Sen. Johnny Salling

Maddy summarySB 566 updates Maryland's historic vehicle registration rules by raising the minimum age requirement from 1999 model year (25 years old as of 2024) to 2001 model year (25 years old as of 2026). It requires owners to certify vehicles won't be used for daily commuting, commercial purposes, or employment, while maintaining exemptions from vehicle inspections and emissions testing. Registration fees increase to $55.50 annually after July 2025, with a $50 one-time fee for vehicles 60+ years old (non-transferable). The bill automatically reinstates historic registrations suspended due to this age change, effective July 1, 2026, and applies only prospectively.

Maddy summarySB 382, the "Retire in Maryland Tax Relief Act," provides a state income tax credit for Maryland residents aged 77 or older with federal adjusted gross income under $175,000 (for individuals or certain filing statuses). The credit amount increases with age: 25% of state tax for 77-year-olds, rising to 100% for those 80 or older. Married couples filing jointly must both be 77+ to qualify for the tiered credit, and unused credit amounts cannot be carried forward to future years. The bill applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 302 prohibits knowingly causing another person to ingest an abortion-inducing drug when the person knows or believes the other is pregnant and does so without consent, through fraud/coercion, or force/threat of force. The bill directly affects individuals who would cause others to take such drugs under these specific conditions. Key provisions define "abortion-inducing drug" and establish that violations constitute a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to conduct occurring after that date.

Maddy summarySB 304 prevents Maryland auto insurers from raising premiums, adding fees, or removing discounts for private vehicle insurance when a driver has an accident with a free-roaming wild animal (like a deer) and wasn't at fault. It directly affects car insurance policyholders who experience such unavoidable collisions. The law specifically prohibits insurers from using these accident types as a reason to penalize customers through price increases or loss of discounts. The rule takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 106 would repeal Maryland's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program, ending the requirement for biennial emissions tests and equipment inspections for most vehicles. This directly affects Maryland vehicle owners (primarily those with vehicles from 1977 model year onward) who currently must comply with the program. The bill removes all legal provisions related to the program, including testing requirements, waiver processes for repair costs, and certification rules for repair facilities. It does not create new requirements but eliminates the existing mandate under Maryland law. This repeal would end the state-level enforcement of emissions inspections, though federal requirements may still apply.

Maddy summarySB 234 authorizes Maryland governmental units (like cities or counties) to legally acquire property containing abandoned cemeteries through a formal process. It requires these units to make reasonable efforts to contact descendants of those buried there or descendant community organizations before transferring the land to them. The bill also allows descendants or eligible organizations to request a court order to transfer the property to themselves. Whoever receives the land must maintain and preserve the cemetery, and if no claimant is found within a reasonable time, the government must maintain the cemetery or arrange for reinterment of remains. This law directly affects governments managing abandoned cemetery properties, descendants of the interred, and community organizations with cultural ties to the sites.

Maddy summarySB 232 requires Maryland state agencies to meet annual procurement targets for businesses located in designated "Historically Underutilized Business Zones" (HUBZBs), starting at 1% of total procurement spending in 2026-2027 and rising to 3% by 2029. It mandates the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to create a certification process verifying HUBZB eligibility based on federal SBA standards and location within designated zones. The bill directly affects state procurement units and qualifying HUBZB businesses, which must meet size criteria (e.g., revenue or employee thresholds) to participate. It establishes penalties for noncompliance but does not alter existing small business definitions beyond the HUBZB category.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every Maryland public school to have at least one airway clearing device (a portable suction device for choking emergencies) and authorizes school nurses and trained staff to use it during choking incidents. It mandates storage near eating areas and training for staff on device use and choking response. The State Department of Education must create a standard form for schools to report all device usage incidents, and the bill grants liability protection to staff acting in good faith during emergencies. The policy applies directly to all public schools, students, and school personnel in Maryland, with implementation required by July 2026.

Maddy summarySB 104, the "Fair Districts for Maryland Act," reforms how Maryland draws legislative and congressional district lines. It requires all legislative districts to be divided into three single-member delegate districts and establishes an independent Redistricting Commission to create these maps, replacing the previous process involving the Governor and General Assembly. The bill bans consideration of political party affiliation, past voting patterns, or individual residences when drawing districts, and gives the Maryland Supreme Court original authority to review plans if the Commission fails to act. This directly affects all Maryland voters by changing how district boundaries are determined, aiming to create more equitable maps based on population and community boundaries rather than political strategy.

Maddy summarySB 533 establishes a one-year-and-one-day deadline for Maryland law enforcement agencies to file administrative charges related to police misconduct complaints, starting from when the agency becomes aware of the incident. This applies to most cases, including those not requiring an administrative committee review, and ensures timely action on complaints from the public. For incidents tied to ongoing criminal investigations, the deadline extends until the criminal case concludes or the prosecutor declines charges. The bill aims to prevent indefinite delays in holding officers accountable while aligning administrative processes with criminal proceedings.