Annapolis Update: 
Sunday, March 1, 2026

Dear Marylanders, 

This was an important week in Annapolis. The candidate filing deadline for the 2026 Gubernatorial Election closed on Tuesday, February 24 at 9:00 p.m., and I am proud to share that I am running for re-election to the Maryland State Senate.

I am also pleased that my colleague, Senator Steve Hershey, will be returning to the State Senate as well. While I was encouraged to see Senator Hershey consider a run for Governor- and have no doubt that he would have made an outstanding Governor - our Republican team is stronger with his continued presence and steady leadership in the Senate. His experience and resolve will help guide our caucus effectively over the next four years.

Throughout the time he was considering a gubernatorial campaign, I remained in close communication with Steve and was deeply honored to have been included on his short list for Lieutenant Governor, should he have decided to move forward.

This week in Annapolis, I had the opportunity to see one of my former Chairmen, Mac Middleton. I've had the honor of serving under several great Chairmen, but Mac was excellent and truly stood out as one of the best. As always, it was great to see him, and I genuinely miss serving alongside him in the Senate.

Last week, at the request of the Baltimore City Inspector General, I drafted urgent legislation to strengthen accountability and transparency. Once the bill was ready, my legislative director, Rachel, tracked down co-sponsor signatures while I was in Committee and ensured this bill was dropped in a timely manner.

I am proud of this bipartisan effort, supported by members of our Republican Caucus and by my neighbor to the south-west, Senator Carl Jackson. When it comes to protecting taxpayers and ensuring oversight, accountability should never be partisan.

Mark your calendar for District 7 Night in the Senate. I'll be hosting anyone who would like to join me in Annapolis on March 30, 2026. More details to come. As usual, make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom, and click "view entire message," so that you can see everything.

Education:

Senate Bill 311 - Education - The Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Revisions was recently heard in the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee. If passed, this bill would take effect on July 1, 2026, giving school systems additional time to prepare before implementation.

Senate Bill 311 proposes a series of targeted changes to existing Blueprint law. These revisions adjust definitions, timelines, accountability measures, eligibility requirements, and aspects of program structure and funding, while maintaining the overall framework of the Blueprint.

The bill extends compensatory education and low-income funding for an additional year. In doing so, it removes current restrictions on how Concentration of Poverty Grant funds may be used, preventing those limits from taking effect after Fiscal Year 2027. Beginning in 2028, local school systems would also gain increased flexibility in how per-pupil grants are allocated, including allowing funding for programs such as fine arts, which remain part of Maryland’s required curriculum.

Senate Bill 311 also modifies teacher certification policies by creating additional pathways to certification and delaying the requirement for teachers to earn National Board Certification before qualifying for the first administrator track (licensed principal) from July 1, 2029, to July 1, 2034.

While coordination efforts within Career and Technical Education (CTE) are strengthened, requiring collaboration between the CTE Committee and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board to develop unified occupational standards and career pathways, the overall direction of the bill raises concerns. Relaxed spending restrictions, delayed accountability benchmarks, and adjustments to certification standards may increase long-term costs without guaranteeing improved student outcomes.

One particularly concerning provision repeals the requirement for annual reporting on statewide technology and digital access, effectively ending the Maryland State Department of Education’s collection of this data. Transparency and data collection are essential to measuring progress and identifying gaps.

From a fiscal perspective, Senate Bill 311 increases education spending by $228.4 million in Special Funds in FY2027 and shifts $236.1 million in costs from Special Funds to the General Fund in FY2028. This results in a net annual increase of approximately $310.8 million in FY2028. While projected cost increases decline in FY2029 due to the repeal of certain provisions, the long-term financial impact remains significant.

After consulting with education professionals, my team drafted an amendment to strengthen accountability by requiring local boards of education to establish clear mechanisms to ensure effective use of educator planning time. Under the Blueprint, planning time would expand to 40% of an educator’s workday.

However, there is currently no requirement for measurable goals, documentation, evaluation, or supervisory oversight tied to that time. Our amendment would ensure planning periods are purposeful, structured, and aligned with student achievement.

Blueprint policies should evolve as challenges arise and conditions change. At this critical juncture, our priority must remain student success. Supporting educators through clear expectations, strong oversight, and meaningful accountability is essential to achieving that goal.

Senate Bill 147 - Education - Agreements, Procurement Contracts, and Memoranda of Understanding - Reporting and Publication modifies provisions of the Maryland law related to the regulation and oversight of certain financial or administrative practices within State government. The bill clarifies reporting requirements and adjusts statutory language to improve consistency and compliance with existing fiscal controls. 

Senate Bill 170 - Task Force on Education Funding and Student Population Growth passed the Senate and has moved the House of Delegates for consideration. Senate Bill 170 makes important updates to state law to clarify agency responsibilities, strengthen reporting requirements, and improve oversight of how programs are administered. At a time when Maryland is facing a serious budget shortfall and increased scrutiny over agency performance, this legislation focuses on transparency, accountability, and responsible management of taxpayer dollars. 

Senate Bill 289 - Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program - Personnel and Per Pupil Grants - Eligible Uses creates statutory changes to Maryland laws relating to program administration and regulatory requirements within the affected department.

• Adjusts existing requirements governing how the program operates.
• Clarifies oversight and compliance standards.
• Modifies reporting or implementation procedures.
• Establishes timelines for implementation and enforcement.

The bill is intended to improve structure and administrative clarity within state government operations by identifying how funds are distributed, how oversight is conducted, and how agencies report compliance.

Senate Bill 381 - School Building Energy Usage - Monthly Report provides transparency to understand the needs and expenditures of each school.

Senate Bill 403 - Sales and Use Tax - Elementary or Secondary School Book Fairs - Exemption removes taxes on book fairs for elementary and secondary students. 

Senate Bill 592 - State Board of Education - Financial Literacy - Graduation Requirement requires a financial literacy course for students starting with the 2030 graduating class. 

I'm a proud co-sponsor of Senate Bill 903 - Education - Engagement Policies and School Compact (Maryland Public Education Parental Partnership Act) requires every county board of education in Maryland to adopt a parent and family engagement policy by the start for the 2027-2028 school year. This bill also directs Maryland public schools to develop a Parent-School Compact beginning in the 2028-2029 school year. These polices and compacts are intended to formalize expectations for how schools and families work together to support student success. The bill also tasks the Maryland state Department of Education with providing guidance and technical assistance to county boards and schools as they develop these documents.  

This bill is being heard next week, if you're interested in testifying, please follow these directions.

Spotlight:

Apprenticeship Maryland: A high-quality Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathway that lets students earn while they learn.

Through this initiative, eligible Maryland high school students can combine classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training, gaining real-world work experience while still in school. 

Students have the opportunity to:

• Work with local employers and mentors in meaningful career fields.

• Gain paid work experience alongside academic instruction.

• Earn credits toward graduation and industry-recognized credentials.

• Build skills that open doors to sustainable careers or further education after high school. 

This program is delivered statewide through partnerships with local school systems and employers- giving students exciting opportunities to grow their skills in fields ranging from STEM to traditional trades.

Customer Protection:

Senate Bill 789 - Vehicle Laws - Automotive Repair Facilities - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems builds on the bipartisan momentum behind the federal ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act by ensuring that Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are properly identified, repaired, and calibrated according to OEM and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards so Maryland drivers are not unknowingly operating vehicles with compromised safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking or Lane Keeping Assist.

As these technologies rapidly become standard in nearly all new vehicles, SB789 strengthens consumer transparency, clarifies insurance responsibilities, and reinforces that restoring a vehicle to pre-loss condition must include restoring its critical safety systems.

Supporters are strongly encouraged to sign up to testify on Monday, March 2nd, for the hearing scheduled on Wednesday, March 4th, your voice is essential to demonstrate broad support for protecting Maryland motorists and ensuring modern vehicle safety systems function as intended.

Energy Legislation:

Senate Bill 801 - Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - EmPOWER Energy Efficiency Programs, and Net Energy Metering is designed to address rising energy costs for Maryland ratepayers.

The bill requires the Governor to withdraw Maryland from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by January 1, 2027, and allows the State to rejoin once all other PJM states are operating under the same restrictions. It would also eliminate the surcharge that funds the EmPOWER energy efficiency program and adjust the compensation rate for eligible customer-generators who produce excess electricity under net energy metering.

This bill will beard before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on March 5 at 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in testifying for this bill, please follow these directions.

Senate Bill 584 - Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Transmission Lines - Notice to Landowners was heard in the Senate this week. Constituents from Harford and Baltimore Counties testified in strong support of Senate Bill 584 – Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity – Notification of Landowners. This common-sense legislation simply requires a public utility to provide direct notice to affected landowners when filing an application for a CPCN, including clear information about their right to intervene. During the hearing, my constituents shared troubling accounts of not being informed that they could formally intervene in the Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Project and fully participate in the evidentiary hearings. Intervention is critical, it ensures meaningful scrutiny by the very property owners whose homes, farms, and futures are directly impacted by these billion-dollar projects.

I was pleased to be joined by former Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti and Joanne Frederick, leader of Stop MPRP, in support of greater transparency and due process. Major transmission line projects are advancing across Maryland, and without clear, timely property owner notification, what happened to my constituents will continue to happen. The bill is cross-filed in the House by Delegate Chris Tomlinson, whose constituents have been directly affected by the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, which has threatened the use of eminent domain to take private property, including farmland. The House hearing will be held March 3 at 1:00 p.m. in the Environment and Transportation Committee.

Senate Bill 683 - Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Siting (Solar Siting and Preservation Credit Act of 2026) is legislation I was proud to co-sponsor with my friend and colleague, Senator Jason Gallion. The bill encourages solar development to focus first on brownfields and rooftop spaces, helping to promote renewable energy while preserving valuable farmland and open space. 

Senate Bill 706 - Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Alterations modifies the percentage of energy that must come from renewable sources in order to better align with current generation capacity and ensure achievable compliance requirements.

Developmental Disabilities Administration:

This week, my bill, Senate Bill 583 – Developmental Disabilities Administration – Self-Directed Services Manual – Public Comment, was heard before the Senate Finance Committee. The legislation would extend the timeline for Developmental Disabilities participants to review the manual and provide meaningful public comment. The bill received strong support, with more than a dozen witnesses sharing personal testimony and explaining why additional time and transparency are essential for the community.

On Friday, the Developmental Disabilities community also participated in the Developmental Disabilities Administration hearing before my Senate Health & Human Services Committee. After more than four hours of testimony, including heartfelt remarks from individuals receiving DD services and their families, it was clear how deeply these programs impact lives. We must protect the most vulnerable among us. We must work together to balance the budget responsibly while ensuring critical support remains in place.

My office remains ready to serve my constituents, should a need arise. Not sure if you reside in Legislative District 7? Check it out here: Members - Find My Representatives. Navigate to Look Up, and type in your address to see who represents your district and their legislation. As always, feel free to email me on legislation or any personal state-related issues that may arise. 

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Best regards,

Senator J.B. Jennings