Legislative Status Report: Sine Die

 

The General Assembly adjourned sine die at midnight on Monday, 4/10, closing the 2017 Legislative Session with final day passage of a flurry of legislation. Advocates in the nonprofit community scored many significant successes during the session. Read below for updated status on legislation we have been tracking.

Legislation On Maryland Nonprofits’ Policy Priorities

1. Earned Income Tax Credit – Individuals Without Qualifying Children – Expansion

   HB 2 & SB14 – Legislation failed primarily because of cost – estimated at app. $70 million per year.

2. HOME Act of 2017

   HB 172 has passed the House with substantial amendments, but never received a vote in Senate Judicial Proceedings; cross-file SB 728 similarly failed in JPR.

3. Repeal of MTA Farebox Recovery Requirement 

   HB 271 & SB 484 were both passed and no longer subject to veto.

4. Procurement Reform Package (Commission/Administration Bills and House Initiative)

   This package of bills consists of HB 390, 426 and 433, and 1021, and Senate Bills 309, 310 and 311, and all have been enacted. 

5. Behavioral Health Community Providers – Keep the Door Open Act

   The provisions of HB 580 and SB 476 became part of the HOPE Act  (HB 1329 and SB 967) by amendment.  The HOPE Act is a bill by legislative leadership that was enacted to address pressing heroin and opioid addiction and treatments needs.

6. Public Health – Essential Off-Patent or Generic Drugs – Price Gouging – Prohibition

   HB 631 was enacted, SB415 remained in committee.

7. Public Health – Expensive Drugs – Manufacturer Reporting and Drug Price Transparency Advisory Committee

   HB 666 and SB 437 had no action.

8. Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act

   SB 571 passed and is no longer subject to veto.  The legislation creates a Commission to monitor and develop Maryland’s response to any federal actions damaging the ACA or
   
   Medicaid,
   and to also issues of pharmaceutical pricing and the need for pricing transparency.  HB 909 remained in committee.

9. Attorney General – Powers – Maryland Defense Act of 2017

   HB 913 was enacted and is no longer subject to veto; in addition to affirming an expansion of the Attorney General’s authority, it mandates funding for additional staff.  SB 665 remained in committee.

10. Maryland Nonprofit Development Center Program and Fund – Bridge Loans

    HB 1517 & SB 465 both passed, creating the loan program and authorizing a fund transfer for a reduced level of FY 2018 funding.

11. Attorney General – Powers – Maryland Defense Act of 2017

    SJR 5 passed in each
    
    house,
    and was signed by the President and Speaker.  HJR 3 remained in Senate committee.

12. State Operating Budget and Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA)

    Both HB 150 (Budget Bill) and HB 152 (BRFA) have passed both been enacted.

Other Legislation Supported

1. Open Meetings Act – Annual Reporting Requirement, Web Site Postings, and Training

   HB 880 & SB 450 both passed – priority legislation for Marylanders for Open Government, to improve accountability and compliance with the Open Meetings Act.

2. Commission to Study the Disproportionate Justice Impact on Minorities

   HB 993 & SB 462 remained in committee with no action.

3. University of Maryland School of Public Health, Center for Health Equity – Workgroup on Health in All Policies

   HB 1225 & SB 340 have both passed, requiring a workgroup to study how public policies impact public health and make recommendations for promoting health in all state and local policy-making.

 Other Nonprofit Efforts We Tracked

1. Labor and Employment – Maryland Healthy Working Families Act

   HB 1 was passed requiring employers to grant ‘sick or safe’ leave under most circumstances.  SB 230 remained in the House committee.

2. Education – Maryland Meals for Achievement In-Classroom Breakfast Program – Administration (Maryland Meals for Achievement for Teens Act of 2017)

   HB 257 & SB 359 both passed.

3. Hunger Free Schools Act of 2017

   HB 287 and SB361 both passed.

4. Clean Water Commerce Act of 2017

   HB417 & SB 314 both passed.

5. Education – Statewide Kindergarten Assessment – Completion

   HB 654 & SB 145 both passed.

6. Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission

   SB 884 & HB 1134 both passed.  SB 884 is no longer subject to veto.

7. Oil and Natural Gas – Hydraulic Fracturing – Prohibition

   HB 1325 has been enacted; no action on SB 740.

8. Public Assistance – Family Investment Program – Child Support Pass Through

   HB 1469 & SB 1009 both passed.

9. Labor and Employment – Payment of Minimum Wage Required (Fight for Fifteen)

   HB 1416 & SB 962 had no committee action.

10. The Protection of the Federal Affordable Care Act

    HJ 9 was passed, SJ 7 remained in the House.

11. State Board of Elections – Open Meetings – Audio Recordings and Documents (State Board of Elections Transparency Act) 

    HB 169 passed the House but along with its cross-file SB 91, received no action in the Senate.

12. Public Information Act – Denials of Inspection – Explanation Regarding Redaction

    HB 383 and SB 1057 both passed.  The bills require a custodian denying access to a public record to explain why redacting certain information would not allow disclosure of the record.

Legislation Opposed or that Caused Concern

1. Procurement – Nondiscrimination Clauses and State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination (X-filed)

   HB 919 received no committee action; SB 971 passed the Senate with significant amendments but remained in House Rules.

2. Hospitals – Community Benefit Report – Disclosure of Tax Exemption (X-filed)

   HB 921 had no action; SB 623 was voted ‘unfavorable’ by Senate FIN.

3. Maryland Open Transportation Investment Decision Act – Application and Evaluation

   SB 307 passed with significant amendments, modifying and partially delaying implementation of 2016’s required scoring system for major transportation projects. Cross-file HB 402 remained in the House. These were
   
   initially
   efforts to repeal the 2016 legislation.