March 20, 2022
Dear Friends -
Tomorrow, March 21, is one of the most significant benchmarks of the 2022 Maryland General Assembly: Crossover day. Since it's the deadline for passing bills in one chamber of the legislature to guarantee that they get consideration in the other, I have spent much of the last week (including Saturday) in numerous long sometimes collegial, sometimes contentious floor sessions with my colleagues discussing, debating, and deciding the fate of many House bills. As Speaker Adrienne Jones reminded us at the beginning of Thursday's floor session, “What happens on the floor of this house isn’t about you. It isn’t about me. It’s about the work of the people who elect us to represent them.” I assure you that is the viewpoint I have every day that I am in Annapolis. Below are highlights of the bills that passed last week. I expect that Monday will be another whirlwind day!
While we are busy with legislation, please remember that my office also is always here to help you. If we can ever be of any assistance, do not hesitate to reach out: (410) 841-3453 or Sara.Love@house.state.md.us.
Take care,
Sara
|
|
Week in Review: House Bills Moving Forward
Three more of my bills passed the House floor and are now in the Senate:
HB 259 Commercial Law - Consumer Protection - Biometric Data Privacy passed 99 - 31 on Saturday, and now is in the Senate. The bill establishes safeguards and boundaries around companies' collecting without our consent our biometric identifiers, unique biological data including fingerprints, face prints, and voiceprints. Not only is this a privacy issue, but also one of equity, since facial recognition misidentifies people of color more frequently than those who are white.
HB 653 Conservation Finance Act passed 134 - 5 on Wednesday, and now is in the Senate Budget and Taxation and Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committees. This bill incentivizes private investment in public environmental projects, enabling us to better reach our climate goals.
HB 834 On–Site Sewage Disposal Systems – Outreach and Education (Septic Awareness Act of 2022) passed 139 - 9 on Wednesday, and is now in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. Did you know 20% of all Marylanders are on septic? This bill requires MDE to establish SepticSmart Week in conjunction with the EPA's SepticSmart Week, and to use educational materials and other resources to promote community awareness regarding on-site sewage disposal systems. It also requires those selling residential real estate with an on-site sewage disposal system to direct the purchaser to the EPA website on septics. Proper maintenance of septic systems is good for everyone's health and good for the environment.
Other bills passed by the House include:
HB 335 Maryland Transportation Authority - E-ZPass - Disputes of Charges and Fees, sponsored by Delegate Linda Foley, passed the House unanimously on Wednesday, and is now in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. This bill extends the timeframe to dispute E-ZPass charges from 120 days to one year. Two additional toll backlog-related bills also passed unanimously on Wednesday and are now in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee: 1) HB 29 Vehicle Laws – Failure to Pay Video Toll – Penalties, sponsored by Delegate Al Carr, repealing the MDTA's ability to suspend vehicle registrations for failure to pay outstanding tolls and penalties, and 2) HB 38 Maryland Transportation Authority - Video Tolls - Collection allowing the MDTA to recall and waive any portion of debt from the Central Collections Unit (CCU), which imposes a 17% collection fee and can impact a driver's credit.
HB 1100 Child Care Providers and Employees - Bonuses, sponsored by Delegate Pam Queen, passed 105-34 and is now in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. To attract more workers to child care jobs and help with the daycare shortage, this bill would require the governor to include $16 million in the annual budget to offer retention and new-hire bonuses to child care workers on a first-come, first-served basis starting in fiscal year 2024.
In Other Legislative News...
Gas Tax Suspension. On Friday, Governor Larry Hogan signed emergency bipartisan legislation (SB1010/HB1486), which passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House, to immediately suspend the state of Maryland’s gas tax for 30 days. The suspension will continue through 11:59 p.m. on April 16.
Time to Care Act of 2020. On Friday, the Senate passed SB 275, Labor and Employment – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2022) 31 - 15, and it is now in the House Economic Matters Committee. This bill enables Marylanders to receive up to 24 weeks of paid leave per year for the birth, adoption, or guardianship of a child and to care for themselves after a serious health issue. On Saturday, the House Economic Matters Committee passed their version of the bill, HB 8, out of committee and on to the House floor for debate. This bill differs from the Senate version in that it establishes a commission to work out specifics of a statewide paid family leave program.
|
|
Maryland Primary Election Delayed. The Maryland Court of Appeals on Tuesday ordered that the state move its primary election from June 28 to July 19 because of challenges to a new legislative district map. The candidate filing deadline, which already was extended from February 22 to March 22, has been moved back again to April 15.
Election Workers Needed. The Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking registered voters to serve as election workers at polling places for the Gubernatorial Primary Election now on July 19. Individuals are needed to serve in these stipended volunteer positions throughout the County, particularly in the areas of Bethesda, Cabin John, Chevy Chase, Darnestown, Potomac and Rockville. Students 16 or older are eligible to register to vote and serve as election workers, and may choose to earn up to 25 Student Service Learning (SSL) credits in lieu of the stipend. Training is required and will be provided to all election workers. Voters who are fluent in both English and Spanish are especially needed. To apply, text SERVE to 77788 or go to the website at www.777vote.org.
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Update. MSDE has recently launched two grants to support prekindergarten providers: State Prekindergarten Grants and Prekindergarten Expansion Grants. The Expansion Grants are for private childcare providers and Local Education Agencies and will allot $13,000 to each eligible child. Expansion grants broaden access to high-quality, full-day prekindergarten for three and four-year old children from homes in which English is not the primary spoken language, from families at or below 300% Federal Poverty Level (FPL), defined as $79,500 for a family of four in 2022 and for students with disabilities and homeless students.The deadline to submit applications is 6 p.m. on April 8, 2022. Please share this update with prekindergarten providers, and go here for more information.
Honoring Nancy Kopp. D-16 resident, Former State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, is the recipient of this year's Speaker's Medallion in the Maryland House of Delegates and was honored last week on the House Floor. Nancy just concluded 19 years of service as Treasurer, following 27 years representing D-16 in the House of Delegates. She will also be honored at the MD Dems Women's History lunch on March 28. For more information, email here.
Community Conversation with Councilmember Friedson. Join District 1 County Councilmember Andrew Friedson in person on Wednesday, April 6, 7pm - 8:30pm, Bethesda Regional Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814) for a Community Conversation.This is an opportunity to share your concerns, and discuss important local issues specific to District 1 (Bethesda, Cabin John, Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights, Garrett Park, Glen Echo, Kensington, Martin's Additions, North Bethesda, Potomac, Poolesville, and Somerset). Questions? Call 240-777-7828 or email Councilmember.Friedson@montgomerycountymd.gov. Click here for parking and public transportation information.
More Ideas on Donations for Ukraine. According to Laurie Styron, Executive Director of Charity Watch, a concern she has is that some charities, even financially efficient ones, may not have a clear idea of how they intend to spend donations, particularly those nonprofits without any real-world experience in operating in a crisis situation, disaster, or conflict zone. Among her top picks right now: Doctors Without Borders, which shared with her in incredibly specific terms what they’re currently doing in Ukraine and the surrounding countries for the refugees fleeing the conflict, CARE USA, and Direct Relief. There are many other worthy organizations engaged in helping Ukranians in multiple ways, including D-16 resident José Andrés who is on the ground in Poland with his nonprofit World Central Kitchen feeding Ukrainian refugees.
County At-home COVID PCR Test Kits. Montgomery County is now providing residents with at-home PCR Test Kits at multiple Recreation & Health Centers while supplies last. Tests can be picked up, self-administered at home, and then returned to marked drop boxes at the pick-up locations. Residents should bring proof of residency (driver’s license or bill that shows you are a resident of Montgomery County). Test kits are registered by the individual taking the test and emailed results will be available within 48 hours of test kit return. In-person testing is still available throughout the County. And, as always, you can check COVID case statistics and vaccination rates on the Montgomery County Data Dashboard.
“A Letter to My Father/Father Figure” Short Film/Video Festival Submissions Due Soon. Encourage students, 1st grade through college undergraduates, to express themselves and their perspectives on positive relationships with their dads or father figures by creating and submitting short films or videos for the inaugural KIDS FIRST! Daddying Film Festival (KFDFF), which takes place June 13-20, the week leading up to and through Father’s Day weekend. Short-film and video submissions are due by April 15, 2022, and all STUDENT submissions are FREE. Find details here.
Public Service Reminder
Maryland Pedestrian Safety Laws. Each year, thousands of pedestrians in Maryland are struck by cars and injured or killed. In an effort to reduce these crashes, Maryland has specific safety laws that apply to both drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrian safety laws usually carry hefty fines up to $500 per violation, plus points for drivers who violate them.
Laws for Drivers
- Drivers must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Do not pass another vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian.
- Always yield right-of-way to pedestrians when turning at a green signal.
- Never block the crosswalk.
- Yield to pedestrians when turning on red.
- Exercise due care with regard to pedestrians.
Laws for Pedestrians
- Always obey red traffic signals.
- You must obey the pedestrian crossing signal.
- When not at a crosswalk, always give cars the right of way.
- You must use marked crosswalks when available.
- Never cross intersections diagonally.
- Always use sidewalks if they are available.
Find more information about these laws (some details may surprise you!), and the penalty that breaking each carries for a driver or pedestrian here.
|
|
Calendar
-
Monday, March 21, Opposite Chamber Bill Crossover Date in the MGA: Each Chamber (Senate and House) must send the other Chamber those bills it intends to pass favorably
-
Thursday, March 24, 8:00pm, Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coalition will hold its next all members meeting via Zoom. The link will be sent to members a few days before the meeting. You can learn more about the group and how to join here.
-
Wednesday, March 30, 7:30am, Bethesda Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Robert Bass and Max Uy, candidates for Sheriff. Email keller.johnw@gmail.com for the zoom link.
-
Monday, April 4, Budget Bill Must Be Passed by both Chambers of the MGA. (Passing the Budget Bill each session is the only constitutional requirement for the MGA!)
-
Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 - 8:30pm, In Person Community Conversation with Councilmember Andrew Friedson, Bethesda Regional Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814) for a Community Conversation
-
Monday, April 11, MGA 90th Day — ADJOURNMENT “SINE DIE”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
