Experience Access Proven Results

2014 End Of Session Report April 2014

Table of Contents

2014 End of Session Report

Minimum Wage

Marijuana Possession

Unpaid Parental Leave

Speed Camera Reform

Budget - FY 2015

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2014 End of Session Report

The Maryland General Assembly met for the 2014 session beginning January 8th and adjourning sine die on April 7th. This was the final meeting of the current legislators, all 188 seats will be on the ballot this year with a high rate of turnover expected as a result of retirement and challengers. This year, 2,672 bills were considered. Of these bills, many have been sent to the Governor for his signature or veto.

With the close of session, and the primary being three months earlier than it has been traditionally, legislators have returned to their home districts and campaign season has begun in earnest. The Governor had very few administrative priorities this year, making this a relatively quiet session. This is the final year of the O'Malley/Brown Administration as well as for a number of legislators. Of the 188 members of the General Assembly, 50 are retiring or seeking a different elected office, 43 Delegates and seven Senators. This is a high rate of turnover and will lead to quite a bit of change in many of the legislative committees.

Of the 2,672 bills submitted, most received hearings in one of the General Assembly's ten committees. Some of the topics heard this session include;

HB 295 - Maryland Minimum Wage Act of 2014

HB 295 - Maryland Minimum Wage Act of 2014 - The bill went through many iterations as a result of amendments from legislators in both House and Senate committees. The final version of the bill increases the minimum wage over time beginning with an increase to $8.00 on January 1, 2015, and ending with a final increase to $10.10 on July 1, 2018. Additionally, there are a few exemptions to the language and a training wage for workers ages 19 and below. This article provides information about the bill that was passed.

SB 364 - Criminal Law -

Possession of Marijuana - Civil Offense

SB 364 - Criminal Law - Possession of Marijuana - Civil Offense - This legislation decriminalizes the possession of marijuana in amounts up to 10 grams. Decriminalization eliminates criminal penalties for the offense, replacing them with a fine up to $100. This article explains the bill that was passed and confirms Governor O'Malley's intent to sign the bill into law.

HB 1026 - Labor and Employment -Unpaid Parental Leave - Birth or Adoption of a Child

HB 1026 - Labor and Employment - Unpaid Parental Leave - Birth or Adoption of a Child - This legislation puts in place a provision that grants six weeks of unpaid parental leave for employees of companies with 15-49 employees. The bill requires that the employee have worked for the company for at least one year prior to taking the leave. Currently, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers to allow for 12 weeks of unpaid leave under various circumstances, FMLA does not apply to companies with fewer than 50 employees.

SB 350 - Speed Monitoring Systems Reform Act 2014

SB 350 - Speed Monitoring Systems Reform Act 2014 - This legislation clarifies and reforms a number of components of Maryland's speed camera program. The bill eliminates the ticket bounty system, requires each jurisdiction operating speed cameras to appoint a ticket ombudsman, defines a school zone for the purpose of locating speed cameras and clarifies that a duly authorized law enforcement officer must approve every speed camera ticket before it is sent out. This article provides further information about the bill.

SB 170 & SB 172 - Operating and Capital Budgets, Fiscal Year 2015

SB 170 & SB 172 - Operating and Capital Budgets, Fiscal Year 2015 - Each year, the Maryland General Assembly is required to pass the State's operating budget. Additionally, a separate budget is passed to fund capital projects. Some key provisions of this year's budget include expanding the State's Pre-K program to serve more children and over $275 million in funding for school construction and $373 million for capital projects at the State's Colleges and Universities. Additionally, the budget includes a return of health care premium overages collected from State employees, funding for the new Prince George's Hospital Center and many other hospital projects, as well as funding for several building projects around the State.

If you have questions about these, or any other legislation that was considered by the Maryland General Assembly this year, please let us know.

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