What a difference a few days can make! Yesterday, more bills passed and are on their way to the Governor for signing. The Governor has until May to sign them. Governor Moore also signed an executive order extending the General Assembly session for ten days in order to resolve differences about the budget. However, only the budget may be considered during the extension, so we still need to get all of our bills passed before midnight April 8.
Here's How Everything Looks Broken Down by Issue:
Immigration – 1 measure – 1 completely passed
Access to Care Act – SB 705 passed Senate (34-13) and the House (100-38). HB 728 passed the House (101-34) and the Senate (34-13). Both are on their way to the Governor for signature.
Healthcare and Trans Rights – 1 measure – 1 completely passed
Legally Protected Health Care - Gender-Affirming Treatment – SB 119 passed Senate (33-13) and the House (97-38). Companion HB 691 is in House Health and Government Operations Committee awaiting a vote. However, this bill is now on its way to the Governor!!!
Gun Violence Prevention – 4 measures – 1 completely passed
Active Shooter Safety Drills or Trainings – HB 416 passed the House (138-0) and the Senate (37-8) and is on its way to the Governor for signature. Companion bill SB 432 passed the Senate (43-0) and was sent to the House Rules Committee
Center for Firearm Violence Prevention – SB 475 passed Senate (35-11) and the House (101-34) with amendments. Companion HB 583 passed House (103-34) and the Senate (35-11) with amendments. One of the chambers will need to accept the other’s changes and give it a final vote.
Gun Industry Accountability Act – HB 947 has been voted out of the House Judiciary Committee with amendments that match the Senate Bill and is on its way to the full House. Its companion bill, SB 488 has passed the Senate (32-18) and is awaiting a vote in Judiciary.
Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act [higher sales taxes on guns & ammunition] - SB 784 passed Senate (28-17) and is in the House Ways & Means Committee, along with its companion HB 935.
Criminal Justice – 6 measures – 1 completely passed
Resources and Education for All Prisons (REAP) Act – SB 620 passed the Senate (45-0) and the House (110-27) - on its way to the Governor for signature. Companion HB 92 passed House (108-30) and has been reported favorable with amendments by the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.
Correctional Ombudsman Unit – SB 134 passed the Senate (45-0) and passed Second Reading in the House with amendments. After a final vote in the House, the Senate will need to accept the House changes and give it a final vote. Companion HB 297 has passed the House (102-33).
Juvenile Law – Reform – HB 814 passed the House (126-6) and has been reported out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee favorable with amendments. Companion SB 744 passed the Senate (43-2) and is in the House Judiciary Committee.
Medical Parole – Life Imprisonment – SB 132 passed Senate (33-10) - in the House Judiciary Committee, along with its companion HB 185
Prevention of Forced Infant Separation Act – SB 71 passed Senate (43-2) - is in the House Judiciary Committee, along with its companion HB 191
Reentry Services for Women – HB 37 passed House (135-3) - in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee,. There is no companion bill.
Climate Change – 5 measures – 0 completely passed
Working for Accessible Renewable Maryland Thermal Heat (WARMTH) Act - HB 397 passed the House (97-39) and the Senate (36-9) - since the Senate amended the bill, the House will need to accept the changes and give it a final vote. Companion bill, SB 570 , passed the Senate (36-7) and was sent to the House Rules Committee.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans [EmPOWER Reform] - HB 864 passed the House (99-35) and the Senate (32-15) - House needs to accept the Senate amendments and give it a final vote. There is no companion bill.
Clean Water Justice Act – HB 1101 passed the House (100-38) and the Senate (34-14) - House needs to accept the Senate amendments and give it a final vote. The companion SB 653 passed the Senate (33-12) as was sent to the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.
Renewable Energy - Net Energy Metering Aggregation, Certified SRECs and Compliance Fees, Labor Requirements, and Taxes on Solar Energy Generating Systems (Brighter Tomorrow Act) - SB 783 passed the Senate (42-4) and was sent to the House Rules Commitee. Companion bill, HB 1435 is still in the House Economic Matters Committee.
Climate & Environmental Equity Act – HB 24 passed the House (103-36) and is still in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, along with its companion SB 96
