Voters Could Have Two Consequential Referendums on the Ballot This November 
This fall voters may see on their ballots questions related to legalization of adult recreational use of cannabis and adding the right to abortion care access in the state constitution.

The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1 Constitutional Amendment - Cannabis - Adult Use and Possession, establishing a ballot referendum, as well as HB 837 Cannabis Reform, creating industry regulations and requiring impact studies. You can listen to both of these bill hearings here. The Committee passed both bills (voting sessions here and here), and they will be discussed on the House floor Tuesday morning. You can listen to the debate here.

House Speaker Adrienne Jones announced that she is sponsoring legislation aimed at protecting abortion rights in the Maryland Constitution. HB 1171 would create a ballot referendum allowing Marylanders to vote on whether abortion access should be protected in the state constitution. You can listen to this bill hearing on February 22 at 1pm in the House Health and Government Operations Committee here. Our own D-16 Delegate Ariana Kelly is also sponsoring two pieces of legislation to expand access to abortion care services in the state: HB 952 and HB 937

Climate Change Rally in Annapolis
On Tuesday, I joined fellow legislators and other supporters of legislation to address climate change at a rally and press conference in Annapolis. These events occurred before a bill hearing for SB 528 Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 that includes provisions to expand the state’s electric vehicle fleet, require large buildings to reduce emissions, and help communities disproportionately affected by climate change (there are parallel bills in the House). You can listen to the Senate bill hearing here.



My Bills

Conservation Finance Act. On Wednesday, the House Environment & Transportation Committee heard my bill (sponsored along with Delegate Regina Boyce) HB 653. This bill incentivizes private investment in public environmental projects, enabling us to better reach our climate goals. You can watch the hearing and learn more here.  

Truth in Labeling. On Friday, the House Environment & Transportation Committee heard my bill HB 700, Truth in Labeling. Currently, the law requires that plastic bottles and containers have a number - the resin identification code - placed within the chasing arrows triangle. Unfortunately, most consumers, when they see the chasing arrows triangle, believe that means the container is recyclable. Not so. My bill would fix labeling requirements and ensure that the chasing arrows triangle is used only if a plastic container is, in fact, recyclable. Consumers deserve to be given accurate information on whether items are recyclable, and it's time that the manufacturers are held responsible to make sure of it.  You can watch the hearing and learn more here

More Press for PFAS! On Tuesday, February 15, the Baltimore Sun Editorial Board published its commentary "Maryland must move swiftly to regulate harmful 'forever chemicals'. This editorial supports the passage of my bill HB 275 to regulate the use of PFAS (toxic, "forever" chemicals) in firefighting foam, food packaging, and rugs & carpets. You can read the editorial here and listen to the bill hearing here

Wildlife Trafficking. My bill, HB 52, to prevent the trafficking in Maryland of wildlife body parts or trinkets made from them, is crossfiled in the Senate by Senator Will Smith, Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. SB 381was voted out of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee (voting session here) and will now head to the Senate floor for debate.

My Bills Being Heard Next Week:

  • Wednesday, February 23, 1:00 PM, HB 649 Environment - Discharge Permits - Inspections and Administrative Continuations. Watch here.
  • Friday, February 25, 1:00 PM, HB 829 Zero–Emission Truck Act of 2022.  Watch here.  
  • Friday, February 25, 1:00 PM, HB 834 Septic Awareness Act of 2022. Watch here

How To Track Bills
If you are interested in tracking specific bills as they move through the Maryland General Assembly, you can do so automatically on the Maryland General Assembly website. If you haven't already, first set up a "MyMGA" Account and then "Bill Tracking Lists". It's fairly easy to do by watching the brief videos found here. You'll also find other useful, short "how to" videos to help you navigate the very informative MGA website.