Sen. Cory McCray

Maddy summarySB 63 requires state contracts for construction or security services exceeding $2 million in value and lasting three or more years to include a clause allowing cost adjustments when new laws increase required pay or benefits for workers. This directly affects contractors working on large-scale state projects, such as building infrastructure or providing security services. The bill mandates that any contract modification for these cost increases must be approved by Maryland’s Chief Procurement Officer. The law aims to ensure fair adjustments to contracts without requiring renegotiation for every statutory change.

Maddy summarySB 284 establishes civil penalties for Baltimore City alcohol license holders who operate outside permitted hours without an exemption. It directly affects restaurants (Class B/D licenses), pharmacies, and hotels that serve food after closing, requiring them to follow specific exemption rules under Section 12-2007. The bill sets fines of at least $1,000 (or license suspension) for a first violation and $2,000-$20,000 (or suspension) for repeat offenses under Section 12-2802(f). Exemptions allow limited late-hour operations for seated dining in certain restaurants, pharmacies, or hotels meeting strict criteria. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 295 establishes Maryland's Income Tax Reconciliation Program to help people recently released from prison with unpaid income tax debts. It directly affects individuals who were incarcerated for 6 months to 10 years in state or federal facilities within the past two years. The program allows them to set up payment plans for income tax owed during their incarceration and automatically waives all accrued interest and penalties. The Comptroller administers the program, collaborates with correctional services to promote awareness, and must report annually on its impact starting in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 653 creates a pilot program that gives a price preference in government contracts to companies using Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for specific Maryland institutions. It applies to procurements under $80 million by the Maryland Stadium Authority, University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College, and Baltimore City Community College. Contractors must disclose if they use an ESOP, and the program requires these entities to consider ESOP-based bids favorably during procurement. This is a temporary pilot program modifying existing procurement rules to encourage ESOP adoption in public contracting.

Maddy summarySB 304 authorizes Baltimore City's Board of License Commissioners to issue a new Class C beer, wine, and liquor license for businesses operating in the 400 block of East Oliver Street within the 45th Alcoholic Beverages District. The license requires outdoor service only (no indoor seating), prohibits off-premises sales, mandates service begin no earlier than 10 a.m., and requires a memorandum of understanding with the Greenmount West Community Association. The bill also modifies operating hour boundaries for existing Class A and Class B-D-7 licenses in the 45th district. This directly affects businesses seeking this specific license type and the Greenmount West community through the required community agreement.

Maddy summarySB 381 limits access to images captured by automated traffic enforcement systems (like speed cameras or red-light cameras) in Maryland. It requires agencies operating these systems to deny public access to recorded images, except for specific cases like people who received a ticket or for official traffic enforcement investigations. The bill also prohibits state or local agencies from using these images or associated data without a warrant, subpoena, or court order, unless the use is directly related to traffic enforcement. Additionally, it sets requirements for securely deleting the images after a set period. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies managing automated traffic enforcement systems and protects the privacy of drivers whose vehicles are captured.

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 326 establishes confidentiality rules for peer support programs in Maryland law enforcement agencies. It requires that communications between officers and peer support specialists (trained law enforcement staff or Fraternal Order of Police members) remain private, with limited exceptions for threats of suicide, imminent harm to others, child/vulnerable adult abuse, or criminal admissions. Before any session, specialists must provide written notice of these confidentiality rules to participants. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and officers using these peer support services, ensuring their counseling discussions are protected unless specific safety or legal thresholds are met.

Maddy summarySB 600 authorizes Baltimore City to implement a pilot program using automated stop sign monitoring systems in school zones, subject to local approval. It allows citations and civil penalties for drivers who fail to stop at stop signs in these zones, with specific defenses available for alleged violations. The bill specifies that penalties collected from these citations must cover system costs first, with any remaining funds dedicated solely to public safety programs like pedestrian safety initiatives. It also prohibits contractors administering the systems from being paid based on citation volume. This pilot program applies only to school zones within Baltimore City and requires city authorization before implementation.

Maddy summarySB 911 increases Maryland's property tax exemption for blind individuals and their surviving spouses from $15,000 to $40,000 on their primary residence. The bill defines a "blind individual" as someone with a permanent visual impairment meeting specific medical criteria and clarifies that the exemption applies to the assessed value of a dwelling house (including the lot and necessary structures). Surviving spouses who haven't remarried become eligible for the exemption after the blind individual's death. The bill also specifies that individuals cannot claim both this exemption and another specific property tax exemption, though they may use it alongside other available exemptions.