HB1106/SB921 increases Maryland’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirement to 25% by 2020.   This bill will reduce climate pollutants, clean up our air, and create jobs in the solar and wind industries. HB610/SB323 requires the reduction of greenhouse gasses by 40% from 2006 levels by 2030.  HB1328 restricts the sale of aftermarket wheel weights containing lead and mercury which are proven neurotoxins. HB211/SB198 was amended to regulate the use of neonicotinoid pesticides by the general public in an attempt to limit the exposure of bees to these possibly harmful insecticides.   HB1603/SB937 requires the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science to study and identify a science-based, sustainable harvest level for the state’s public oyster fishery.  HB462/SB383 increases the funding for Program Open Space, promising full funding by 2019.

HEALTH

HB1005/SB848 removes a co-payment requirement for contraceptives from most insurance company plans. HB1318/SB929 will help ensure that health insurance carriers have sufficient provider networks, including geographic accessibility, guaranteed average wait times for appointments, and provider-to-enrollee ratios for primary and specialty care providers, as well as accurate provider directories.  In response to the opioid overdose epidemic in Maryland, HB437/SB537 requires certain prescribers and all pharmacists to consult the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program before prescribing certain frequently abused prescription drugs.  This allows pharmacists to monitor the order history of a patient when dispensing opioids.

Noah’s Law, HB1342/SB945, was named after the Montgomery County police officer, Noah Leotta, who died after being hit by a drunk driver on Rockville Pike.  This bill requires all first-time DUI offenders to use an ignition interlock device before they can start their cars and increases penalties for anyone who refuses to participate in a breath test.  Criminal Justice Reform, HB1312/SB1005, is a comprehensive reform package that will focus prison beds on serious and violent offenders by: eliminating mandatory minimum sentences,  reducing penalties for drug possession offenses, diverting offenders with substance abuse disorders into treatment programs, and focusing harsh mandatory minimum penalties on high level drug dealers and kingpins.  HB155/SB278 amends the stalking definition to include conduct causing emotional distress.  HB409/SB564 increases the penalties for adults who supply alcohol to a minor to include up to 1 year in jail.  HB314/SB346 adds abuses for which an individual can seek a Peace Order, including misuse of social media, use of revenge porn, visual surveillance, and misuse of the telephone.

HB1113/SB663 prohibits the sale of any dog or cat in a public place except under certain circumstances which will help eliminate the sale of “puppy mill” animals. HB563/SB283 makes the possession of dog fighting equipment illegal.

HB1013/SB908, passed over the Governor’s veto, provides transparency in transportation funding. It requires the administration to create a scoring system that rates each proposed road, bridge, or transit project that costs more than $5 million.  This law spells out nine criteria on which each project would have to be judged.  If the administration does not pick the top project, it would have to explain why not. The bill does not spell out which projects can be approved, nor does it address how to eliminate projects. Although it establishes 9 measures, it is left to the administration to create how the scoring system would work, and how much weight to grant each of those nine categories.  In summary, the law only requires the governor to issue public justification for not picking a top ranking project.  This bill does not require that he pick it.

HB1003/SB481 mirrors federal law and prohibits discrimination by an employer based on gender identity and mandates equal pay for equal work.   The ABLE Program,HB431/SB355, creates a secure mechanism for funding expenses on behalf of beneficiaries with disabilities.  HB1378/SB1007 establishes a retirement saving program for the 1 million Marylanders who have no retirement savings.  It will ensure that businesses with payroll systems offer their employees payroll deductions or other retirement plans, and ends the $300 annual filing fee for businesses which offer such plans.

The operating budget SB190/HB150 is balanced and fiscally responsible.  The State has fully funded its pension obligation and is paying, at a minimum, an additional $75 million beyond what is mandated.  The $42.3 billion state budget includes no new taxes.  The budget leaves a $415 million unspent surplus for next year, and it stashes another $1 billion in a rainy-day fund.

All three major rating agencies once again affirmed the State’s “AAA” bond rating. Maryland has the distinction of being 1 of 11 states in the country to maintain a “AAA” bond rating. The rating agencies consistently cite the relative strength of Maryland’s economy, tradition of sound financial management, and adherence to our debt affordability guidelines.

The capital budget, SB191/HB151, funds building, construction, demolition, planning, renovation, conversion, replacement, and capital equipment for State facilities such as parks, hospitals, and public higher education institutions. Additionally, the budget funds local projects in every Maryland county, ranging from public schools to community health centers. This capital budget comes in under $995 million, the limit set by the governor for new general obligation debt.  In addition to the education funding, it includes $442 million for environmental initiatives, and $68 million for health and human services, including $27.5 million for the new Prince George’s Hospital

Senator Guy Guzzone
James Senate Office Building, Room 121
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis MD 21401 United States