We just passed the halfway point for this years session. Most legislation that has a chance to go through has already been introduced.  Now is the time to expect an intense push to get priority bills to the finish line. Here's an update on a few of the bills GSSCC is following.

SB280/HB166 - Minimum Wage and Enforcement (Fight for Fifteen) - Like the earlier hearing in the House, last week's Senate hearing lasted well into the evening. Some 40 businesses from across the state were on hand to testify, some staying more than eight hours to testify in the last panel which ended after 9 p.m. GSSCC submitted testimony for the record urging lawmakers to make sure whatever legislation is finally voted is not more onerous than the law that already exists in Montgomery County. In its current form, the State bill would apply the minimum wage to tipped employees and includes substantial reporting and penalty requirements against employers, even those who make an honest mistake.

HB341 - Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, championed by  Montgomery County Delegate Arianna Kelly, received what has been described as a "frosty" reception during as recent hearing. Delegates pushed back on the cost of the program, not just to employers, but to the state.  Proponents had testified that start-up costs to the state would be about $15 million, but the fiscal note prepared by the General Assembly's Department of Legislative Services estimate start-up costs between $21 million and $23 million. When asked, the proponent's experts could not explain how they benchmarked potential costs. 

HB150/SB174 - More Opportunities for Marylanders Act of 2019 - GSSCC will join other business groups around the state in support of this bill, requested by Governor Hogan, that would extend various state programs that provide tax credits and other benefits for employers creating jobs in Maryland. Here's a link to the bill.

 

. . .and now, for the next year, Nothing Bundt Cakes

 will deliver a cake to all new Chamber members AND existing members who renew by their anniversary dates.  GSSCC sincerely thanks Nothing Bundt Cakes for helping us say THANK YOU! to our new and existing members.