Stephen Buckingham
One Week to Go!
Click Here for Digest: https://uulmmd.salsalabs.org/2022-04-04-digest-a
Many Bills Have Already Passed
A number of important bills, including some of our top priorities, have now passed both chambers and will be presented to the Governor for his consideration. Priority bills are in Bold type:
Health Care
HB 937 - Abortion Care Access Act
Criminal Justice
SB 53 – Juvenile Law - Child Interrogation Protection Act
HB 129 – Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services and Public Safety Answering Points – Modifications
HB 293 - Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services - 9-8-8 Trust Fund
HB 837 – Cannabis Reform
HB 1 – Constitutional Amendment – Cannabis – Adult Use and Possession
Immigration
HB 1080 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Children and Pregnant Women (Healthy Babies Equity Act)
Climate Change
SB 528 – Climate Solutions Now
HB 31 – Maryland Energy Administration – Resiliency Hub Grant Program and Fund
HB 108 – Public Utilities - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs - Energy Performance Targets and Low-Income Housing
HB 141 – Equity in Transportation Sector - Guidelines and Analyses
HB 778 and SB 514 – Transportation - Investment Program - MARC Rail Service (Maryland Regional Rail Transformation Act)
SB 228 – Maryland Corps Program – Revisions
Gun Violence
HB 1021 – Public Safety – Licensed Firearms Dealers – Security Requirements
Economic Justice
SB 275 - Labor and Employment – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2022)
Priority Bills That Still Need to Pass We are still waiting on some of important bills to move in the opposite chamber, including:
Climate Change
SB 81 – Charter Counties - Enforcement of Local Building Performance Laws (Building Energy Performance Standards Act of 2022) – Passed Senate and awaiting action in House Environment and Transportation Committee
HB 1391 – Clean Cars Act of 2022 – Passed House and awaiting action in Senate Finance Committee
HB 76 / SB 264 – Community Solar Energy Generating Systems - Exemption From Property Taxes – Each passed its chamber of origin and awaiting action in opposite chamber committee
HB 772 / SB 494 – Maryland Energy Administration - Energy and Water Efficiency Standards – Alterations – Each passed its chamber of origin and awaiting action in opposite chamber committee
SB 630 – Maryland Department of Emergency Management - Office of Resilience – Passed Senate and awaiting action in House Environment and Transportation Committee
HB 622 / SB 526 - Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Renewable Energy Credits - Offshore Wind – Each passed its chamber of origin; HB 622 passed Senate with amendments – the two versions need to be reconciled before passage
HB 1200 / SB 818 - Environment – Permit Applications – Environmental Justice Screening – Each passed its chamber of origin and awaiting action in opposite chamber committee
HB 275 / SB 273 - Environment – PFAS Chemicals – Prohibitions and Requirements (George “Walter” Taylor Act) – Each passed its chamber of origin and awaiting action in opposite chamber committee
SB 124 / HB 150 - Public Schools – Grant Program to Reduce and Compost School Waste – Passed Senate and awaiting action in House Ways & Means Committee
SB 516 - Equitable and Inclusive Transit-Oriented Development Enhancement Act Passed Senate and waiting for reassignment from Rules to a Standing Committee
HB 540 / SB 437 - Agriculture - University of Maryland Extension - Urban Farmer Assistance – Each passed its chamber of origin and awaiting action in opposite chamber committee (SB 437 has hearing in Appropriations on 4/4)
HB 10 / SB 61 - Maryland Transit Administration - Conversion to Zero-Emission Buses (Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act Revisions) – Each passed its chamber of origin and awaiting action in opposite chamber committee
SB 418 - Energy Generation Projects - Required Community Benefit Agreement and Labor Standards – Passed Senate and awaiting action in House Economic Matters Committee
Criminal Justice
HB 67 - Correctional Services - Restrictive Housing - Direct Release – Passed House and awaiting action in Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Health Care
SB 632 - Maryland Health Benefit Exchange - Small Business and Nonprofit Health Insurance Subsidies Program – Workgroup – Passed Senate and awaiting action in House Health and Government Operations Committee
Immigration
HB 559 - Probation Before Judgment - Probation Agreements - Probation Not Deportation – Passed House, awaiting action in Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
