What is Crossover?
Crossover is our final day to send all the House bills over to the Senate (and vice versa), and serves as a critical deadline that determines which bills are likely to pass before the 90-day session ends (this year crossover day fell on Monday, March 20). The week leading up to crossover day is filled with extra floor sessions and extra committee voting sessions. We were even voting in Annapolis on Saturday. Legislation has to go through three readings on the House floor before it is voted on for final passage.
The first reading is when the committee hears the bill. The second reading is an opportunity for all Delegates to read over the bill and suggest amendments. By the third reading, we are voting on the final product. If it passes, that means the majority of us believe the bill meets the standards to become law.
Once the bill passes third reader, it is sent to the Senate before the crossover deadline of the end of the day.
I hope this provides a little bit of insight to the complex legislative process which is designed to thoroughly vet each bill.
If you have any questions or would like to share your opinion, please feel free to contract my office. We love hearing from our constituents!
Selected Bills that Passed the House by Crossover Deadline:
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Recreational Cannabis Bill (HB 556) - creates a regulation framework for the new cannabis industry. The system adopted is a combination of the best recreational cannabis practices from other states and learned lessons from the Maryland medical cannabis implementation.
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Right to Reproductive Freedom (HB 705) - establishes a constitutional right to abortion and other reproductive healthcare as a question on the ballot. This bill allows Maryland voters to decide whether the fundamental right to reproductive freedom should be enshrined in our state constitution.
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Family Prosperity Act (HB 547) - expands the Maryland's Earned Income Tax Credit and the state's Child Tax Credit for families that have children under the age of 5 and meet the adjusted gross income requirements. This bill will serve as an effective tool for reducing childhood poverty and help Maryland families.
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Fiscal Year 2024 Budget (HB 200) - secures the state's financial future while continuing to make critical investments in Maryland's economy as well as our transportation, education, technological, infrastructure, and physical and behavioral health sectors.
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Trans Health Equity Act (HB 283) - ensures that Maryland Medicaid covers gender-affirming care when that care is deemed medically necessary by a licensed healthcare provider. This bill prioritizes patient-provider relationship and follows medical science.
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Maryland Educator Shortage Act (HB 1219) - addresses the record vacancies in Maryland's schools by requiring the State Department of Education to create new and permanent pathways into the education profession.
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Due Process Proceedings for Children with Disabilities (HB 294) - requires a county board of education to bear the burden of proof in due process proceedings that initiate from a due process complaint regarding the provision of special education services or a program for a child with disabilities in the county in which the county board is located.
My Bills that Passed the House by Crossover Deadline:
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Charitable Contributions (HB 72) - reduces burdensome regulations on smaller nonprofits. The bill passed the house unanimously two weeks ago and just recently passed the Senate committee with a favorable vote.
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Elevator Service (HB 907) - allows residential buildings with tenants over the age of 60, or for those living with disabilities, to use a different repair service without penalty if their own is unable to repair a broken elevator in a timely manner. The bill passed the House Thursday morning.
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Auto Glass Recalibration (HB 920) - requires providers of windshield repairs to notify consumers that they require a recalibration of technical sensors imbedded in the windshield, and that the provider is to perform the recalibration to manufacturer standards. The bill passed the House Thursday morning.
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Licensed Tree Trimmers (HB 612) - prevents Licensed Tree Experts from renting their license to unlicensed tree care providers. The bill passed the House Monday morning.
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Maryland Historic Trust (HB 674) - establishes a partnership program to encourage the preservation of historic properties and to efficiently turn over grant funding to qualifying organizations. This bill passed the House Monday afternoon.
