Stephen Buckingham
Vetoes Overridden and more Bills Passed - Last Day Arrives!
Bills Presented to the Governor
On Saturday, the General Assembly overrode vetoes on a number of bills that Governor Hogan had vetoed on Friday (priorities are in bold):
SB 53 – Juvenile Law – Child Interrogation Protection Act
HB 937 – Abortion Care Access Act
HB 778 and SB 514 – Transportation – Investment Program – MARC Rail Service
SB 275 – Labor and Employment – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Establishment
HB 1021 – Public Safety – Licensed Firearms Dealers – Security Requirements
Governor Hogan also allowed the following to go into effect without his signature:
SB 528 – Climate Solutions Now
SB 228 – Maryland Corps Program – Revisions
HB 1080 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Children and Pregnant Women (Healthy Babies Equity 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
As a constitutional amendment, HB 1 – Cannabis – Adult Use and Possession – was not sent to the Governor for action, but it will become law if approved by popular referendum in November. ____________________________________________________________________________ In addition, since last Monday, several more important bills received final approval, including:
HB 67 - Correctional Services - Restrictive Housing - Direct Release
HB 540 - Agriculture - University of Maryland Extension - Urban Farmer Assistance
HB 10 and SB 61 - Maryland Transit Administration - Conversion to Zero-Emission Buses (Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act Revisions)
HB 540 - Agriculture - University of Maryland Extension - Urban Farmer Assistance
HB 440 - Electricity - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems - Net Energy Metering and Generating Capacity
HB 76 – Community Solar Energy Generating Systems - Exemption From Property Taxes
HB 653 and SB 348 - Conservation Finance Act
HB 772 – Maryland Energy Administration - Energy and Water Efficiency Standards – Alterations
HB 1200 - Environment – Permit Applications – Environmental Justice Screening
SB 788 - Cannabis - Regulation - Delta-8- and Delta-10-Tetrahydrocannabinol
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Sine Die
Before the Assembly adjourns sine die (“without day,” meaning indefinitely) on Monday night at midnight, there are still a few bills that need final approval, 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
SB 630 – Maryland Department of Emergency Management - Office of Resilience – Passed Senate and awaiting action in House Environment and Transportation Committee
HB 275 / SB 273 - Environment – PFAS Chemicals – Prohibitions and Requirements (George “Walter” Taylor Act) – Different versions from each house need to be reconciled
SB 124 / HB 150 - Public Schools – Grant Program to Reduce and Compost School Waste – Both chambers have passed amended versions and are awaiting action in the opposite chamber
HB 1391 – Clean Cars Act of 2022 – Passed House and amended by the Senate; House to concur in Senate amendments or appoint a Conference Committee to resolve
Health Care
SB 632 - Maryland Health Benefit Exchange - Small Business and Nonprofit Health Insurance Subsidies Program – Workgroup – Passed Senate and 2nd reading in House without further amendment; awaiting 3rd reading and final passage in House
Immigration
HB 559 - Probation Before Judgment - Probation Agreements - Probation Not Deportation – Passed House, awaiting action in Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, along with SB 265.
