2023 Maryland General Assembly Update
Week Seven: Testimony from the Governor, Committee Updates, Carozza Bills Moving Through the Senate to the House
PRESIDENT'S DAY IN THE OLD SENATE CHAMBER

The Maryland Senate celebrated Presidents’ Day on Monday by convening in the Old Senate Chamber at the Annapolis State House where on December 23, 1783 George Washington resigned from his position as the Continental Army’s Commander-in-Chief. This peaceful transition of power enabled the United States to become the Constitutional Republic it is today.
 
Every year we as Maryland Senators gather in the old Senate chamber to celebrate all those who served as presidents of the United States. It is very humbling to be in this historic room where General George Washington turned over his military power leading to the establishment of a country for and by the people. I encourage my constituents to visit Annapolis and our historic State House.
THREE CAROZZA BILLS PASS THE SENATE
The full Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 68, Senate Bill 246, and Senate Bill 244 this week. All three bills now are moving to the House of Delegates for consideration.
 
Senate Bill 68 would allow members of the Crisfield Police Department to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.
 
This local priority bill is absolutely essential to the recruitment and retention of the Crisfield Police Department. This would allow the Crisfield Police to remain competitive during a rampant law enforcement shortage across the Shore and the State of Maryland.
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Senate Bill 246 would enable Wicomico County to create a Sanitary District Commission. This is the first step for Wicomico County to implement its Water and Sewer Master Plan which was finalized in 2021.
 
Wicomico County is among the only counties in Maryland that does not have a county-wide department dedicated to managing wastewater. I personally have participated in several Wicomico County meetings with the Maryland Department of Environment and other state officials, local elected officials, engineers, developers, realtors and homeowners to work together to address failing septic systems and outdated, at-capacity municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Senate Bill 244 would ensure that Lena Williams, the widow of Correctional Officer Gregory Collins, is allowed to apply for the special death benefits established in Senate Bill 198. Due to a time restriction, Ms. Williams was left unable to apply.
 
Lena Williams and her family have suffered for years after the brutal murder of her husband, Correctional Officer Greg Collins who served our state with honor in a dangerous job and ended up making the ultimate sacrifice. I really appreciate all the members of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee who heard Lena Williams’ story deciding to show their support by cosponsoring this bill.
EDUCATION, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WORK ON SENATE BILL 551

Governor Wes Moore testified in support of Senate Bill 551 before the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee on Wednesday. The purpose of the bill is to establish a program where high school graduates would be paid for one year of service to their community before starting college.
 
Serving on the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee, I asked the Governor, "You mention a broad cross-section of placements: government, public safety, and non-profits. I just wanted to know if those partnerships would also include faith-based organizations?”

 Governor Moore replied," We plan on working with non-profit organizations and 501-C3s that are actively involved in community work, and as you know, that includes our faith-based organizations. Some of the most active 501-C3’s… we have in our society who are on the ground doing the work are our churches, mosques, synagogues. We are seeing how our faith-based, our homes of worship, are playing active roles in that and so we want to offer them as platforms.”
GOVERNMENT * PUBLIC SAFETY * NON-PROFIT * FAITH-BASED
 The SERVE Act, as Senate Bill 551 is called, would establish the Service Year Option Program within the Department of Service and Civic Innovation which is an Executive Department recently created by Moore in his first Executive Order upon taking office.
 
Executive Orders always create a natural tension between the executive and legislative branches of government at the state and federal level. I’ve seen it both as a member of the Executive and as a Legislator.

Both Senator Gallion as a Republican and Senator Augustine as a Democrat stood up to request that the legislative branch remain involved in the setup of a new department.
Maryland 529 Prepaid College Trust Plan.
At the end of a marathon hearing in the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee on Wednesday, parents voiced their continued concerns with the Maryland 529 Prepaid College Trust Plan. The problem came to light when Prepaid College Trust Plan account holders who tried to withdraw their accrued interest that they were promised to pay for college expenses were unable to do so due to an interest calculation problem.
 
When parents tried to tap those promised funds, they were given amounts that were far below what they have invested over the years. I’ve been attending hearings for many years and this hearing with all of these parents that waited all day to testify highlighted that the program is a complete debacle and we are committed to fixing this as soon as possible.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES DAY
 
Annapolis hosted the annual Developmental Disabilities Day on Wednesday as hundreds of advocates, including individuals with developmental disabilities, family members, direct support professional staff, service providers, and many others gathered to discuss issues of critical importance the intellectual and developmental disability community.
Senator Carozza (R-District 38) with Special Olympics Maryland at the Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Sandy Point State Park. (above)
As a new board member of the Maryland Special Olympics, I am in a strong position to continue supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live more independent lives,” said Carozza. “We need to keep improving opportunities and access so they can lead fulfilling lives, especially on the Eastern Shore.
LOCALS IN ANNAPOLIS
Brandon Austin, the Social Studies Facilitator and Malika James, the Student Government Advisor and Learning Support Specialist at Washington High School in Princess Anne, organized a trip to bring 25 U.S. history students to Annapolis to see the Maryland General Assembly in action. Senator Carozza introduced them on the Senate floor and later gave them an update in the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee hearing room.
Mayor Richard Meehan of Ocean City came to Annapolis to testify in strong support of Senate Bill 135 which establishes an Ocean City promoter’s license in Worcester County.
Max Sweeney of Delmar and current student at McDaniel College;
Several local officials in Annapolis this week included Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano and Wicomico County Administrator Bunky Luffman; Ocean City Town Manager Terry McGean, and Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic; Kelly Kennett and Charlotte and Gillian Houlihan of Salisbury; Lori Adkins of Mardela; Larry Walton, of AARP and of Worcester County; and Nicole Acle of Wicomico County.
Additional Resources
Following Legislation and Testifying
Not only does the General Assembly provide multiple ways to participate in your state government proceedings, but a full set of videos is also available online:
  • Understanding the MD General Assembly
  • Finding your legislator
  • Searching for bills by number, sponsor, subject matter
  • Understanding a bill
  • Tracking a bill
  • Searching media
  • Creating a personal MyMGA Account
  • Witness Sign Up-to testify on Bills
I look forward to hearing from you soon! Please contact me on issues important to you.

410-841-3645
marybeth.carozza@senate.state.md.us
Don't forget to visit me on the web at: marybethcarozza.com
In Service,





Mary Beth Carozza
State Senator-District 38
Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset
410-841-3645