March 20, 2020

Session Adjourns Early Amidst Health Worries

The 2020 General Assembly came to a halt after only 71 days, as legislators responded to public concerns about group meetings and the spread of the coronavirus. The legislature focused on “priority legislation” in its waning days, and adjourned sine die on Wednesday, March 18. Conduit Street this week has coverage of major legislation – stay tuned next week for a thorough wrap-up of all the county issues, and their final disposition in this most unusual session.

Now What? | Kirwan Final Bill | Podcast

Session Wrapped Up Wednesday, Re-convenes in Late May Comptroller Urges $500 Million in Small Business Relief From State’s Rainy Day Fund Burdensome Ban the Box Legislation Stalls in Committee Governor Hogan Postpones Presidential Primary Election Amid Coronavirus Epidemic

Congress Introduces Funding Bills for Education During Crisis U.S. House Approves Second Legislative Package to Address COVID-19 Crisis U.S. Census Bureau to Suspend Field Operations Until April 1 NACo Calls on Congress to Send Coronavirus Resources Directly to Counties

MD, VA, District Leaders Call for President to Prioritize Capital Region’s COVID-19 Testing Sites Tracking State Responses to Coronavirus Comptroller Announces Tax Payment Deadline Extension Open Meetings Act Questions Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Bill to Boost Disparity Grant Program Clears General Assembly Maryland Receives SBA Designation for Low-Interest Loans During COVID-19 Crisis General Assembly Passes County Tax Fairness Act General Assembly Approves Bill That Could Transform Maryland’s Budget Process

The Final “Enrolled” Kirwan Blueprint Bill – Printed, and Heading to the Governor Kirwan Blueprint Bill Heads to Governor, With a “Trigger” Provision County Supported Library Bill Heads to the Governor COVID Impacts on Standardized Testing

MACo COVID-19 Resource Page

Bill Promoting Recycling Market Development Passes House Modest Homes Act Passes House With Amendments Bill Allowing Expanded Use of Bay Restoration Fund Passes Legislature Nevada Adopts Energy Storage Target

Webinar: COVID-19 and Policymakers in Local Governments Maryland Health Connection Opens Special Enrollment Amid State Emergency General Assembly Passes Bill to Provide Proper Oversight of 9-1-1 Fees UMMS Expert Posts Thread Debunking COVID-19 Myths

Counties Share: Community Resources During Coronavirus Shutdown  County Leaders Urge Use of Schools For Essential Staff Childcare Services General Assembly Grants Counties Flexibility to Incentivize High Tech Investment LGIT Seeks Trust Counsel with RFP

Conduit Street Podcast Corner:

Conduit Street Podcast: Abrupt Ending, Awareness Everywhere

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss the latest news and notes from Annapolis, including a recap of the final days of an abridged session of the Maryland General Assembly; a rundown of some significant bills that passed before lawmakers adjourned early for the first time since the Civil War due to concerns over the COVID-19 epidemic, and a look at how the coronavirus is wreaking havoc on elections, budgets, and other essential state and local functions/services.

Listen to any Conduit Street Podcast Episode: www.mdcounties.org/Podcast

Counties In Action

Baltimore Baltimore County Creates Map to Find Restaurants Offering Pick-up/Delivery During COVID-19 Shutdown

Charles Charles County Shares Strategies to Cope with COVID-19 Anxiety

Garrett Garrett County Public Schools Offering Free Home Delivery of Food for K-12 Students

Corporate Partner Corner

Comcast is Offering Free Access to Xfinity Wifi Hotspots During the COVID-19 Emergency

MACo's Gold Corporate Partner Comcast, is offering access to their Xfinity hotpots to "anyone who needs them for free during the COVID-19 national emergency, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers."

For more information on Comcast and their services, visit their website.

MACo Corporate Partner Program Details

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