January 30, 2019
Update #1 - Welcome To The Session!
January 30, 2019

Dear MNLGA members:

It’s that time of year again; all bets are off when the General Assembly is in session. Sometimes it appears as if there is little rhyme and reason to proposed legislation put forth by our elected officials. And sometimes the legislation if very purposeful and well-intended.  

By now, I believe most members are aware that the MNLGA is part of MaGIC (Maryland Green Industry Council). MaGIC was formed in 2002 to serve as the legislative and regulatory voice for Maryland’s Green Industry. MaGIC members include the MNLGA, MD Arborist Assoc, FALCAN, MAGI, and LCA. MaGIC contracts with Thompson Ag Associates to provide executive management and American Joe Miedusiewski provides us lobbying advice and service through legal firm Nemphos Braue. 

For the duration of the General Assembly, which runs from January 9th through April 8th, I will keep you abreast of bills that MaGIC and the MNLGA are following. I will often ask for your feedback and request quick turnaround on your comments and opinion. I will also keep you abreast of legislative action on the bills we follow. MaGIC’s focus is on bills that are Green Industry-specific. Hence, we do not follow all business-related bills.  

Up front, thank you for your time and feedback, in helping craft MNLGA/MaGIC response to 2019 legislation. If you ever have questions or comments, please contact me at 410-823-8684.  

Thank you,

Vanessa A. Finney
MNLGA, Executive Director
410-823-868
Actively Following - HB 275 and SB 270
Right out of the gate, HB 275 and SB 270 (identical bills) pick up after last year’s failed attempt to ban the use of chlorpyrifos (perhaps better known in the industry under the name Dursban), including insecticides containing chlorpyrifos and seeds treated with chlorpyrifos effective January 1, 2020. Please let me know if your business has reliance on this chlorpyrifos and your thoughts on the use of chlorpyrifos. Please provide back-up to your response; we have to have examples of how passage of the bill would be detrimental to your business in order to draft purposeful response to the bill. You may e-mail me directly at [email protected].  As of right now, no hearing dates have been scheduled. 
For Your Information: HB 166 and SB 280
Minimum Wage – SB280 and HB 166 These bills seek to raise the minimum wage from $10.10 an hour to $11.00 an hour effective July 1, 2019, with an annual increase of $1.00 each July 1, through 2023.  

  • Based on member surveys conducted when this legislation was introduced in the past, the MNLGA, as an organization does not have consensus on either favoring or opposing this legislation. Because the membership does not have a consensus, MNLGA is not able to take a position. Members who wish to weigh in on this legislation are encouraged to contact their legislators. You may look up your elected officials via this link.
MNLGA  | PO Box 726 Brooklandville, MD 21022
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