The Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) of the General Assembly recently issued interim organizational materials for 2017. Information includes letters from committee chairs of standing, statutory and special committees detailing proposed activities for the interim; and listings of legislation related to the LPC, new reports to the General Assembly as a result of legislation, and reports [...]
Maryland beer distributor Bond Distributing Company recently announced that Kevin Pyles, driver sales associate, has been recognized in the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) Employee Spotlight Program.
With a two-year effort by Central Scholarship, a nonprofit that provides scholarships and interest-free loans to students, Maryland has become the first state to ban the practice of scholarship award displacement at public four-year colleges and universities. HB 266 / SB 327 (Ch. 331 and 332, Acts of 2017), which took effect July 1, 2017, [...]
New Laws Take Effect July 1 Several new laws will take effect July 1, including legislation to expand opioid education in schools, provide funding for Planned Parenthood if federal funding is cut, increase barrel limits for craft breweries, and provide a tax break on retirement income of law enforcement, fire, rescue or emergency services personnel who [...]
June 2017 Speaker Mike Busch Undergoes Liver Transplant After being diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, Maryland House Speaker Mike Busch underwent a liver transplant to resolve a medical problem attributed to a skin cancer medication. The surgery was successful and the Speaker is doing well. Additional details can be found in an article recently published in [...]
May 2017 Governor Hogan Vetoes Redistricting Bill Governor Hogan vetoed a bill that would have reformed the redistricting process, SB 1023, stating that it blocked true redistricting reform. The legislation, which passed during the recently ended 2017 General Assembly Session, would have required nonpartisan redistricting in the state if five nearby states also agreed to [...]
Governor Hogan has announced additional legislative actions on several bills that passed during the 2017 General Assembly session. The Governor vetoed one bill and will let several others take effect without his signature. Governor Hogan vetoed Senate Bill 543/House Bill 694 – Higher Education – Admissions Process – Criminal History. SB 543/HB 694 Veto Letter [...]
During an afternoon press conference held on May 25, Governor Hogan announced his veto of HB 1, Labor and Employment - Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, otherwise referred to as the "Paid Sick Leave" legislation. According to the Governor's press release, Governor Hogan stated that the legislation was a "deeply flawed, job-killing paid leave bill" and [...]
April 2017 - Legislative Session Overview The 2017 General Assembly Session came to a close at midnight on April 10. A total of 2,879 pieces of legislation were introduced - 1,200 originating in the Senate, 1,661 originating in the House, and 18 Joint Resolutions. Of this number, the General Assembly passed 935 pieces of legislation [...]
March 2017 State Reduces Fiscal 2017 Revenue Projections by $35.3 Million The Board of Revenue Estimates lowered its projection for the current fiscal 2017 year by $35.3 million and increased its projection for fiscal year 2018 by $2.3 million, resulting in a net reduction of $33 million. According to a statement from the Comptroller's office, [...]
