While I usually write about the status of legislation in Annapolis, this year one must write about the big shadow over Annapolis and all of Maryland. The re-election of Donald Trump will have a profound impact on the Maryland budget, legislation being passed in Maryland and on many Maryland residents.
In the first two weeks President Trump issued over 50 Executive Orders many of which repealed multiple regulations and orders from previous administrations. Many if not most will be challenged in the courts. Some analysts have said that Trump is “flooding the zone” a football reference when many receivers are sent out to catch a pass. We expect more executive actions to come on a daily basis.
Some of the Executive Orders which have the most impact on Maryland residents are:
o The pause on all federal grant programs. This has been rescinded for now after it was blocked by a judge. Maryland receives over $23 bill in federal grants. These grants include: public safety grants to law enforcement, disaster relief, transportation projects, substance abuse treatment, biomedical research, K-12 and higher education, work programs, small business loans, veterans, arts institutions and and more.
o Mandate that all Federal workers return to work. Many Marylanders may have to leave their jobs.
o Converting over 50,000 civil service positions into political positions in which people can be fired at will
o Incentive for Federal employees to leave their jobs. They will be paid through September 30th.
o Deportation of undocumented MD residents, many of whom are our neighbors and pay taxes in Maryland.
o Pause on use of Federal Offshore lands for use of wind mills
o Threat to cut off of Federal grants to institutions of higher education and local jurisdictions that teach or have DEI programs
Governor Moore’s Budget has been introduced and there will be House and Senate hearings on his proposals to raise $1 billion in revenue and cut $2 bill in important state services. Many of the changes will be in the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 (HB 352). There will be an important hearing on that bill on February 25th at 1 PM. You can watch the televised hearing at the MGA Website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/
New Bills Introduced in the General Assembly
The end of next week is the deadline for all bill to be introduced in the legislature and for them to be heard and voted on in a timely manner. Already over 2,000 bills have been introduced and I expect 500-1000 more to be introduced next week.
Over the last few years, I have been working with the Maryland Legislative Coalition (https://mdlegislative.com ). We regularly review the bills that have been introduced and then let people know about them and how they can advocate for them. I will be copying their material from now on rather than rewriting what’s already been done.
Criminal Justice
HB0634 SB0295 Income Tax - Income Tax Reconciliation Program - Established (Maryland Fair Taxation for Justice-Involved Individuals Act) allows justice-involved individuals to set up installment payment plans and receive waivers for interest and penalties on unpaid income taxes, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. This legislation is a powerful step towards economic justice and social equity, ensuring past mistakes don't lead to a lifetime of financial hardship. Referred to House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
Environment
HB0340 Climate Change-Attorney General Actions, Climate Change Restitution Fund, and Climate Change Restitution Fund Advisory Council authorizes Maryland’s Attorney General to sue major fossil fuel companies, shifting the financial burden from Maryland families to polluters and creating a dedicated fund for addressing climate impacts. This bill addresses the fact that Maryland faces a severe budget shortfall, with climate-related damages draining taxpayer dollars and affecting funding for critical services. Referred to House Government Operations Committee.
HB0419 Natural Gas - Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement (Ratepayer Protection Act) will introduce new requirements to the Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Plan (STRIDE), ensuring that STRIDE spending is cost-effective, considers non-pipeline alternatives, prioritizes safety with modern leak-detection technology, and mandates utilities to provide customers with two years' notice on STRIDE work. Marylanders need gas utilities to maintain system safety, but overspending on new infrastructure doesn’t align with our climate goals or the interests of ratepayers. Referred to House Economic Matters Committee.
Housing
HB0817 SB0609 Residential Leases - Use of Algorithmic Device by Landlord to Determine Rent - Prohibition disallows the use of algorithmic devices that calculate rents by analyzing extensive nonpublic competitor data on rents by neighborhood to optimize profits and occupancy. However, these algorithms can escalate rents and overlook individual tenant circumstances, perpetuating existing biases and exacerbating Maryland’s housing crisis. Referred to House Environment and Transportation Committee and Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
HB0896 SB0677 Human Relations - Discrimination in Housing - Income-Based Housing Subsidies ensures fair housing opportunities for everyone, regardless of how they earn their income. Individuals and families using housing subsidies would have the same access to rental properties as anyone else and in inclusive communities that break down socio-economic barriers while combating housing instability. Referred to House Environment and Transportation Committee and Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
HB0709 SB0651 Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases and Holdover Tenancies - Local Good Cause Termination (Good Cause Eviction) Authorizing a county to adopt, by local law or ordinance, provisions prohibiting certain landlords of residential property from failing to renew a lease during the lease period or from terminating a holdover tenancy without good cause; establishing certain requirements and prohibitions for a local law or ordinance adopted in accordance with the Act; etc. Referred to House Environment and Transportation Committee and Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
HB0767 SB0442 Real Property - Landlord and Tenant - Procedures for Failure to Pay Rent, Breach of Lease, and Tenant Holding Over (Tenant Possessions Recovery Act) Requiring a landlord to provide certain notice to a tenant when a court has issued a warrant of restitution for a failure of a tenant to pay rent, a breach of lease, or a tenant holding over under certain circumstances; establishing certain procedures and requirements for the execution of a warrant for repossession; providing for the disposition of certain personal property following the execution of a warrant of restitution; etc. Referred to House Environment and Transportation Committee and Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR BILLS
When there is a Committee Hearing on A Bill Scheduled, it is important to contact members of the Committee. The General Assembly website lists all the committees, the members of each committee and their contact information. Go to the main page (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/
Call or send an email to your legislators using the contact information found. Here is where you can find out who are your Delegates and Senator: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/
If you would like to include a short description of the bills, you can include the descriptions shown above. You are also encouraged to include any details of why you think this bill is important.
Dear (legislator),
My name is _________ and my address is ______________. I am writing to let you know that the following bill(s) is(are) important to me and to all Marylanders. I would like to request that you be a champion for these bills and help them get passed quickly.
Each of these bills is important for Maryland and I support them and would like your help in getting them passed. If you are not on the relevant committee, I would appreciate your voting for them during the session. If you are on the relevant committee, I hope you will fight for them and support the sponsors as much as possible.
Thank you for your consideration,
(name)
