Sen. Justin Ready

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 950 authorizes the construction, permitting, and operation of natural gas generating facilities in Maryland until the state meets 50% of its energy needs from renewable resources (including nuclear energy). Once this 50% threshold is reached, the Maryland Energy Administration must work with facility owners to decrease natural gas production at the same rate that renewable energy production increases. The bill directly affects natural gas facility owners and operators, requiring them to adjust operations as renewable energy grows. It includes specific permitting requirements (certificate of public convenience or commission approval) and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 947 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to create regulations for generating stations co-located with data centers that are not connected to the state's main power grid. It directly affects data center operators seeking to build on-site power generation without grid interconnection. Key provisions define such stations as "independent resources" exempt from standard utility fees and renewable energy mandates, mandate backup power and cybersecurity safeguards, and require annual reports on energy sources, environmental impact, and contributions to state energy goals. The bill aims to establish a regulatory framework for these standalone facilities while ensuring reliability and accountability.

Maddy summarySB 953 establishes a 19-member Task Force to study Maryland's electricity needs through 2040, focusing on limiting out-of-state electricity imports to 25% by 2030 and analyzing costs for ratepayers. The bill temporarily halts the Public Service Commission from approving new or expanded transmission lines from July 1, 2025, through May 1, 2026. The Task Force, including utility representatives, environmental groups, and ratepayer advocates, must report findings by December 2025, examining scenarios for energy reliability and cost. This directly affects utilities planning infrastructure, ratepayers facing potential bill changes, and state energy planners developing long-term strategies. The moratorium expires automatically on June 30, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 952 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to consider "grid enhancing technologies" when reviewing applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity for overhead transmission lines. These technologies include high-performance conductors and storage systems designed to improve grid capacity, efficiency, reliability, and resilience. The bill amends existing law (Section 7-207(f)) to add these considerations to the Commission's decision-making process, directly affecting utility companies seeking approval for new transmission projects. This policy change expands the Commission's evaluation criteria without altering other existing requirements for transmission line reviews.

Maddy summarySB 643 allows natural gas energy generating systems to be constructed, permitted, and operated in Maryland, subject to two requirements: obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or Commission approval for construction. The bill explicitly states the General Assembly's support for developing additional nuclear energy (including small modular reactors and nuclear-natural gas combinations) and urges PJM Interconnection to expedite grid connections for new thermal power plants. It directly affects energy developers seeking to build natural gas or nuclear facilities and the PJM grid operator. The law modifies Maryland’s public utilities code to streamline permitting for these energy sources while maintaining key regulatory approvals. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

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 563 establishes the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund to support agricultural fairs and education. The fund, financed by designated lottery proceeds and interest earnings, will provide annual grants totaling $1.45 million: $825,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, $75,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, and $550,000 to the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society. These grants will advance state and county fairs, educational programs, youth initiatives (like 4-H and FFA), and fair operations. The bill repeals prior requirements for allocating horse racing fund proceeds to agricultural fairs.

Maddy summarySB 699 amends Maryland's Forest Conservation Act to exclude new transmission and distribution electric lines built on or after October 1, 2025, from the definition of "linear project." This change exempts electric companies from forest conservation requirements - including afforestation (tree replanting) mandates - when constructing these new utility lines. The bill specifically revises sections 5-1601(u), 5-1602(b)(7), and 5-1606(a)(5) of Maryland's Annotated Code to implement this exclusion. It directly affects electric utilities planning new infrastructure projects after the effective date, removing a key regulatory requirement for tree replacement on those specific projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland's General Assembly to appoint a 7-member delegation and an advisory committee to represent the state at a future constitutional convention called under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, if such a convention is convened. It sets specific qualifications for commissioners (e.g., U.S. citizenship for 5+ years, Maryland residency for 5+ years, no recent federal lobbying or employment), mandates an oath of office, and establishes procedures for their appointment, recall, or removal by the legislature. The bill directly affects Maryland's state government by creating a formal process for participation in a potential national convention to propose constitutional amendments. It does not address the content of any amendments but outlines administrative requirements for Maryland's delegation.