Some Bills Move Forward – A Lot of Other Bills are Dead Until Next Year
Monday March 18th is called Cross-over Day. Almost all the bills have to be voted on by either the House or the Senate to be timely heard by the other chamber. If a bill has not been voted on by either chamber it is mostly likely is dead for this year. Here is the status of the bills that I personally am tracking. There are many other good bills but I don't want to overwhelm everybody even more. I have listed the bills that are moving forward and then list those that are most likely not going to go anywhere this year. If there are specific bills that you want to know about let me know.
If you want to know any more about any of the bills go to the Maryland General Assembly Hweb-site: www.mgaleg.
If you want to contact your representatives in District 47 about any of the bills, you should email or call:
Senator Malcolm Augustine Malcolm.
Delegate Diana Fennell (47A) Diana.fennell@house.
Delegate Julian Ivey (47A) Julian.ivey@house.state.md.us
Delegate Wanika Fisher Wanika.
If you do not know who are your representatives, you can go to www.mdelect.net to find out who are your elected representatives There is also a very good smart phone application MD GOV which lists all the Delegates and Senators, their Committees and their contact numbers.
Bills Moving Forward
Consumer Rights
Prohibiting Use of Occupation or Education in Determination of car insurance rates
HB 329 – Passed the House – Unfortunately it was amended to have the MD Insurance Agency study the issue not to actually make the changes
Banning Discrimination in Underwriting and Rating Because of Status As A Surviving Spouse
SB 607 – Passed the Senate
HB 191 – Passed the House
Prohibiting Deceptive Acts by Mortgage Lenders
HB 425 – Passed the House
Criminal Justice
Occupational Licenses or Certificates – Prohibition on use of Criminal Records
HB 22 – Passed the House
Johns Hopkins Private Police Force
Bill would enable Johns Hopkins University to set up a private police force
SB 793 Passed the Senate
Making the Use of a Noose or Swastika a Hate Crime
HB 4 Passed the House
Partial Expungement
This bill repeals the prohibition on expungement of a charge or conviction within a “unit” of charges unless all of the charges or convictions in the unit are eligible for expungement.
HB 13 - Passed the House
Education
Legislation mandates over $1 billion in state spending for education over the next two years. The funding follows the recommendations of the Kerwin Commission that has been reviewing the education priorities for the State. The legislation calls for $325 million in increased funding from state taxpayers for public schools for fiscal year 2020 and $750 million in fiscal year 2021.
Some of the spending over two years are:
HB 1413 – Hearing Held
SB 1030 – Hearing Held
(While these bills have not been passed by either house. They are a priority of leadership and will likely be passed even after the deadline for other bills.)
Flexible School Calendar
Overturns the Governor.’s Executive Order (that mandates all schools to start after Labor Day) to allow a local school board to set the school calendar.
SB 128 Passed the Senate and the House. On to the Governor for veto or signature.
Prohibiting a school district from spending money to arm a teacher with a gun.
HB 367 – Passed the House
Prohibiting non-public schools that receive public funding from discriminating against students who are disabled, LGBTQ+, and other protected classes.
HB 295 - Passed the House
Environmental Issues
Prohibiting use of styrofoam
HB 109 Passed the House
SB 285 Passed the Senate
Ban of Chlorpyrifos
This bill would ban chlorpyrifos, a brain damage-causing pesticide. The chemical has been linked to Parkinson's disease, lung cancer, and lower IQs in children
House Bill 275 Passed the House
Clear Energy Act
SB 516 Senate did not vote on this bill.
Gun Control
Monday March 18th is called Cross-over Day. Almost all the bills have to be voted on by either the House or the Senate to be timely heard by the other chamber. If a bill has not been voted on by either chamber it is mostly likely is dead for this year. Here is the status of the bills that I personally am tracking. There are many other good bills but I don't want to overwhelm everybody even more. I have listed the bills that are moving forward and then list those that are most likely not going to go anywhere this year. If there are specific bills that you want to know about let me know.
If you want to know any more about any of the bills go to the Maryland General Assembly Hweb-site: www.mgaleg.
If you want to contact your representatives in District 47 about any of the bills, you should email or call:
Senator Malcolm Augustine Malcolm.
Delegate Diana Fennell (47A) Diana.fennell@house.
Delegate Julian Ivey (47A) Julian.ivey@house.state.md.us
Delegate Wanika Fisher Wanika.
If you do not know who are your representatives, you can go to www.mdelect.net to find out who are your elected representatives There is also a very good smart phone application MD GOV which lists all the Delegates and Senators, their Committees and their contact numbers.
Bills Moving Forward
Consumer Rights
Prohibiting Use of Occupation or Education in Determination of car insurance rates
HB 329 – Passed the House – Unfortunately it was amended to have the MD Insurance Agency study the issue not to actually make the changes
Banning Discrimination in Underwriting and Rating Because of Status As A Surviving Spouse
SB 607 – Passed the Senate
HB 191 – Passed the House
Prohibiting Deceptive Acts by Mortgage Lenders
HB 425 – Passed the House
Criminal Justice
Occupational Licenses or Certificates – Prohibition on use of Criminal Records
HB 22 – Passed the House
Johns Hopkins Private Police Force
Bill would enable Johns Hopkins University to set up a private police force
SB 793 Passed the Senate
Making the Use of a Noose or Swastika a Hate Crime
HB 4 Passed the House
Partial Expungement
This bill repeals the prohibition on expungement of a charge or conviction within a “unit” of charges unless all of the charges or convictions in the unit are eligible for expungement.
HB 13 - Passed the House
Education
Legislation mandates over $1 billion in state spending for education over the next two years. The funding follows the recommendations of the Kerwin Commission that has been reviewing the education priorities for the State. The legislation calls for $325 million in increased funding from state taxpayers for public schools for fiscal year 2020 and $750 million in fiscal year 2021.
Some of the spending over two years are:
HB 1413 – Hearing Held
SB 1030 – Hearing Held
(While these bills have not been passed by either house. They are a priority of leadership and will likely be passed even after the deadline for other bills.)
Flexible School Calendar
Overturns the Governor.’s Executive Order (that mandates all schools to start after Labor Day) to allow a local school board to set the school calendar.
SB 128 Passed the Senate and the House. On to the Governor for veto or signature.
Prohibiting a school district from spending money to arm a teacher with a gun.
HB 367 – Passed the House
Prohibiting non-public schools that receive public funding from discriminating against students who are disabled, LGBTQ+, and other protected classes.
HB 295 - Passed the House
Environmental Issues
Prohibiting use of styrofoam
HB 109 Passed the House
SB 285 Passed the Senate
Ban of Chlorpyrifos
This bill would ban chlorpyrifos, a brain damage-causing pesticide. The chemical has been linked to Parkinson's disease, lung cancer, and lower IQs in children
House Bill 275 Passed the House
Clear Energy Act
SB 516 Senate did not vote on this bill.
Gun Control
Banning of Computer–Aided Fabrication and Serial Number (3–D Printed Firearms and Ghost Guns)
HB 740 –Passed the House
Requiring background checks for all purchases of long guns, including shotguns and rifles
HB 786 – Passed the House
Health Care
End of Life Option
HB 399 Passed the House
Prescription Drug Affordability Board
HB 768 Hearing held
SB 759 Hearing held
While normally bills that haven't passed one of the two chambers would be considered dead. These bills are a high legislative priority and still may be voted on before the end of the session.
Raising the Age of Selling Tobacco to 21
SB 895 Passed the Senate - Two bills have to be reconciled
HB 1169 Passed the House
Patients Bill of Rights
Requiring a hospital to provide patients with a patient's bill of rights andto provide patients with a translator, a interpreter
HB 145 - Passed the House
Tanning Beds - Prohibition of Use by Minors (under 18)
Research has shown that using an indoor tanning device before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 59 percent and the risk is even higher when tanning bed use begins before the age of 25.
HB 124 - Passed the House
SB 299 - Passed the Senate - Two bills have to be reconciled after one of them was amended
Immigration Rights
Maryland Dream Act
Expands the people eligible for in-state tuition
SB 537 – Passed the Senate
U Visa Legislation
This bill will ensure that victims of crimes or witness of crimes who help the police can get a visa to keep them in the country
HB 214 – Passed the House
Safe Harbor Legislation
Bill Requiring to require schools and hospitals to establish a policy that limits immigration enforcement on the premises to the fullest extent possible consistent
HB 1273 – Passed the House
Other Topics
Ignition Interlock System
Requiring that an Ignition Interlock System be equipped with a camera capable of recording still images of the person
HB55 Passed the House
Expanded Tax Credit for Child Care
The bill would allow those Marylanders to claim more in credits, while expanding the credits to residents who make more than $50,000 but less than $141,000. That expands the number of Marylanders eligible for the tax credits from 23,000 to about 114,200 taxpayers.
SB 870 - Passed the Senate
HB 810 - Passed the House
Elimination of Statute of Limitations for sex abuse against minors and create a two-year window to file suit for victims where a previous statute of limitations has expired.
House Bill 687 Passed the House
Prince George’s County Local Bills
Tax Credits for Grocery Stores in Food Deserts:
This bill authorizes a tax credit in Prince George’s County for new food stores in what are determined to be ‘food deserts’ in the County.
HB188 – Passed the House
Property Tax Credits for Teachers
This bill authorizes Prince George’s County to issue a Property tax credit of up to $2,500 for teachers who decide to move into the County.
HB 223 - Passed the House
Repealing a Limitation of Campaign Contributions from Developers to County Executive (I am in opposition to this bill)
HB 227 Passed the House
Transportation
Movement of Railroad Freight - Required Two Person Crew
This bill would prohibit the movement of freight in the same rail corridor as a high speed commuter or passenger train unless the freight train has at least two workers.
HB 66 – Passed the House
Independent Environmental Study for Transportation Projects
This legislation is seen as a way of slowing Gov. Hogan Jr.’s proposals to widen the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270.
HB 1091 - Passed the House
Option for Gender Neutral Drivers License
Bill allow residents to apply for licenses with gender identifiers of “M,” “F,” or “X.”
SB 196 The House of Delegates and the Senate passed this bill. It now goes to the Governor for signature or veto.
Workers Rights
$15 Minimum Wage
HB 166/SB 280 The Senate Bill passed the Senate and the House Bill has passed the House and the Senate but the Senate amended the bill to let small businesses have an extra three years (until 2028) to get to the $15 level. There will now be a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two versions before it goes to the Governor for signature or veto.
Collective Bargaining Rights for Graduate Students at UMD, St. Mary's and Morgan State University
HB 270 - Passed the House
Bills That Probably Won’t Pass This Year
Criminal Justice Reform
Increasing pre-release facility services
HB 715 Hearing held
SB 419 Hearing held
Expungement of Nonviolent Convictions
HB 19 – Hearing Held
Consumer Rights
Prohibiting Use of credit factors in the determination of car insurance rates
HB 351 – Voted down in House Committee
SB 235 –Hearing held
Environmental Initiatives
Pipeline and Water Protection Act
HB 669 Hearing held
SB 387 Hearing held
Health Care
Medicare for All Legislation (First Steps)
HB 1087 Hearing held
SB 871 Hearing 3/20
Immigration Justice
Prohibition In Keeping Undocumented People in Jail Beyond Their Sentence Without Judicial Oversight
HB 913 – Hearing held
SB 17 – Hearing held
Other Topics
New 5G wireless telephone poles placement has to follow local zoning laws
HB 1020 Referred to interim study
SB 713 Referred to interim study
Allowing the Legislature to Add Items to the Governor’s Budget
HB 1108 Hearing held
Legalization of Marijuana
HB 632 Referred to a summer task force
Transportation
Majority of Counties Have to Agree Before New Toll Road Are Built Through Their Counties
HB 102 – Hearing Held
SB 442 - Hearing held
(HB 1091 was passed as alternative legislation to slow construction of the widening of I 270 and the Beltway)
Voting Rights
Small donor public financing
HB 1017 Hearing held
SB 414 Hearing held
Constitutional Amendment repealing Citizens United
HJ2 Hearing held
SJ1 Voted down in Senate Committee
Special Election to Fill a Vacancy for State Delegate or Senator
HB 85 Hearing Held
Presidential Tax Transparency Act
Candidate Has to release tax returns to be on the Maryland ballot
HB 925 – Hearing held
Worker Rights
Collective Bargaining for community college workers
HB 766 Hearing held
Overtime for Low Paid Salaried Workers
HB 1040 Voted Down in Committee – Feds have proposed regulation to pay people for OT who make under $35,000
Expanding Prohibition Against Discrimination in Employment to Small Employers
HB 661 Hearing held
There are a couple of good websites that also track bills. You might want to look at QED’s web-site: https://qedinc.us/
Requiring background checks for all purchases of long guns, including shotguns and rifles
HB 786 – Passed the House
Health Care
End of Life Option
HB 399 Passed the House
Prescription Drug Affordability Board
HB 768 Hearing held
SB 759 Hearing held
While normally bills that haven't passed one of the two chambers would be considered dead. These bills are a high legislative priority and still may be voted on before the end of the session.
Raising the Age of Selling Tobacco to 21
SB 895 Passed the Senate - Two bills have to be reconciled
HB 1169 Passed the House
Patients Bill of Rights
Requiring a hospital to provide patients with a patient's bill of rights andto provide patients with a translator, a interpreter
HB 145 - Passed the House
Tanning Beds - Prohibition of Use by Minors (under 18)
Research has shown that using an indoor tanning device before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 59 percent and the risk is even higher when tanning bed use begins before the age of 25.
HB 124 - Passed the House
SB 299 - Passed the Senate - Two bills have to be reconciled after one of them was amended
Immigration Rights
Maryland Dream Act
Expands the people eligible for in-state tuition
SB 537 – Passed the Senate
U Visa Legislation
This bill will ensure that victims of crimes or witness of crimes who help the police can get a visa to keep them in the country
HB 214 – Passed the House
Safe Harbor Legislation
Bill Requiring to require schools and hospitals to establish a policy that limits immigration enforcement on the premises to the fullest extent possible consistent
HB 1273 – Passed the House
Other Topics
Ignition Interlock System
Requiring that an Ignition Interlock System be equipped with a camera capable of recording still images of the person
HB55 Passed the House
Expanded Tax Credit for Child Care
The bill would allow those Marylanders to claim more in credits, while expanding the credits to residents who make more than $50,000 but less than $141,000. That expands the number of Marylanders eligible for the tax credits from 23,000 to about 114,200 taxpayers.
SB 870 - Passed the Senate
HB 810 - Passed the House
Elimination of Statute of Limitations for sex abuse against minors and create a two-year window to file suit for victims where a previous statute of limitations has expired.
House Bill 687 Passed the House
Prince George’s County Local Bills
Tax Credits for Grocery Stores in Food Deserts:
This bill authorizes a tax credit in Prince George’s County for new food stores in what are determined to be ‘food deserts’ in the County.
HB188 – Passed the House
Property Tax Credits for Teachers
This bill authorizes Prince George’s County to issue a Property tax credit of up to $2,500 for teachers who decide to move into the County.
HB 223 - Passed the House
Repealing a Limitation of Campaign Contributions from Developers to County Executive (I am in opposition to this bill)
HB 227 Passed the House
Transportation
Movement of Railroad Freight - Required Two Person Crew
This bill would prohibit the movement of freight in the same rail corridor as a high speed commuter or passenger train unless the freight train has at least two workers.
HB 66 – Passed the House
Independent Environmental Study for Transportation Projects
This legislation is seen as a way of slowing Gov. Hogan Jr.’s proposals to widen the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270.
HB 1091 - Passed the House
Option for Gender Neutral Drivers License
Bill allow residents to apply for licenses with gender identifiers of “M,” “F,” or “X.”
SB 196 The House of Delegates and the Senate passed this bill. It now goes to the Governor for signature or veto.
Workers Rights
$15 Minimum Wage
HB 166/SB 280 The Senate Bill passed the Senate and the House Bill has passed the House and the Senate but the Senate amended the bill to let small businesses have an extra three years (until 2028) to get to the $15 level. There will now be a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two versions before it goes to the Governor for signature or veto.
Collective Bargaining Rights for Graduate Students at UMD, St. Mary's and Morgan State University
HB 270 - Passed the House
Bills That Probably Won’t Pass This Year
Criminal Justice Reform
Increasing pre-release facility services
HB 715 Hearing held
SB 419 Hearing held
Expungement of Nonviolent Convictions
HB 19 – Hearing Held
Consumer Rights
Prohibiting Use of credit factors in the determination of car insurance rates
HB 351 – Voted down in House Committee
SB 235 –Hearing held
Environmental Initiatives
Pipeline and Water Protection Act
HB 669 Hearing held
SB 387 Hearing held
Health Care
Medicare for All Legislation (First Steps)
HB 1087 Hearing held
SB 871 Hearing 3/20
Immigration Justice
Prohibition In Keeping Undocumented People in Jail Beyond Their Sentence Without Judicial Oversight
HB 913 – Hearing held
SB 17 – Hearing held
Other Topics
New 5G wireless telephone poles placement has to follow local zoning laws
HB 1020 Referred to interim study
SB 713 Referred to interim study
Allowing the Legislature to Add Items to the Governor’s Budget
HB 1108 Hearing held
Legalization of Marijuana
HB 632 Referred to a summer task force
Transportation
Majority of Counties Have to Agree Before New Toll Road Are Built Through Their Counties
HB 102 – Hearing Held
SB 442 - Hearing held
(HB 1091 was passed as alternative legislation to slow construction of the widening of I 270 and the Beltway)
Voting Rights
Small donor public financing
HB 1017 Hearing held
SB 414 Hearing held
Constitutional Amendment repealing Citizens United
HJ2 Hearing held
SJ1 Voted down in Senate Committee
Special Election to Fill a Vacancy for State Delegate or Senator
HB 85 Hearing Held
Presidential Tax Transparency Act
Candidate Has to release tax returns to be on the Maryland ballot
HB 925 – Hearing held
Worker Rights
Collective Bargaining for community college workers
HB 766 Hearing held
Overtime for Low Paid Salaried Workers
HB 1040 Voted Down in Committee – Feds have proposed regulation to pay people for OT who make under $35,000
Expanding Prohibition Against Discrimination in Employment to Small Employers
HB 661 Hearing held
There are a couple of good websites that also track bills. You might want to look at QED’s web-site: https://qedinc.us/
