February 13, 2022
Dear Friends -
It was another productive and packed week representing you in Annapolis. I enjoyed meeting with members of the Sierra Club and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, and hearing about each group's priorities. I participated in a full week of interesting hearings, and, as you'll see below, my PFAS and Biometrics bills got a lot of press!
My office is always here to help you. If we can ever be of any assistance, do not hesitate to reach out: (410) 841-3453 or Sara.Love@house.state.md.us.
Take care,
Sara
|
|
My Bills
Push for PFAS Protections. Last Wednesday, the Health and Government Relations Committee heard my Bill HB 275 to regulate the use of PFAS (toxic, "forever" chemicals) in firefighting foam, food packaging, and rugs & carpets. This bill is named after veteran firefighter George "Walter" Taylor, who died from PFAS-related cancer, after 31 years of exposure to fire fighting foam with PFAS. I had the honor of testifying alongside Ms. Christine Taylor, Walter Taylor's widow; Jeffrey Buddle, President of the Professional Firefighters of Maryland; Dr. Linda Birnbaum, a toxicologist expert in this area; Emily Scarr from Maryland PIRG; and Brent Walls, Upper Potomac Waterkeeper.
You can see our press conference here, an article about the bill that appeared in Maryland Matters here, and the bill hearing here.
I am working hard to protect all Marylanders from PFAS.
Setting Guardrails for Biometric Identifiers. Along with Senator Brian Feldman, I continue the fight to set up guardrails around companies' collection of our biometric identifiers - unique biological data including fingerprints, face prints, and voiceprints. Not only is this a privacy issue, but also one of equity, since facial recognition misidentifies people of color more frequently than those who are white. The Baltimore Sun ran an OpEd by Senator Feldman and me on our bill, which was heard in the House on Feb. 2 and the Senate last week. You can read more about these bills here: HB 259/SB 335.
My Bills Being Heard Next Week:
-
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1:00pm - Hearing on HB 653, the Comprehensive Conservation Financing Act.
-
Friday, Feb. 18, 11:00am - Hearing on HB 700, Truth-in-Labeling.
Committee Hearings
Hearings in the Environment & Transportation Committee generally follow a pattern: Tuesdays we hear bills on housing and real property; Wednesdays we hear bills on the environment, natural resources, agriculture and land use; and Thursdays we hear bills on transportation and motor vehicles. You can see all the hearings (both live-streamed and on YouTube) here.
While we heard many interesting bills this week, I highlight only a few here:
HB 361 - Requiring the Department of the Environment, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Health, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Department of General Services, to adopt certain regulations establishing uniform standards for mold assessment and remediation and giving tenants certain ways to help ensure landlords remediate mold problems.
HB 367 - recognizing the continued hardship on many tenants, this bill would landlords to follow certain procedures regarding rent relief assistance prior to filing for eviction.
HB 231 - enabling Montgomery County to move its automated traffic enforcement from a local law enforcement agency to the Department of Transportation. Since MCDOT is responsible for implementing Vision Zero, it makes sense for it to also oversee the camera program as part of their wholistic plan to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities.
|
|
Montgomery County Information
Celebrate Black History Month with Black-owned MoCo Food Businesses
In celebration of Black History Month, the Montgomery County Food Council highlighted Black-owned MoCo Made food businesses. They spoke with three businesses, Dodo Farms, AMAC Foods, and Passion to Seed Gardening, and shared the conversation they had with the owners on the origins of their business, their advice to Black entrepreneurs, and their inspiration as they navigate the food industry. You can read their stories here, and head to the brand websites to learn more about how you can support them by eating, drinking, and buying local! (For information about 70+ more MoCo Made Food & Beverage products and producers, check out this Guide.)
What are the ‘Top Things Montgomery County Residents Should Know About Voting’?
‘Top Things Montgomery County Residents Should Know About Voting’ is the featured topic on the February 10 edition of the ‘What’s Happening MoCo’ Podcast. Gilberto Zelaya (Dr. Z), the public information officer for the County’s Board of Elections, shares the top five things that Montgomery County residents need to know when considering their voting experience this year. He highlights important information for voters and potential new voters as they begin preparing to participate in this year’s gubernatorial primary and general elections. Great information to know and pass along as you encourage others to vote. You can access this brief podcast (as well as the entire archive) by going here and clicking on the title.
|
|
COVID-19 Information & Resources |
|
Montgomery County health officials report that most COVID-19 health metrics are continuing to improve. Our community's high vaccination rate is critical to ensuring our continued safety. If you haven’t yet been boosted, I encourage you to do so. Given the current downward case count trajectory, the county health order requiring masks for public indoor spaces is still scheduled to be lifted on February 21. You can learn more about our County's COVID case statistics and vaccination rates on the Montgomery County Data Dashboard.
|
|
Calendar
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1:00pm - Hearing on HB 653, the Conservation Finance Act.
Friday, Feb. 18, 11:00am - Hearing on HB 700, Truth-in-Labeling.
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7:30am - Bethesda Chevy-Chase breakfast club will host State's Attorney John McCarthy and candidate for State's Attorney Bernice Mireku-North. Email here for the zoom link.
Friday, Feb. 25, 11:00am - Hearing on HB 829, the Zero-Emission Truck Act of 2022; and hearing on HB 834, the Septic Awareness Act of 2022.
Monday, Mar. 7, 7:30am - Bethesda Chevy-Chase breakfast club will host Tom Degonia and Perry Paylor, candidates for State's Attorney. Email here for the zoom link.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
