Dear Friends,
It has been a very busy 90-day legislative session and I’m very proud of our achievements in this first year of our four-year cycle. We welcomed a brand-new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller, and I was sworn into my first 4-year term in the State Senate. We faced issues with a new sense of urgency in response to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade and the need to protect reproductive healthcare. Similarly, last year’s Bruen decision upending Maryland’s concealed carry law and continued gun violence have spurred us to examine more closely our state's firearm safety laws.
As federal resources directed to the state during the pandemic dry up, we are sensitive to the lingering effects of these difficult years and have targeted resources to some of our most vulnerable residents, including seniors and children living in poverty. We continue to respond to concerns about public safety, knowing that we must take multi-faceted approaches to this complex, serious issue. We passed a budget that will continue transforming public education into a world-class system and spur local economies and job opportunities for the people of Maryland.
Thousands of bills are considered over the course of 90 days. While I have my own distinct legislative agenda, we each have the opportunity to play a role in the success (and demise) of other legislative initiatives and in the budget. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the constituents of District 11 and to be able to work with my colleagues on many important issues before the General Assembly.
I appreciate that so many of you shared your thoughts and concerns with me through emails, phone calls, meetings and Shelly@thedeli gatherings. My staff and I have responded to more than 900 constituent inquiries this session. When constituents had problems with state agencies, questions or concerns about legislation, we worked tirelessly to resolve and support them. Every day, I feel privileged to be a strong voice for the 11th District, and of course, our work will continue through the interim.
We hope you can join me and the entire District 11 team for a post-session, Town Hall Meeting on Monday, April 17th at 7pm at the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Department. Register and submit questions here: https://forms.gle/qMLX6DdQfseutxYq5
Sincerely,
|
|
SB516/HB556 - Cannabis Reform: We approved cannabis for medical use in 2013 and a year later, small amounts were decriminalized. Last year, voters passed a referendum to legalize cannabis for adults age 21 or older beginning July 1. These bills create a framework for legalization implementation, including licensing, regulations, and taxation, attempting to balance health and public safety concerns.
SB555/HB549 - The Fair Wage Act of 2023: This bill accelerates the increase in the minimum wage rate for all employers to $15.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2024. Gov. Moore signed this bill into law on April 11th.
SB959/HB1290 - 529 College Prepaid Trust: This plan - which is different from the savings account plan (known as Maryland College Investment Plans) has been faced with significant problems. The Board of this plan will be dissolved and the Treasurer’s office will be responsible for creating a tiered claims settlement process, with priority being given to account holders who sought reimbursements since the accounts were frozen last summer or who will need a disbursement for the fall semester.
SB686/HB1- The Child Victims Act of 2023: The Maryland Attorney General’s Office recently released a report on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s handling of child sexual abuse within the church. This bill eliminates the statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims to bring civil actions, allowing them to seek justice and accountability. As the sponsor of this bill in 2021, I was pleased to support this important bill and see its passage this year. Gov. Moore signed the bill into law on April 11th.
SB551/HB546 - Serving Every Region Through Vocational Exploration Act of 2023 (SERVE Act): Establishes the Department of Service and Civic Innovation creating two paths for a year of service: the Young Adult Pathway and Maryland Corps, a program I helped to create a few years ago to provide a service-year option for young adults and recent high school graduates. This bill is a priority for Governor Moore.
|
|
Balanced Budget for FY 2024 that Invests in Maryland Values
As a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee, I worked throughout the session on the bipartisan budget bill that is balanced and fiscally sound. The final $63 billion budget includes $200 million in tax relief, which we passed separately to expand the state’s earned income tax credit and child tax credit programs through the Family Prosperity Act. It also includes about $1.45 billion in budget reductions, balanced with $1.13 billion in additions that, among many other things, does the following:
- prioritizes funding for our public schools by adding $900 million to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, our major educational reform program
- includes $8.7 billion for public schools
- increases spending on mental health services for children and adults
- supports our emergency medical systems
- provides $100 million funding for transportation funding over and above the Transportation Trust Fund
- funds vital health care services
- supports our public colleges and universities and holds tuition increases to 2%
- assists vulnerable populations by protecting SNAP (food assistance) beneficiaries who have been victims of theft & increases certain other benefits
- provides additional resources to address climate change and incentivizes renewable energy use
- provides $9 million for the BOOST program and an additional $2.5 million for health and security services in non-public schools
- provides $2 million of emergency rental assistance
- supports continued expansion of our cybersecurity system
One of the most important aspects of this budget is that it achieves structural balance (we take in more than we spend) and we are saving for a potential downturn in the economy by responsibly putting additional cash reserves ($2.85 billion) in the Rainy Day Fund.
|
|
The $1.2 billion capital budget is an excellent job-creation tool, creating and maintaining thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and leveraging millions of local and private funds. Capital funding is used for the construction, planning, renovation and building of state facilities, such as hospitals, schools, higher education institutions, parks and numerous local bond initiatives throughout the state.
Our capital budget is funding Baltimore County Public School projects, such as the new Milbrook and Summit Park Elementary Schools and renovations at Owings Mills Elementary School. It also supports the renovation and expansion of the campus at Towson University and UMBC and the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery.
District 11 Capital Projects
Armory Park (Pikesville Armory) - $3 million for the redevelopment of this central historical site
Iglesia de Dios Hispana - $85,000 to build a community playground and fence for this important gathering place for the Latino community, and others, in Owings Mills
Owings Mills High School - $25,000 to replace the current irreparable scoreboard
MD Troopers Association Headquarters Renovation - $100,000 to renovate the Reisterstown Road building, across from the Maryland State Police campus
Irvine Nature Center - $250,000 to create a new educational programming and event space
Woodholme Elementary School - $200,000 for renovation and construction of a playground
Bais Yaakov School for Girls - Park Heights Campus - $200,000 for renovation/expansion of communal gathering space
|
|
SB786/HB812 - Health - Reproductive Health Services - Protected Information and Insurance Requirements: Protects sensitive reproductive health information from being shared.
SB328/HB498- Board of Public Works Public Comment Act: Requires the Board of Public Works set up a system to virtually accept written public comment on agenda items.
SB100/HB36 - Real Property – Actions to Repossess – Proof of Rental Licensure: Closes a loophole to protect renters from unlicensed landlords.
SB620/HB802- Institutions of Higher Education - Sports Wagering Contracts - Prohibition: Prevents institutions of higher education from profiting from student online gambling.
SB615/HB759 - Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services - Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Reporting Program: Preserves and protects medical slides that hold critical DNA from sexual assaults prior to the establishment of rape kits.
SB789/HB758- Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits - Preservation and Storage: Ensures we have an effective rape kit tracking system and requires kits to be saved for 75 years.
SB617/HB673- Maryland Transit Administration – Fare Price Requirements – Alterations: Decouples Maryland Transit Administration fares from the Consumer Price Index.
SB797/HB1191- Task Force on Preventing and Countering Elder Abuse: Establishes a task force to ensure we are protecting Maryland seniors from abuse and exploitation.
Requires the study of the use of PFAS in pesticides in the state and requires the Department of Agriculture to report findings and make recommendations by November.
|
|
SB798/HB705 – Declaration of Rights - Right to Reproductive Freedom: Creates a voter referendum in the November 2024 election that enshrines in the Maryland Constitution an individual’s right to reproductive freedom including ability to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy.
SB859/HB808 - Reproductive Health Protection Act: Prohibits a judge from requiring a person to give testimony in another state regarding a person who sought ‘legally protected health care’ in Maryland including reproductive health care. Prohibits regulators or insurers from taking adverse disciplinary actions against a provider for providing reproductive health care in Maryland.
SB341/HB477 - Public Senior Higher Education Institutions – Reproductive Health Services Plans – Requirements: Requires institutions of higher education to develop a reproductive health services plan in consultation with students by August 1st.
|
|
SB185/HB3 - Maryland State Police Gun Center - Firearms Surrendered Under Final Protective Orders: Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center to track all firearms surrendered through final protective orders.
HB824 - Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Possession and Permits to Carry, Wear, and Transport a Handgun: Raises the age for legal gun possession to 21 and expands prohibitions on who cannot possess certain firearms.
SB1 - Gun Safety Act of 2023: Responds to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Bruen case regarding who can obtain a concealed carry permit; sets limits on where permit holders can take their firearms excluding schools, hospitals, places that serve alcohol or cannabis, casinos, stadiums, museums, government buildings and more.
SB5/HB13 - Hate Crimes – Civil Remedy: Allows victims of hate crimes to bring civil lawsuits against those who committed the act.
SB129/HB4 - Criminal Law - Sexual Crimes - Repeal of Spousal Defense: Repeals spousal defense for rape and sexual offense crimes.
SB290/HB857 – Office of the Attorney General – Independent Investigation Division – Authority to Prosecute: Gives power to the Maryland Attorney General’s office to prosecute law enforcement officer-involved incidents that resulted in death.
SB858/HB307- Jaelynn’s Law: Defines requirements around storage of guns and ammunition in the home, to ensure safe storage of firearms from children, and increases penalties for violators.
|
|
SB781/HB793 – Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources Act: Requires the Maryland Public Service Commission to increase offshore wind energy and sets up subsidies to increase this clean energy sector.
SB613/HB908 - Electricity - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems Program and Property Taxes: Makes the Community Solar Energy Generating Systems Pilot Program permanent.
SB880/HB843 – Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force: Creates the Baltimore Regional Governance Water Task Force, requires recommendations from the task force to be sent to the Mayor of Baltimore, Baltimore County Executive, Governor, and Maryland General Assembly by 1/30/24.
SB222/HB284 - Environment - Reducing Packaging Materials - Producer Responsibility: Creates an Advisory Council to evaluate and make recommendations on how to establish and implement a producer responsibility program for packaging materials.
SB224/HB230 - Clean Trucks Act: Requires the Maryland Department of the Environment, by December 1, 2023, to establish regulations for the sale of new, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty trucks in the state.
SB262/HB253 - Environment - On-Farm Composting Facilities - Permit Exemption: Allows farmers to use food scraps from off-site locations as part of their composting.
SB611/HB874 - Office of the Attorney General - Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit – Establishment: Creates an Environment and Natural Resources Monitoring Unit within Maryland Attorney General’s Office to investigate and prosecute crimes against environment and natural resources.
|
|
SB828/HB988 - Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Modifications Modifying the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program: Modifies the implementation schedule for the Family and Medical Leave program and creates a 50-50 contribution system between employers and employees.
SB515/HB785 - Health Insurance – Step Therapy or Fail–First Protocol – Revisions: Requires that health insurance companies establish a process for requesting exemptions for prior authorization to prescribe certain medications to ensure patients receive effective treatment quickly.
SB460/HB283 – The Trans Health Equity Act: Requires Medicaid to provide coverage for gender-affirming care and treatment.
SB154 - Public Health - Mental Health Advance Directives - Awareness and Statewide Database: Requires the Maryland Department of Health to develop a public awareness campaign encouraging use of mental health directives.
SB362/HB1249 - Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics-Planning Grant Funds and Demonstration Application: Requires the state to apply for federal funding for community clinics to provide coordinated comprehensive behavioral health care for anyone who requests care, regardless of their ability to pay.
SB582/HB1148 - Behavioral Health Care-Treatment and Access (Behavioral Health Model for Maryland): Establishes commissions to make recommendations to provide appropriate, accessible, and comprehensive behavioral health services that are available on demand.
SB534 - Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2023: Extends telehealth access to June 30, 2025 and requires the Medical Health Care Commission to study and make recommendations about continued access.
|
|
SB876/HB794 - Baltimore Regional Transit Commission – Establishment: Creates the Baltimore Regional Transit Commission with one senior planning and two junior planning staff positions.
HB123 - Vehicle Laws – HOV Lanes – Plug–In Electric Drive Vehicles: Allows drivers of plug-in electric vehicles to use HOV lanes regardless of how many passengers are in vehicle.
|
|
SB279/HB102 - Real Property-Actions for Possession-Pet Protections: Creates a process to keep vulnerable families and pets together during the eviction process.
SB560 - Animal Testing and Research - Human-Relevant Research Funding and Animal Testing and Research Contributions: Incentivizes institutions to move away from testing on animals and establishes a special fund to research and develop human-relevant alternatives for scientific research.
|
|
SB379/HB535 - Election Law- Ballot Processing and Reporting Procedures and 2024 Primary Date: Makes changes to State election law relating to the start of absentee ballot processing, refines the definition of “canvass” and a voter’s ability to correct ballot issues, and requires reporting of election results by precinct. The bill also includes an amendment I offered to alter the primary date so as not to conflict with Passover in 2024.
|
|
SB553/HB554 - Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Military Retirement Income (Keep Our Heroes Home Act): Enhances the existing military retirement income tax subtraction modification by increasing the maximum amount of military retirement income that may be exempted from Maryland income tax from $5,000 to $12,500 for individuals younger than age 55 and from $15,000 to $20,000 for individuals age 55 and older.
SB893/HB1219 - Maryland Educator Shortage Act of 2023: Establishes the Teacher Development and Retention Program as a pilot program to encourage college students to pursue teaching careers, with a focus on recruitment in underrepresented communities.
SB440/HB625 - Commission to Study the Health Care Workforce Crisis in Maryland – Establishment: Establishes the Commission to Study the Health Care Workforce Crisis in Maryland. The Secretary of Health must designate the chair and the commission must submit a final report of its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2023.
SB36/HB14 – Family Law – Grounds for Divorce: Repeals the ability of courts to grant limited divorces and alters the grounds for absolute divorce.
SB90/HB37 - Stop the Spam Calls Act: Restricts telephone solicitations for non-charities.
SB842/HB1244 – Maryland Holocaust Remembrance Day: Makes January 27th Maryland Holocaust Remembrance Day.
SB974/HB1301 – State-Owned Nursing Homes - Deficiencies, Citations, and Fines - Contractor Reporting Requirements: Requiring contractors operating state-owned nursing homes to promptly provide notice of deficiencies, enforcement actions, citations, and fines to the Governor, the State agency overseeing the nursing home, and the General Assembly.
|
|
Delegate Jon Cardin - HB427- Maryland Trust Act - Trustee Liability - Release by Interested Parties: This bill clarifies current law and saves lives by granting overdose victims immunity from prosecution when a good Samaritan calls 911 for help.
Delegate Dana Stein - HB503-Natural Resources -Greenspace Equity Program – Establishment: The bill will increase greenspace-including parks, community gardens, urban farms, green networks, and trail connections in Maryland’s underserved communities. It will create a new grant program to help land trusts, local governments and other non-profits acquire and improve greenspaces in communities that lack them.
Delegate Cheryl Pasteur – HB844 - Housing and Community Development - Common Ownership Community Website: This bill requires the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to establish and maintain a website that provides information on the current rights and responsibilities of individuals living in a common ownership community (COC).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
