Sen. Bill Ferguson

Maddy summarySB 10 removes "waste-to-energy" and "refuse-derived fuel" from the list of eligible sources under Maryland's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS). This change directly affects energy producers who previously counted waste-to-energy generation toward state renewable energy goals. The bill amends Maryland law to exclude these sources from Tier 1 renewable eligibility, effective October 1, 2025, for compliance years starting January 1, 2025. It does not alter other eligible sources like solar, wind, or qualifying biomass.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for alcoholic beverage licenses in Baltimore City's 46th district, specifically allowing the Board of License Commissioners to issue a limited number of new licenses within a defined area near South Locust Point. It permits existing licenses to be moved to new locations only if they remain at least 300 feet away from schools or places of worship, and it prohibits transferring licenses into the newly designated zone. The legislation also enables certain restaurants to convert from beer-and-wine licenses to full liquor licenses if they meet specific criteria, such as generating over 51% of revenue from food sales and signing a community agreement. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date of some existing licenses to facilitate their transfer and restricts new licenses from being granted to recipients of certain state grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's existing Law Enforcement Cadet Apprenticeship Program into a broader Public Safety Apprenticeship Program that includes correctional facilities and other public safety agencies. It increases the maximum grant amounts available to agencies, raising the startup grant limit to $200,000 and the per-apprentice stabilization grant to $5,000, while also requiring agencies to bargain with unions regarding employment terms before receiving funds. Additionally, the legislation mandates the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create mental health wellness policies for law enforcement and correctional facilities and establishes a new workgroup to study ways to increase employment in these sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention within the Maryland Department of Health to reduce gun violence and misuse through a public health approach. The center will be led by an executive director who will partner with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as communities disproportionately affected by firearm violence, to develop and implement prevention strategies. Key actions include creating a state plan by May 2025, offering training and technical assistance to agencies and organizations, sharing data across jurisdictions, and promoting evidence-based initiatives. Funding for the center will be included in the state's annual budget starting in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Maryland Entertainment District Security Grant Program to help fund security operations in specific areas of the state. The program targets neighborhoods with high concentrations of bars, hookah lounges, or live entertainment venues that experience heavy foot traffic and frequent police calls for service. Eligible recipients include community organizations, nonprofits, and local governments, which must apply through the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The program is financed by a special state fund that will receive up to $1 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026, with money used solely for grants and administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new programs within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support technology-based start-up companies in the Baltimore area. The first program provides grants of up to $50,000 to startups founded by students or faculty at local universities, requiring that at least 20% of the funds be used to hire third-party consultants for planning and technical assistance. The second program, a pilot initiative, offers incentives to eligible universities to foster entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, and commercialization projects, particularly those involving artificial intelligence or machine learning in healthcare and biotechnology. Additionally, the legislation repeals a previous mandated appropriation for a telework assistance grant program and requires annual budget allocations for these new innovation initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines specific types of small-scale electricity generators as exempt from the requirement to obtain a state Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. It directly affects owners of facilities that build backup power systems for critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and data centers, as well as those installing small solar arrays. The legislation allows these projects to proceed without the usual regulatory approvals if they produce no more than 14 megawatts of power and include safety features that prevent electricity from flowing back into the main grid during outages. Additionally, the law adjusts how income tax revenue is calculated for corporations operating certain data centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence within Maryland state government by creating a new subcabinet and requiring agencies to conduct annual inventories of their AI systems and impact assessments. It mandates that the Department of Information Technology develop policies for the development, procurement, and deployment of AI while prohibiting certain agencies from using AI in specific high-risk scenarios until further guidelines are set. The legislation also introduces a formal competitive procurement method called "proof of concept" to test new AI products and services, while exempting certain financial and higher education offices from some of these requirements.