Thirteen (13) more priority bills were introduced ahead of the bill introduction deadlines looming this week, with the Senate deadline of Monday, February 5, and the House deadline of Friday, February 9. Any bills introduced after these dates will be referred to the chambers’ respective Rules Committees, requiring a vote of those bodies before referral to a standing committee. Late bills are less likely to get a hearing during the session since a third of the session will have passed by Friday.
Additional priority bills filed include:
Climate Change: HB 864 - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans [EmPOWER Reform]
Criminal Justice:
Gun Violence:
HB 794 and SB 752 - Regulated Firearms - Maryland Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearm Process
HB 935 and SB 784 - Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act [Excis tax on firearms & ammunition
HB 947 and SB 488 - Civil Actions - Public Nuisances - Firearm Industry Members (Gun Industry Accountability Act of 2024)
Immigration: HB 728 and SB 705 - Health Insurance - Qualified Resident Enrollment Program (Access to Care Act)
With these bills now introduced, all major priorities of our Issue Teams have been filed! Now, all of our efforts will turn to providing compelling testimony and contacting lawmakers on the respective committees to vote in favor.
Upcoming Hearings
In the coming week, thirteen (13) of UULM-MD's priority bill have been scheduled, and every Issue Team is involved:
Wednesday, February 7:
Gun Violence Prevention: Both bills on Active Shooter Drills will be heard:
Senate EEE will also be hearing one Civil Rights bill at 2:00 p.m.
SB 381 - Education - Interscholastic and Intramural Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams - Designation Based on Sex (Fairness In Girls' Sports Act) – We are strongly opposing this anti-trans bill.
Four Criminal Justice bills will be heard in Senate Judicial Proceedings at 2:00 p.m.
Healthcare: Senate Finance will hear one bill at 2:00 p.m.
SB 340 - Prescription Drug Affordability Board - Authority for Upper Payment Limits and Funding (Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Act of 2024)
One Climate Change environmental bill will be heard in House Environment and Transportation at 2:30 p.m.:
HB 168 - Environment - Plastic Products - Postconsumer Recycled Content Program
Thursday, February 8:
One more Criminal Justice bill will be heard in House Judiciary at 12:00 p.m.
The Governor’s HB 814 - Juvenile Law – Reform bill
The Medical Aid in Dying bill will be heard in the Senate Judicial Proceedings at 1:00 p.m.
SB 443 - End-of-Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act)
House Health and Government Operations will hear two bills at 1:00 p.m.:
The hearing schedule is constantly changing, so check frequently our Upcoming Hearings table which we also update at least daily. The table shows only our priority bills scheduled. At this point, twelve (12) more of our priority bills are already scheduled in addition to those coming up this week, and twelve (12) more are yet to be scheduled.
Anyone interested in providing testimony can do so in writing and/or verbally in person or remotely, as long as they are signed up in advance. Contact our Coordinator, Ashley Egan at info@uulmmd.org if you want her to assist you in making your voice heard.
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