Annual Legislative Reports

UULM-MD 2011 Legislative Wrap-up

Thank you to everyone who called, wrote and visited your legislators. Your efforts were recognized by Maryland’s legislators and the advocacy groups with whom we work and all agree that you made a difference.

Bills that UULM-MD supported during the 2011 session of the Maryland General Assembly included the following:

Marriage Equality: The Civil Marriage Protection Act (SB 116/HB 175) would have ended marriage discrimination against same gender couples. For the first time, the bill passed the full Senate and the House Judiciary Committee, but was pulled as it was shy a few votes in the House. This was a heartbreaking disappointment but not a defeat. We believe we have progressed in constituency awareness and support. We will be increasing our grassroots education and advocacy to help gain passage in 2012.

The Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act: HB 235 would have extended to transgender citizens anti-discrimination laws in the areas of employment, housing, and credit. This bill passed the House and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, but was not voted on by the full Senate. Advocates and legislators are preparing to overcome the remaining barriers to this major gap in current laws in the 2012 session.

Climate Change: The Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act(SB 861/HB 1054) would primarily require the Public Service Commission to negotiate long-term contracts between Maryland utilities and offshore wind generating companies. The bill would have insured stable energy prices and a clean, renewable energy source for Maryland. The bill did not pass, but was referred for further study and is expected to be re-introduced next year. The Governor and legislators are optimistic about future passage of similar legislation after the study.

Health Care: Maryland’s tax rates on alcoholic beverages are among the lowest in the nation and The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2011 was introduced to remedy this and to designate funds for critical needs of specific programs. It was replaced by a bill to increase the sales tax on alcoholic beverages by 3%. Maryland made history on 4/11/11 in passing the first alcohol specific tax increase since1972 which includes funding for developmental disabilities and education.

Death Penalty: HB 1075 /SB 837 would have built on the progress made in 2009. It would repeal procedures and requirements related to the death penalty. This bill did not come out of committee in either chamber but will be reintroduced in 2012.

Health Care Exchange: A bill to establish the framework for the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which would administer the provisions of the new federal health care law was passed. This helps Maryland be a leader in implementing the 2010 Affordable Care Act.