crop losses. The bill requires the Department to adopt regulations mandating that individuals using these measures report the number of deer harvested at each affected field. This policy directly affects farmers experiencing major crop losses from deer, with the new rules taking effect October 1, 2025.