2023 Maryland General Assembly Update
Week One: 2023 Session Opening Day, Locals in Annapolis, and New Committee Assignments
The 445th Maryland General Assembly convened on January 11, 2023 with the swearing-in of 17 freshmen Senators and Delegates as Governor Larry Hogan wraps up his last days as Governor and Governor-Elect Wes Moore prepares for his Inauguration on January 18, 2023.

With a new Maryland General Assembly, new Governor and Lt. Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller, we are undergoing major transition in Annapolis which calls for our Eastern Shore Delegation to work even harder to protect our Shore way of life.
CAROZZA SWORN IN TO SECOND TERM
 IN SENATE/NEW COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
As I begin my second term as a State Senator, I will serve on the newly-organized Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee chaired by Senator Brian Feldman of Montgomery County.

The Triple E Committee (Education, Energy and Environment) is really important to my district when it comes to advancing the 3 Fs in my district – farming, fishing and forestry; the three institutions of higher education in my district – Salisbury University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Wor-Wic Community College; and local pre-K - grade 12 schools in all three counties. My committee’s jurisdiction now includes energy issues as well as continuing to handle housing, emergency management, elections, and state and local government issues which are all key issues that impact my constituents.
Eastern Shore Senators pictured left to right: Senator Mary Beth Carozza (R-District 38); Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey (R-District 36); and Senator Johnny Mautz (R-District 37)
I also have been appointed to the Senate Executive Nominations Committee and the Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Areas, and reappointed to the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families.

My appointment to Executive Nominations will allow me to highlight our Shore priorities with the new Governor’s cabinet-level nominees and senior appointments requiring Senate confirmation on the very front end of the new Administration, and that is beneficial to my constituents.

 I also am excited about increasing my work to protect our Maryland Coastal Bays with my appointment to the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Joint Committee. So often the focus in Annapolis is only on the Chesapeake Bay, and my appointment will raise the visibility and importance of our local coastal bays.
LOCALS IN ANNAPOLIS
Left to right: Senator Carozza, Melissa Bragg, Delegate Charles Otto (D-38A), Senator Johnny Mautz (D-37), Brandon Records, and Ryan Whittington
Several local elected officials, and business and community leaders participated in the Opening Day of the Maryland General Assembly including Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano; Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and Town Manager Terry McGean; Somerset County Commissioner Darryl Webster; Carey Distributors Dick Carey and Jennifer Darcy; Phoenix Real Estate Holdings owners Nkechi Iwomi and Ted Bibart of Somerset County; Devon Harman of Ocean City and Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC; and local International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Presidents Brandon Records of Salisbury Local 4246; Melissa Bragg of Worcester County and State IAFF Vice President; and Ryan Whittington of Ocean City Local 4269.
Senator Carozza with Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan on Opening Day
I also attended the Rural Maryland Council Welcome Breakfast where I discussed ideas that are important to the lower Eastern Shore with local stakeholders.
Eastern Shore Delegation holds first Friday meeting of Session
The Eastern Shore Delegation held its first zoom meeting of the 2023 Maryland General Assembly with Delegate Chris Adams (District 37B) as the new Delegation chair on January 13th.

Maryland Municipal League representatives briefed the Delegation on their legislative request to create their own Police Accountability Boards and Charging Committees.

Representatives from the Eastern Shore hospices including Coastal Hospice (Salisbury/Ocean Pines) presented updates and shared concerns about the possibility of the Maryland Health Care Commision opening up the Eastern Shore to additional providers at a time when hospices and all health care providers are facing severe workforce shortages. The three, not-for profit Shore hospices (Coastal, Talbot and Compass) have proposed using their combined knowledge
of the area to increase end-of-life service, including home-based palliative care.
SNEAK PREVIEW: Crisfield LEOPS Bill Hearing on JAN 19th
The Senate Budget and Taxation’s Pension Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 68 sponsored by Senator Carozza at the request of the Crisfield Police Department and Mayor of Crisfield. This bill would allow the members of the Crisfield Police Department to become members of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.

This is a priority local law enforcement bill that the Crisfield Police department needs now for retention and recruitment at a time of massive law enforcement retirements and severe police shortages across the board.
Additional Community Resources
SENATE SCHOLARSHIPS IN DISTRICT 38

Students who live in Legislative District 38 may apply by emailing  MaryBeth.Carozza@senate.state.md.us to request a scholarship application. These scholarship funds must be used toward attending a Maryland college or university (or an out-of-state institution if the student demonstrated he or she has a unique major). Please note that the completed application must be returned with the required essay. The student must have also filed their FAFSA online and should include his or her FAFSA summary sheet with the completed application.
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
In Service,





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