March 3rd, 2023
2023 Session Report

Dear Friends, 

We are officially in the second half of the session! This means longer bill hearings and expanded voting lists, however we are making great progress.

I had a few bill hearings this week:

  • SB0678 Health Insurance - Reimbursement for Services Rendered by a Pharmacist requires the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, the Maryland Children's Health Program, and certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for all services rendered by a licensed pharmacist within the pharmacist's lawful scope of practice, rather than only certain services, to the same extent as services rendered by any other health care practitioner.


  • SBO0681 Education – Virtual Schools – Access to Extracurricular Activities and Athletics provides virtual school students with access to extracurricular activities and athletics at the public school the student would otherwise be required to attend. It also requires the parent or guardian of each enrolled student be provided informational materials on access to extracurricular activities including participation in athletics at the public school the student would otherwise be attending.

You can track and view this year’s legislation on the 2023 Maryland General Assembly Website here. You can also view bill hearings or voting sessions on the website. I recommend all constituents submit testimony for any bills they have thoughts on. Please continue to call and voice your opinion!
On the Move!
Another one of my bills, SB0232 passed the Senate this week and moves to the House for consideration.

SB0232 Health Occupations - Licensed Athletic Trainers - Dry Needling Approval authorizes a licensed athletic trainer to perform dry needling as a specialized task if the athletic trainer is approved by the Maryland Board of Physicians (MBP). Qualified athletic trainers in 28 states and the District of Columbia are currently allowed to use this skill on their patients. As this skill is not currently included in the MD Practice Act, MD athletic trainers are limited in their ability to utilize this modality to care for their patients. 
This Week's Highlights
St. Philip Neri School
I was delighted to have students from St. Philip Neri School visit. Thank you all for your dedication and passion. It was a pleasure to meet you!
Tiger Pride Day
More than 100 students represented Towson University in Annapolis for their 24th annual Tiger Pride Day! I am so proud to be an alum!
Bid for Hope
Delegate Mark Chang and I were delighted to attend the “Bid for Hope” Sunday afternoon. Proceeds will go to the House of Hope.

The Arundel House of Hope is a non-profit organization that provides emergency, transitional, and permanent affordable housing for the poor and those experiencing homelessness in Anne Arundel County. They are committed to provide all other support services in a professional, dignified, supportive, and respectful manner.
Read Across America Day
Happy Read Across America Day! Today is the 25th anniversary of the annual book collection and the Maryland State Education Association visited the State House to collect contributions in promoting reading and adult involvement in the education of our youth.

I was happy to make a donation and meet Elmo!
DISTRICT 32 SENATORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Applications Available Online Now!
Mail all applications to:
Senator Pamela Beidle Scholarship Committee
11 Bladen Street Suite 202, James Senate Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401
by the April 7th, 2023 deadline.
You must attend a Maryland School.
Click here for the application.

Upcoming Job Fairs
Grant Opportunities
Grant Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2024
 
Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration is a partnership between the Trust, the Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration, and the City of Annapolis. This award program aims to improve water quality in the County’s local streams and waterways, as called for in the County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit and County and City of Annapolis’ Stormwater Management Inventory and Watershed Improvement Plan, which require reductions in storm flow volume and pollutants entering the County’s waterways.
Application Deadline - March 16th
 
USDA Urban Agriculture & Innovative Production Grant The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects.
Application Deadline - March 27th
 
Tandem Grant Initiative - Arundel Community Reinvestment (ACR) Fund. County Executive and Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) announced a new initiative to complement the Arundel Community Reinvestment (ACR) loan program where who apply and are approved for an ACR loan for up to $100,000 can receive a grant equal to 25 percent of the loan amount for façade improvements. The grant will be available to small businesses and commercial property owners in our 11 revitalization areas.
The full press release can be found HERE.
 
USDA Urban Agriculture & Innovative Production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects.
Application Deadline - March 27th
 
Help our Neighbors. Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) provides grants to local nonprofits that assist individuals and families in need by providing emergency assistance, such as covering immediate living expenses like paying rent to prevent eviction, utilities to prevent shut-off, fees for transportation to work or car repair, or for essential medication and medical care to return to or maintain their health. 
Application Deadline - March 31st
 
Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services. This office recently released Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for several grant programs for Fiscal Year 2024.
Next Phase of Bay Bridge Automated Lane Closure System
New system includes full-color dynamic message signs, larger overhead lane-use
control signals, horizontal swing gates and illuminated pavement markers

Starting the week of March 6, motorists traveling eastbound during two-way traffic on the westbound span will experience the Bay Bridge’s new Automated Lane Closure System on the Western Shore along US 50/301. The new system is designed to enhance safety for motorists and workers by replacing the use of barrels to close off lanes with overhead signals and other features.

In November, the Maryland Transportation Authority began phased implementation of the new lane closure system on the Eastern Shore of the bridge. Since then, motorists traveling westbound during two-way traffic on the westbound span have been guided by overhead lane-use control signals and accompanying system features including full-color dynamic message signs, horizontal swing gates and illuminated pavement markers to alert and guide motorists when lanes are opening and closing to accommodate traffic operations.

On the Western Shore, the lane-use control signals and full-color message signs – a first in Maryland – start 2.5 miles before the Bay Bridge on eastbound US 50/301, giving drivers more notice than ever of bridge lane closures ahead.
Eastbound view from the Western Shore of overhead lane-use control signals.

The new gates and other features of the Automated Lane Closure System help protect Maryland Transportation Authority employees by replacing a manual process with automation, and improve safety for drivers by giving them more time to move into the correct lanes, allowing for safer lane changes and helping prevent secondary crashes during incidents.

The new lane closure system also enhances incident response, enabling crews to switch between lane closure scenarios more rapidly during incidents.
“While we know we will continue to have recurring congestion from traffic volumes exceeding the capacity of the bridge, we’re excited to see the safety benefits from the new closure system,” said Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director William Pines. “We expect the additional information provided as part of the new system will help motorists avoid getting into incidents that further exacerbate the Bay Bridge traffic challenge.”

Motorists are reminded that police enforcement activities are continuing for motorists failing to obey the lane-use control signals. Please stay alert help keep yourself, your fellow travelers and Maryland Transportation Authority workers safe.
It is important to note that barrels will still be used along with the new gates as motorists become acclimated to this innovative new Automated Lane Closure System. For more information, including a video simulation of the system, visit mdta.maryland.gov/Capital Projects/BayBridgeALCS.

The Maryland Transportation Authority reminds motorists that all-electronic tolling is statewide with E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate or Video Tolling as payment methods. At the Bay Bridge, tolls are collected via overhead electronic toll gantry located on the Eastern Shore. Always properly mount your E-ZPass transponder and keep your account up to date to receive the lowest toll rate. Learn more, enroll in E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate, and pay Video Tolls at DriveEzMD.com.

For 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic information, call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or visit baybridge.com.

For real-time updates on major incidents follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA.

Sign up for email/text alerts at https://bit.ly/2Dh9EZn. Find us at facebook.com/TheMDTA. Call 511 or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information
The Governor's Office
of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs
invites you to attend our procurement connections webinar
Maryland is a great place
to do business!
If you are interested in doing business with the State of Maryland,
you'll want to join us for this informational webinar. 

The Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Webinar connects vendors with buyers from several state agencies. Each will share what they are looking to buy right now, what is in the pipeline, and how to connect with them directly.
Participants will gain insights on how our small, minority, women, and veteran procurement programs work and learn strategies for mining public data to help with their business development efforts.

Our guests for this procurement connections webinar are: 

Who should attend?
 Small business owners, including firms owned and
operated by minorities, women, and veterans, who are interested
in doing business with the State of Maryland as a
prime contractor or subcontractor.

When:
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund
From the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development:

You may not need assistance to stay in your home, but you may know someone who does. The Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund can provide mortgage relief, weatherization, housing counseling, and legal services.

Visit the website http://homeownerassistance.maryland.gov or call 877-546-5595.
My office is continuing to receive inquiries about Unemployment claims. If you or anyone you know needs assistance with their Unemployment Insurance claim, please click the link and fill out our Unemployment Insurance Assistance Form. We will contact our District Liaison regarding your claim.
Anne Arundel County Public School News
Superintendent Mark Bedell Announces Process for Public to Sign Up for #BePresent Initiative
 
Families, alumni, business and community partners, and members of the public who want to help strengthen bonds with schools across the county as part of the new #BePresent initiative can indicate their interest in taking part by sending an email to bepresent@aacps.org. The email should include the school in which the sender is interested in volunteering as well as available times and pertinent contact information.
 
The full press release can be found HERE.
New Automated Lightning Detection System Enhances Safety
 
When Anne Arundel County Public Schools student-athletes take the field for the first day of spring sports tryouts on March 1, they’ll have additional protection thanks to an automated lightning detection system installed at all 13 comprehensive high schools. The Earth Networks Total Lightning Network will detect in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning within an eight-mile radius of a site.
 
The full press release can be found HERE.
Interactive Redistricting Website
 
An interactive web tool is available online (at this LINK) for members of the public to review and comment on a pair of potential redistricting scenarios. 
Comments on the potential scenarios will be accepted through May 31, 2023. Comments to be considered must be left on the redistricting page, not on other social media pages.
 
Dr. Bedell will deliver his recommendation to the BOE this July. The Board has the authority to develop options other than the scenarios presented by the consultant or any recommendation from Dr. Bedell. The Board will select an option or options to take to public hearing this October before adopting a plan for Phase 1 (northern portion of the county) in November 2023. The plan adopted by the Board will go into effect in August 2024.
 
The full press release can be found HERE.
Redistricting continues to be an ongoing issue in our county. If you have any questions or concerns, listed below is the contact information of your elected Board of Education Representatives.
Board of Education Contact Information
Robert Silkworth:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 2
(443) 534-5766

Gloria Dent:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 1
(410) 991-5133

Melissa Ellis:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 4
(410) 533-7940

Board of Education General Contact Information
BOE Office: (410) 222-5311
March Events Hosted by the Glen Burnie Library
Saturday, March 4 at 11 am
Celebrate the auspicious day of Holi and get a little messy with color powder. Wear white to create a colorful wearable masterpiece!
Wednesday, March 8 at 6:30 pm
Practice mindfulness and movement with yoga songs and games in this family-friendly yoga practice.
Wednesdays, March 1 and 15 at 4:00 pm
Interactive, engaging STEM and arts-based event for elementary-age scientists and artists.
Thursday, March 9 at 5 pm and Thursday, March 30 at 5 pm
Learn about the Early College Access Program (ECAP) enrollment process, tuition reduction and grant opportunities.
 
*This is an online event. Registration is required.
Tuesday, March 7 at 6 pm
Share in the love of Japanese animation and comics - online! Join your fellow Otaku and enjoy discussing your favorite anime and/or manga with others. Artwork sharing and cosplay is always welcome! 
 
*This is an online event. Registration is required.
Tuesday, March 14 at 6 pm
Share your faves, what you are currently watching/reading, artwork, cosplay, etc. You get the idea, all things anime and manga.
Wednesday, March 15 at 4:30 pm
Free 20 minute consultation for civil, non-family legal issues.
 
*To register, call the law library at 410-222-1387. Must have email access
Find a library near you! Check out this website for more more events and information about what's happening near you!
Do you live, work, attend school or own property in Maryland? If so, you are eligible for a free Anne Arundel County Public Library card. Click the link below to sign up!

Click image above for more information! Join us for events to honor the accomplishments of women throughout time. Enjoy films, crafts, presentations and more! 
Tax Assistance Available
Anne Arundel County Veterans Commission
By March, the Veterans Affairs Commission, Anne Arundel County, expects to have the opportunity to fill up to five Commission vacancies.

If you have served in the US Armed Forces (including the Coast Guard) on active duty, the Reserves, or in the National Guard, received an honorable discharge, and live in Anne Arundel County, this is your opportunity to serve Anne Arundel County and your fellow county veterans. 
If you are interested in joining this commission, please click this link to be directed to the website and attend one of the monthly meetings (second Wednesday each month, 6pm; March 8th), then share your resume with Mr. Pete Hill  for his review.  

Mr. Hill is the Liaison between this Commission and the County  Executive. Subsequently, the Commission will review your DD-214 and resume, and make a recommendation to the County Executive.  

Contact Mr. Pete Hill (exhill21@aacounty.org). Office phone number (410) 222-1550. Cell phone number (410) 271-5576.
General Assembly Office Schedule
My Chief of Staff, Nancy Lipin Crawford, Legislative Aide, Ash-Lynn Randolph, and Interns, Zoey Nichols and Ama Addo will be working Monday through Friday to respond to any Constituent concerns.

I have enjoyed hearing all of my constituent's thoughts and ideas on legislation. Please continue to stay in touch with me. I encourage everyone to be involved in government and have their voice heard.

I will be taking virtual and in-person appointments this session. You can schedule by calling or emailing the office at pamela.beidle@senate.state.md.us or 410-841-3593. We are always happy to assist you.
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Thank you for allowing me to serve as your District 32 State Senator!

Pamela Beidle
Senator, District 32
Finance Committee
Chair Executive Nominations