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Dear Friends,
As we conclude the tenth week of the 2025 Legislative Session, we now have just 23 days remaining in the 447th session. With only 90 days to propose, debate, amend, and pass legislation, the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) operates within a tight timeframe to move bills between the Senate and House of Delegates.
One of the most significant 2025 Session Dates is Monday, March 17, 2025 - the 69th day of session, known as the Opposite Chamber Crossover Date. By this deadline, each chamber must send any bills it intends to pass to the other chamber for consideration. As a result, we are currently seeing a high volume of bills moving between the Senate and House of Delegates, leading to long nights of hearings and double- sometimes triple voting sessions. Bills can still pass even if they miss this deadline; however, they must overcome an additional hurdle by being referred to the Chamber’s Rules Committee.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has taken the time to testify at committee hearings. The voices of constituents and stakeholders remain one of the most valuable aspects of the lawmaking process.
These discussions are crucial in helping constituents, staff, and legislators gain a deeper understanding of complex issues that directly affect Marylanders.
| Senate Bills on the move to the House of Delegates: | | |
Health Care:
Senate Bill 773 - Health Benefit Plans – Calculation of Cost Sharing Contribution – Requirements unanimously passed the Senate and has moved to the House of Delegates. This bill requires administrators, carriers, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to count payments made by or on behalf of an enrollee toward many of the cost-sharing requirements. It also prohibits them from altering health plan coverage terms based on financial or product availability for prescriptions. Additionally, an annual cost-sharing cap must apply to all covered health services under a health benefit plan.
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Military:
As the primary sponsor of two veterans bills this year, I am honored to advocate for veterans and their families. I appreciate the Senate’s unanimous support in passing both bills, which have now advanced to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Senate Bill 872 - Local Government - Hiring and Promotion Preferences for Veterans and Spouses of Service Members and Veterans (Families Serve Act) supports veterans and their families by expanding their employment opportunities in local government across Maryland. This bill allows counties and municipalities to enact laws granting hiring and promotion preferences to eligible veterans, their spouses, and surviving spouses. It also provides a 10-point credit on employment selection tests.
Senate Bill 652 - Local Government – Local Personnel – Leave With Pay expands the Time to Serve Act of 2024 to include eligible local and municipal employees, giving local governments the option to approve paid military leave based on their budgets. This promotes fairness among service members, reduces disparities between state and local employees, and supports both military service and career growth.
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Reparations:
Senate Bill 587 - State Government- Maryland Reparations Commission passed the Senate (32-13) and has moved to the House of Delegates. This bill establishes the Maryland Reparations Commission to study and recommend benefits for individuals whose ancestors were enslaved in the state or who have been affected by historical government injustices. The commission will examine past reparations efforts, research Maryland’s history, analyze inequitable policies, and identify appropriate forms of compensation.
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Tax Credits:
Senate Bill 663 - Earned Income Tax Credit - Notice of Eligibility - Alteration unanimously passed the Senate and has moved to the House of Delegates. Under current law, the Comptroller’s office is required to notify businesses by mail about employees who may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This bill expands the notification options, allowing the Comptroller to inform businesses via email or traditional mail, ensuring greater awareness and efficiency.
Senate 414 - Income Tax Credit - Parent of Stillborn Child unanimously passed the Senate and has moved to the House of Delegates. This bill offers a $1,000 tax credit for grieving parents of stillborn births.
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Housing:
Senate Bill 46 - Real Property - Wrongful Detainer Actions passed the Senate (44-1) and now moves to the House of Delegates for consideration. As a proud co-sponsor, I support this bill’s efforts to address wrongful detainer cases, commonly involving squatters. The bill prohibits individuals from unlawfully occupying or claiming possession of a property and ensures that the sheriff’s office can promptly remove violators. It expedites the eviction process by allowing a summons to be issued without requiring the occupant’s name and shortens the timeline for hearings, which must be held within four to seven days of filing. If found guilty, the individual can be immediately evicted. Additionally, I am pleased that language from my own legislation, Senate Bill 489, was incorporated into this bill, further strengthening protections for property owners.
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Senate Bill 63 - Cooperative Housing Corporations, Condominiums, and Homeowners Associations – Funding of Reserve Accounts and Preparation of Funding Plans passed the Senate (38-6) and has moved to the House of Delegates for consideration. Senate Bill 63 aims to amend the current reserve funding requirements. It extends the deadline for meeting reserve funding levels from three to five years after the initial reserve study and mandates that governing bodies develop a specific funding plan. Senate Bill 63 authorizes governing bodies to determine financial hardship and reasonably adjust reserve funding requirements as needed. Additionally, it establishes a minimum cost threshold for reserve-related repairs or replacements and expands reserve funding authorizations to cover other essential or critical purposes.
A key concern raised by constituents was whether repairs or replacements could be deducted from the reserve funding total, as the bill does not clarify this. I requested an Attorney General’s Opinion on the matter, and the Assistant AG responded:
“In my view, SB 63 does allow repair or replacement expenses for items that are identified in a reserve study to be deducted from the total reserve amount (assuming the cost is within the amount identified in the reserve study for the repair or replacement), and once that reserve study item or expense has been fulfilled, the reserve amount (less the cost of that repair or replacement item) remains valid, assuming the remaining reserves are sufficient to meet the other remaining anticipated expenses identified in the reserve study.
The amendments to the bill also allow for reserves to be used for purposes other than those specified in the funding plan, if the funds are repaid to the reserve fund within 5 years after the use of the funds. So in your example, even if the reserve study identified the cost of new windows at $20,000, but the actual cost was $30,000, in my view, the governing body may use $10,000 of the reserve to pay for the extra amount not contemplated in the reserve study, and the entity would still remain in compliance with its reserve requirements, assuming that amount is repaid to the reserve within 5 years.”
I voted in favor of this bill as I believe it addresses some issues from the 2022 law; however, I strongly believe my bill is the better solution and will continue advocating for its passage. Senate Bill 787 offers greater flexibility by extending the reserve study interval from five to ten years, adjusting funding requirements to support fixed-income residents, and limiting reserve studies to repairs exceeding $10,000.
Additionally, Senate Bill 787 includes repair cost deductions, the inclusion of utility and water lines in reserve studies, and the involvement of a broader range of licensed professionals to ensure more accurate cost assessments.
I would like to thank all the community associations, HOAs, and individuals who have reached out to my office to express their support for Senate Bill 787, as well as those who have sent emails, made phone calls, and testified. The bill is currently in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and is still awaiting a vote.
BALTIMORE SUN: Spiking condo fees in Maryland stir confusion, calls for change in state law
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Senate Bill 107 - Evidence - Interception of Oral Communications - Fair Housing Testing passed the Senate (28-18) and has moved to the House of Delegates for consideration. Senate Bill 107 allows Fair Housing Testers to lawfully intercept and record oral communication as evidence to enforce federal, state, and local fair housing laws. The bill introduces a new category within Maryland’s two-party consent rule, raising concerns about recording without permission during fair housing testing.
I opposed this bill because it creates an exception to the two-party consent rule for fair housing testing while not allowing domestic abuse victims to record incidents without violating the rule or facing felony charges.
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Senate Bill 327 - Affordable Housing Payment In Lieu of Taxes Expansion Act passed the Senate (34-13) and has moved to the House of Delegates. Senate Bill 327 allows county governments to exempt rental housing properties from county property taxes if the owner designates at least 25% of the units as affordable housing and enters into a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for a minimum of 15 years.
I opposed this bill because it could lead to landlords prioritizing the most profitable units, leaving fewer affordable options. Additionally, it may give landlords a financial advantage over others, discourage investment in non-exempt properties, and create a bias toward developers seeking tax breaks, potentially resulting in unintended consequences.
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Safety & Criminal Offenses:
Senate Bill 7 - Department of Transportation – Human Trafficking Awareness, Training, and Response (See Someone, Save Someone Act) unanimously passed the Senate and has moved to the House of Delegates for consideration. This bill requires the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to develop a required training program on identifying and reporting suspected human trafficking for its employees, including contractors, as well as establish a reporting procedure, and implement a prevention policy. MDOT must also promote public service announcements with safety information for trafficking victims.
Senate Bill 360 - Revenge Porn - Civil Action and Criminal Offense unanimously passed the Senate and has moved to the House of Delegates for consideration. Senate Bill 360 allows a person to file a civil defamation lawsuit against someone who distributes a computer-generated image that closely resembles them in a sexual or intimate context. It also expands the state’s revenge porn law to include the distribution of computer-generated images that show a person’s intimate parts or sexual activity without consent.
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Senate Bill 181 - Correctional Services - Geriatric and Medical Parole passed the Senate (36-10) and has moved to the House of Delegates for consideration. This bill would alter the parole structure to allow incarcerated criminals to be released on medical parole or be eligible for early parole if over the age of 60 and have served at least 15 years of their sentence.
As I’ve stated in previous e-blasts, I believe those who commit heinous crimes should serve their full prison sentences as justice for their victims; people who were unfairly denied the comfort and security that these criminals now seek. I opposed this bill because the privilege of growing old with loved ones should not be granted to those who have taken that opportunity away from their victims.
Senate Bill 432 - Criminal Records – Expungement and Maryland Judiciary Case Search (Expungement Reform Act of 2025) passed the Senate (36-11) and has moved to the House of Delegates for consideration. This bill builds on the governor’s previous executive clemency order, which pardoned 175,000 Maryland convictions related to cannabis possession. It allows individuals who have completed their sentence and paid any restitution to be eligible for expungement. The bill also expands the list of expungable offenses to include:
- Driving without a license
- Using a stolen credit card
- Issuing or cashing a bad check
Senate Bill 432 expands expungement eligibility for related charges, removes convictions, including cannabis-related offenses, from the judiciary case search database, and eliminates records of offenses pardoned by the governor.
| | Business-to-Business Tax Hearing: | | |
On Wednesday, the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1045 – Sales and Use Tax – Taxable Business Services – Alterations, a proposed tax increase that has sparked widespread concern among Maryland business owners. Hundreds have voiced opposition, warning that higher costs will threaten their ability to survive in an already high-tax, high-fee business environment.
My office has been inundated with calls and emails from business owners who have invested their life savings—and, in many cases, their homes—into building their businesses and supporting their employees. How is Maryland honoring their sacrifice when we continue to pass policies that make it harder for them to survive? This proposal places another burden on Maryland-owned businesses. It may raise revenue for one year, but it has the potential to adversely affect Maryland’s economy. I can’t support this tax, because it would be harmful to Maryland business and consumers. One particularly harmful aspect of this legislation is the 2.5% tax on business-to-business sales, which will significantly increase operational costs and threaten the survival of many small businesses. For industries like grocery stores, where profit margins are often just 1-3%, this tax could mean the difference between staying open and shutting down.
Business owners offered compelling testimony, with some raising concerns regarding maintaining a proper staff while others expressed concerns for their business’ future in Maryland. The Maryland Retailers Alliance discussed the razor thin margins retailers operate on, referring to the Business-to-Business tax as an “existential threat,” that will hurt businesses and Maryland families.
I firmly believe that Maryland’s financial stability depends on fostering a business-friendly environment. A balanced budget requires keeping businesses in Maryland and ensuring employment opportunities instead of imposing additional burdens we should focus on policies that encourage growth, job creation, and economic stability.
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This week, energy executives and the Public Service Commission (PSC) testified in a Joint Committee Hearing held by the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and the House of Delegates’ Economic Matters Committee. When significant statewide issues arise, such as the rising cost of energy, joint briefings are many times scheduled to allow multiple committees to question key stakeholders in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
Senators and Delegates questioned energy executives from Baltimore Gas & Electric, Delmarva, Washington Gas & Light, SMECO, and Potomac Edison and the Public Service Commission (PSC) on the rising cost of utilities and the effectiveness of programs such as STRIDE, Multi-Year Rate Plans, and EmPOWER. Images have been added from Office of the People's Counsel, who has been a valuable resource for information this year. See Key Findings from 2024 Reporting Projecting until 2026.
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Marylanders faced sharp energy bill increases in 2024 from Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) and Delmarva Power, subsidiaries of Exelon. BGE’s Vice President of Governmental and External Affairs, Charles Washington, largely attributed the increased energy costs to January’s extreme cold, citing record-high energy demand.
A representative from Southern Maryland Electric Co-Op (SMECO) reported that on January 23, SMECO’s energy use peaked at 1 gigawatt (136 megawatts)—breaking the previous record set on January 7 at 110 megawatts. The executive also highlighted soaring material costs, noting that substation breakers, priced at $36,000 in 2021, now cost $80,000—an increase of 125%. This provided us with the most tangible weather-related data point regarding the energy cost increase in January.
Delmarva's representative stated that 30,000 customers have "taken advantage of" extended payment plans for Exelon subsidiaries. This isn't a sign of financial flexibility, it's a sign that our citizens are going into debt just to afford basic necessities, highlighting what is, at best, an unsustainable business model.
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Rising Distribution Costs Under STRIDE
STRIDE was enacted over a decade ago to accelerate the replacement of aging gas infrastructure for safety purposes. Since then, BGE has replaced over 300 miles of outdated pipelines, claiming reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of 14,700 Maryland jobs. However, the program has also led to aggressive cost recovery measures and skyrocketing Multi-Year Rate Plan increases—far beyond what was originally discussed when the bill was passed. The Public Service Commission (PSC) has taken STRIDE much further than expected, becoming far more aggressive in its approach.
BGE’s distribution charges have surged 50% since 2020, now at $0.90 per therm—more than double Washington Gas’s $0.41-$0.46 per therm. While Washington Gas has worked with the PSC to balance pipeline safety with affordability, BGE justified its sharp increases with a single word: “Geography.” The PSC acknowledged concerns over excessive earnings but has yet to rein in BGE’s aggressive rate hikes.
Meanwhile, Exelon continues to report billions in profits, with executives enjoying perks such as an $11 million salary package, an $8 million private jet, and personal allowances of $200,000 per year. Who is funding this luxury—investors, taxpayers, or struggling utility customers?
Most alarming is that this is only the beginning. According to projections, rates won’t begin to decline until 2050, with full relief not arriving until 2098. Many of us stand by the pledge of “our Lives and Fortunes” for freedom—not to bankroll unchecked utility profits. It's time to put an end to STRIDE's financial drain.
| BGE & Delmarva both have a Multi-Year Rate Plan in place. You can see that the plans in place go far beyond the rate of inflation. SMECO, Washington Gas & Potomac Edison do not have Multi-Year Rate Plans in place. | | |
Rising EmPOWER Maryland Fee:
The EmPOWER Maryland program remained a flashpoint for debate. While utilities praised its cost-saving initiatives, many consumers were frustrated by charges as high as $78 appearing on their January bills. Exelon has previously described EmPOWER as a “pass-through cost,” yet a March 2025 investor presentation, identified it as a “discreet tracker and recovery mechanism,” causing much confusion.
This is yet another example of the state enabling taxes and fees. At some point, Marylanders will be financially stretched too thin, and we are quickly reaching that point. I urge reconsideration of EmPOWER, either by scaling it back or finding an alternative funding source.
It's also important to note that not every company is charging the same EmPOWER fee.
Why has my EmPOWER surcharge gone up - OPC Fact Sheet - 042024.pdf
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Maryland Air National Guard,
Resolution for Best Warrior Competition:
"I’m honored to be a senator, but I am proud to be a member of the Maryland Air National Guard." - a quote from my Senate Floor introduction.
Maryland General Assembly's Senate Veterans Caucus commemorated five members of Maryland Air National Guard on Tuesday, March 11, with a Senate Resolution for demonstrating high achievement and core Airforce values. This comes after each member's success in the Best Warrior Competition.
These men and women have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication, and I congratulate them on their outstanding achievement in the Best Warrior Competition.
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IN THE DISTRICT:
Legislative District 7 Baltimore & Harford Counties
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Baltimore County Commission for Women Seeks Nominees for
Women of the Year Awards
Categories include:
Woman of the Year
Young Woman of the Year
Woman Entrepeneur of the Year
Woman Making a Difference
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Senior Day at Camden Yards | |
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Game time: 1:05pm
Come out and cheer on the Baltimore Orioles!
Register by Monday, March 24 to reserve your $16 Terrace Box Right Field Seat Tickets.
Click Here for Tickets: Senior Day at Camden Yards
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Student Representative for the Board of Trustees!
Harford County Public Library (HCPL) Board of Trustees is seeking a Student Liaison. This is a great opportunity for one student to gather leadership experience, serve on a governing board, participate in discussions and activities and provide valuable input regarding services for the community and teens!
The service year begins on July 1, 2025. Candidates must be residents of Harford County and the deadline to submit an application and student essay is March 31, 2025.
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Bush Declaration 250 Year Celebration:
March 21-23, 2025
The Bush Declaration was signed on March 22, 1775 by the Harford Committee, stating: "We, the Committee of Harford County, having most seriously and maturely considered the Resolves & Association of the Continental Congress and the Resolves of the Provential (sic) Convention, do most heartily approve of the same, and as we esteem ourselves in a more particular manner, entrusted by our Constituents to see them Carried into Execution we do most Solemnly pledge ourselves to Each Other and to Our Country and engage ourselves by every tie held sacred among Mankind. To perform the Same at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes."
Harford County celebrates the Bush Declaration's 250th anniversary
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Descendents of the Signers- Meet & Greet: Friday, March 21, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Liriodendron Mansion, 502 W. Gordon St., Bel Air
The Bush Declaration Celebration: Saturday, March 22, 9:30 - 11:00 AM. Bel Air Armory, 37 N. Main St. Bel Air
Passport to History- Site Visits: Saturday March 22, 2025 - 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Sunday March 23, 2025 - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hereditary Order of the Signers of the Bush Declaration Annual Weekend: Sunday, March 23, 2025 - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Annual Dinner
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Senatorial Scholarship
My 2025 7th Legislative District Senatorial Scholarship is NOW OPEN! Students are eligible to apply who are preparing to attend, or already attending an undergraduate, graduate or professional program.
Confirm you live in Legislative District 7, by visiting: Maryland General Assembly's Website. Fill out the FAFSA Form.
To apply, please visit: My Scholarship Portal
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District 7 Night in Annapolis!
Monday, March 24, 2025
6:00pm-8:00pm
11 Bladen Street Miller Senate Office
Building East I & II
Annapolis, MD 21401
I look forward to seeing you in Annapolis! This event is open to the public and free for all! Refreshments to be served.
RSVP Requested: jb.jennings@senate.state.md.us
Google Form
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As always, thank you for taking the time to read today's Annapolis Update and please stay tuned for future updates, especially as this Legislative Session becomes increasing more involved.
Sincerely,
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Senator J.B. Jennings
323 James Senate Office Building
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
jb.jennings@senate.state.md.us
(410) 841-3706
By Authority: Friends of J.B. Jennings, Lauren Fowler, Treasurer
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