News
May Legislative Update
The 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session concluded on April 8th, with 1053 of nearly 3000 bills and resolutions introduced reaching Governor Moore’s desk for approval. The second year of the legislature’s four-year term is typically very busy, and this year’s Session resulted in 30 percent more bills and resolutions introduced compared to last year. Governor held two bill signings in April and will continue to sign (or veto) legislation through the end of May.
Broadly speaking, this Session was dominated by a debate about shortfalls in both the State’s $63 billion operating budget and the State’s Transportation Trust Fund. Negotiations among Governor Moore and legislative leadership resulted in an additional $233 million to address transportation needs and provided additional revenue to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which along with spending reductions in the budget bill, erased the projected fiscal year 2027 shortfall. Additional action to address anticipated future shortfalls in both the State’s General Fund and Transportation Trust Fund are expected next year.
Other major issues this Session included juvenile justice reform, the availability of affordable housing, online consumer data privacy protections, and the State’s takeover of the Preakness Stakes and thoroughbred horse racing.
Below is a final status report on bills of interest to Maryland Works and the Preferred Provider community:
HB 60 – Rehabilitation Services – Disability – Definition. This bill, for purposes of identifying individuals eligible for rehabilitative services, alters the definition of “disability” to conform to related definitions more closely under federal rehabilitation acts. The bill was signed into law by Governor Moore and takes effect July 1st.
HB 1516 – Real Property Assessments – Notice of Change in Value or Classification – Time Period. This departmental bill extends the statutory deadline for fiscal year 2025 by which the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) must send out reassessment notices to property owners, thereby resolving the unmailed notice issue involving SDAT and the League for People with Disabilities. HB 1516 passed both chambers and as an emergency bill, took effect upon Governor Moore’s signature on April 25th.
SB 194 – State Procurement – Maryland Correctional Enterprises – Waiver Maryland Correctional Enterprises. This bill authorizes the Pricing and Selection Committee to grant a waiver if the price of supplies and services offered by Maryland Correctional Enterprises (MCE) is at least 10% above market rates. The bill passed both the Senate and House and is awaiting Governor Moore’s approval.
SB 420/HB 1151 State Procurement – Preferred Providers – Removal of Maryland Correctional Enterprises. This bill removes MCE from the Preferred Provider Program. The Senate bill did not pass, and the House bill has been withdrawn by the sponsor.
SB 486 Correctional Services – Maryland Correctional Enterprises Management Council – Report. This bill requires the MCE Management Council to research the number of private sector entities that offer goods and services also available from MCE, compare the cost of those goods and services, and review and comment on the potential benefits of the State utilizing private enterprises. SB 486 passed the Senate, but the House took no action on the bill.
SB 599/HB 509 Developmental Disabilities – Community Providers – Federal Participation for Local Funds. This bill requires the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to develop a process to receive federal financial participation for local governments who provide funding for community providers. MDH expressed concern that the bill could unfairly benefit local governments who have the resources to assist community providers. No action was taken on either bill.
SB 703/HB 877 – Board of Public Works – Transparency Dashboard. As amended, this bill requires the Comptroller to development an interactive and searchable procurement transparency dashboard with specific information related to Board of Public agendas, contract spending amounts, as well information related to State procurement preference programs. Both bills passed with identical amendments and are expected to be approved by Governor Moore.
SB 859/HB 1163 State Department of Education – Division of Rehabilitation Services – Funding. This bill authorizes the Governor to include a general fund appropriation to ensure the State match is met for federal funding for the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Both bills passed without amendment and have been signed by Governor Moore. The new law takes effect July 1st.