Sen. Carl Jackson

Maddy summarySB 637 would remove a requirement that the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) must pay insurance agents (fund producers) at least 10% commission on private passenger auto insurance policies. Currently, state law mandates this minimum rate, but the bill deletes that "not less than 10%" provision. After passage, MAIF could set commission rates below 10% for these policies, though it would still be capped at 15%. This directly affects insurance agents who sell MAIF policies, changing how they are compensated.

Maddy summarySB 72 allows Baltimore County restaurants and bars with specific licenses to sell mixed drinks in sealed containers for off-premises consumption, but only if the county's Board of License Commissioners adopts regulations first. These regulations must consider public health impacts, and the bill prohibits the board from charging extra fees for this service. To purchase, customers must be 21+, show ID, and the drinks must be in sealed containers sold before 11 PM. The bill also lets the board limit the quantity sold per person in one transaction. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 858 establishes the Audit and Finance Compliance Unit within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management. The unit directly affects all Executive Branch state agencies by monitoring their progress in resolving audit findings from the Office of Legislative Audits. Key provisions require the unit to create a public dashboard on its website showing agency audit status (including resolution timelines and repeat findings), form a specialized team to assist agencies with four or more repeat audit issues, and report quarterly to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. The dashboard must launch by October 1, 2027, and track corrective actions for all agencies annually.

Maddy summarySB 806 requires health professionals applying for new licenses in Maryland to undergo a criminal history records check starting July 1, 2027. This applies to professions including nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and others regulated by specific state boards. Applicants must submit fingerprints and pay fees to a central repository, with results kept confidential and used only for licensing decisions. The bill also mandates a similar check for license renewals for professionals licensed before January 1, 2028, during their first renewal after that date.

Maddy summarySB 606 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to analyze unused E-ZPass commuter trips from 2023-2025 and submit a report by September 2026. The report must include data on unused trips (numbers, costs, demographics) and recommend solutions like extending usage windows or offering rollovers to reduce forfeited funds. It also mandates a corrective action plan if over 25% of discount plans had unused trips during those years. The bill directly affects E-ZPass commuters, particularly low-income residents and those in communities with limited banking access, by addressing financial losses from unused prepaid trips. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and expires June 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 783 changes Maryland law to allow the board of a surviving credit union (the credit union continuing after a merger) to approve a merger without needing a majority vote from its members, provided the Commissioner of Financial Regulation approves. This directly affects Maryland credit unions planning to merge or consolidate, as it removes the requirement for member approval at the surviving credit union. The key mechanism allows a majority of the surviving credit union's board to adopt a resolution declaring a merger advisable and set a vote date, with the Commissioner able to waive member votes or substitute approval methods. The bill modifies existing law (Section 6-803) to reflect this change, while still requiring member approval for merging credit unions. The change takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 35 designates the Natural History Society of Maryland as Maryland's official State Natural Science Museum. This bill formally recognizes the Society's role through a change in state law (renumbering sections and adding Section 7-326), effective October 1, 2026, with no new funding or policy requirements.

Maddy summarySB 233 allows "Descendant Community Organizations" (groups with cultural ties or ancestors buried in a cemetery) to legally challenge proposals to sell, transfer, or repurpose cemetery land. The bill requires courts to consider the cemetery's role as a permanent sacred space for honoring the dead and preserving community history when reviewing such proposals. It amends Maryland law to clarify who can bring these legal actions and what courts must evaluate. The bill directly affects cemetery owners proposing land changes and descendant groups seeking to protect burial sites. It does not change burial practices or fees but adds a legal safeguard for cemeteries facing potential sale or redevelopment.

Maddy summarySB 579 requires Maryland counties with volunteer fire companies to provide no-cost preventive cancer screenings to volunteer firefighters, based on guidelines from the International Association of Fire Fighters. Volunteer fire companies must maintain and annually submit updated lists of their members to the county, which must then keep these records. Counties can meet this requirement by offering annual exams including cancer screenings or applying for specific grants to fund innovative screening technologies. The bill directly affects volunteer firefighters and counties, creating a structured process for access to preventive care without cost to the firefighters.

Maddy summarySB 439 prohibits Maryland fire and rescue public safety employers from taking negative employment actions (like firing or denying promotions) against employees who use medical cannabis, provided the employee has a valid medical cannabis certification under state law. It amends existing Maryland law to explicitly add this protection for public safety workers, aligning with current medical cannabis certification requirements. The bill does not change how medical cannabis is certified but ensures these employees cannot face discrimination solely for using cannabis legally under the state program. This applies to all fire and rescue employees who meet the state's medical cannabis eligibility criteria.