Sen. Katie Hester

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Integrated Resource Strategic Energy Planning Office within Maryland's Public Service Commission to develop long-term energy forecasts and study wholesale energy markets. The office will work with the Maryland Energy Administration to create energy models and require electric companies to submit integrated resource plans for future energy needs. Public service companies, including electricity and gas suppliers, will pay for the office's operations through an annual assessment billed by the Commission. The legislation also establishes procedures for stakeholder input and public proceedings to inform energy planning decisions.

Maddy summarySB 177 authorizes the Maryland State Department of Education to directly manage procurement of local food for public schools, specifically food grown within 200 miles of schools, from certified local farms, and certified Chesapeake invasive species. This allows the Department to enter master contracts with school systems without approval from other state procurement units. The bill requires the Department to create a centralized platform connecting farmers/distributors with schools and mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing contract volumes and values. It affects local farmers, school systems, and the Department of Education by streamlining how schools source food locally under new procurement rules.

Maddy summarySB 149 establishes a program requiring fossil fuel extraction and petroleum refining businesses to pay into a dedicated Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Fund. The fund will finance projects to adapt to climate impacts (like coastal flooding and extreme weather) and address health effects on vulnerable populations, managed by the Department of the Environment. The bill mandates annual audits of the fund by the Legislative Auditor to ensure proper use of these revenues. This creates a new state revenue stream for climate action directly tied to fossil fuel industry payments.

Maddy summarySB 655 establishes a pilot program within Maryland's Administrative Office of the Courts to provide courts with expert analysis on the authenticity of electronic evidence potentially altered by artificial intelligence. The program will partner with academic institutions and technology professionals to develop expert witness resources, prioritizing civil cases where parties lack legal representation or access to such expertise. It requires the Administrative Office to issue a request for proposals (with preference for Maryland-based academic entities focused on AI) and authorizes $250,000 annually for fiscal years 2027-2028, limiting administrative costs to 20% of funds. The clinic aims to support fairer judicial outcomes in cases involving AI-generated evidence, directly affecting circuit and district courts handling civil matters.

Maddy summarySB 117 establishes a program to fund upgrades of septic systems using nitrogen-removal technology through Maryland's Bay Restoration Fund. The Department of the Environment must evaluate and rank these technologies based on nitrogen reduction effectiveness, total cost (including operation), and cost per pound of nitrogen removed. Funding prioritizes failing septic systems in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, nitrogen-impaired water bodies, and systems threatening public health or water quality, with grants covering up to 100% of upgrade costs. The bill also expands eligibility to include community sewerage systems and exempts certain technology purchases from standard state procurement rules.

Maddy summarySB 37 requires investor-owned electric companies in Maryland to submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission detailing all recorded votes cast by the company or its affiliates at regional transmission organization meetings. The bill mandates that companies report every recorded vote (including those not otherwise disclosed) regardless of whether the vote reflects a final position or the voter's authority. Reports must be submitted by February 1 each year covering the prior calendar year's voting activity. This transparency measure applies to all electric companies participating in regional transmission organizations, excluding municipal utilities, and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a producer responsibility program requiring companies that make packaging and paper products to submit approved plans to the Maryland Department of the Environment by 2034. Under the new rules, producers must either create their own recycling and collection plans or join a producer responsibility organization that manages these responsibilities on their behalf. The bill also creates a new advisory council to oversee the program, requires independent assessments of statewide recycling needs every ten years, and allows local governments to request reimbursement from producers for certain program costs. Companies cannot sell or distribute covered packaging materials in Maryland unless they have an approved plan on file with the state.

Maddy summarySB 946 establishes a new permit process allowing incidental taking (unintentional harm or killing) of certain bat species in Maryland. It requires applicants, such as developers or landowners, to submit a detailed conservation plan outlining impacts, mitigation steps, funding, and alternatives considered. The Secretary of Natural Resources must then verify the taking won’t harm bat recovery, the plan is fully funded and implementable, and federal permits are secured. This directly affects entities working in areas with protected bat populations and the state agency overseeing wildlife permits.

Maddy summarySB 871 requires Maryland's community water and sewer system providers to implement cybersecurity measures and report incidents to the Department of the Environment. It mandates these providers to follow minimum security standards meeting federal benchmarks, develop plans for service disruptions from cyberattacks (like ransomware), and complete staff training on cybersecurity. The Department of Environment must coordinate with IT and emergency management departments to establish these requirements, update regulations, and maintain a list of approved training programs. The law also prohibits public record inspections related to critical infrastructure security, focusing on concrete operational changes for water and sewer systems.

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.