Passing the Budget

Last week, the House of Delegates, State Senate, and Governor all agreed to a budget deal that includes additional funds for our state operating and capital budget. These funds will go not only to finance shared legislative priorities but also for targeted tax relief. The tax relief agreement includes the following provisions for fiscal years 2023 through 2027:
  • Tax Relief For Retirees: Marylanders 65 and older filing tax returns as individuals earning up to $100,000 per year in retirement income, and married couples filing jointly and earning up to $150,000 in retirement income will be eligible for an income tax credit of between $1,000 to $1,750 per year. As a result, 80% of Maryland's retirees will receive substantial relief or pay no state income taxes at all. 
  • The Work Opportunity Tax Credit: This credit incentivizes employers and businesses to hire and retain workers from underserved communities that have faced significant barriers to employment.
  • Family Budget Boosters: These sales tax exemptions are for child care products such as diapers, car seats, and baby bottles and critical health products such as dental-hygiene products, diabetic-care products, and medical devices. 
The agreement went before the House and Senate late last week, and lawmakers have until April 4 to finalize the budget for the 2023 fiscal year.

Revisiting Redistricting

On March 25, Judge Lynne A. Battaglia blocked Maryland’s new congressional map passed late last year. Judge Battaglia ordered the General Assembly to draw a new plan, which it did, and the House and Senate gave final approval to the redrawn congressional map as of Wednesday afternoon. (You can view the map here.) Because Judge Battaglia used criteria that had not been used before in congressional redistricting, the Office of the Attorney General filed a notice to appeal the decision. The enactment of the congressional map depends on the outcome of the appeal. Last week, a trial over Maryland’s new state legislative map began as well.

Sending Legislation to the Governor

The following bills including are a selection of those that passed the Maryland General Assembly and were presented to the Governor last week. This time frame allows the legislature to override a possible veto before the end of the legislative session on April 11.
  • SB 528 Climate Solutions Now Act, setting aggressive goals for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and outlining plans to achieve these goals.
  • HB 649 Zombie Permits, requiring greater Maryland Department of the Environment oversight of facilities operating under “zombie permits,” water discharge permits that have been administratively extended beyond their original expiration without inspection.
  • HB 740 State Retirement and Pension System - Investment Climate Risk, declaring that climate risk is investment risk and safeguarding Maryland State pensions.
  • SB 275 Time to Care Act, creating a paid family and medical leave program for workers who need to take time off for a serious illness, caregiving, welcoming a new child, or dealing with a military deployment.
  • HB 1 Constitutional Amendment - Cannabis - Adult Use and Possession, placing a referendum on the November ballot for a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational cannabis for adult use.
  • HB 837 Cannabis Reform, outlining cannabis legalization provisions, if the cannabis referendum passes.
  •  HB 937 Abortion Care Access Act, expanding who can perform abortions in the state, establishing a clinical training program and ensuring poor women have access to abortion care.
  • SB 387 Untraceable Firearms, banning ghost guns and closing a loophole in our gun laws.
  • HB 1021 Licensed Firearms Dealers – Security Requirements, stopping “smash-and-grab” robberies of gun stores.
  • SB 53 Child Interrogation Protection Act, protecting minors from self-incrimination during encounters with law enforcement.
  • SB 691 Juvenile Justice Reform, generally prohibiting kids under 13 from facing criminal charges (excepting certain violent crimes).
  • SB 541 Great Maryland Outdoors Act, investing in Maryland state parks 
  • SB 384 Stay of Eviction Proceeding for Rental Assistance Determination, allowing tenants to ask a judge to temporarily delay an eviction if they have applied for rental assistance.

The General Assembly will send additional bills to the Governor next week. I'll include a comprehensive overview of what happened with major legislation in my end-of-session update!