Adjournment

​The 2026 Maryland Legislative session has now concluded. It is an incredible privilege to represent you alongside the rest of the District 16 Delegation: Senator Sara Love, Delegate Sarah Wolek, and Delegate Teresa Woorman. Below is my end of session letter. Going forward, these updates will switch to a monthly format.

Leading floor discussion of the Utility Relief Act

There have been significant changes in Annapolis and your state legislature since last year’s legislative session. Now-Speaker Emerita Adrienne Jones shared in December that she was stepping down from her role. I was proud to serve under Speaker Emerita Jones’ leadership over the years, first as Majority Leader, and then as chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee, my current position. I learned a lot from the former Speaker, and I try to lead by her example by being prepared and maintaining a diligent focus on our work. 
In December, the House of Delegates held a special session to elect Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk. She represents a district in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties and previously served as the chair of the former Health and Government Operations Committee. The House Chamber in Annapolis is lined with portraits of the most recent Speakers, all of whom have been white men up until Speaker Jones. Some day, many years from now, the person at the rostrum will have a portrait of Speaker Jones, the first African American and woman to serve as Speaker, over one shoulder and Speaker Peña-Melnyk, the first Afro-Latina to serve as Speaker, over the other. And the members who serve in the House, school children who visit, and others who enter will see a broader reflection of Maryland in those portraits. 
I am honored to continue my service under Speaker Peña-Melnyk’s leadership as chair of the House Environment & Transportation Committee, one of seven standing committees in the House of Delegates. The committee has jurisdiction over the topics in the committee name, as well as agriculture, aquaculture, natural resources, and two new policy areas. This year, Speaker Peña-Melnyk charged the Environment and Transportation Committee with energy policy and utilities. My committee no longer oversees housing policy, which was transferred to the Economic Matters Committee, as well as local government and ethics, which were transferred to the newly-created Government, Labor, and Elections Committee. 
The theme of our legislative agenda for this session was affordability, accountability, and opportunity. The General Assembly put in the work to equip the state and its citizens with the tools they need to grow and thrive. Below is a synopsis of some key legislation from the past few months. We work on thousands of bills each session, so if an issue you care about is not addressed here, please email me with any questions at [email protected]. 

2026 State Budget 
The only piece of legislation that is constitutionally required to pass each year is a balanced budget. This year, when we convened, the state faced a large projected shortfall, and the problem has grown more severe as the federal government has unpredictably cut direct assistance and implemented changes that are particularly impactful in Maryland, where we have so many federal employees, contractors, and agencies.
Despite these fiscal challenges, the General Assembly passed a comprehensive and balanced budget that funds our shared priorities. It is never easy to make cuts to vital programs, but that is what is needed to meet our requirements and set Maryland up for financial success in the future.
The Maryland Budget for Fiscal Year 2027, among other initiatives, includes support for:
-Education & Childcare
$10.2 billion for K-12 education, including over $1 billion for Montgomery County Public Schools and $229 million for the Free and Reduced Lunch program 
$2.5 billion for higher education institutions
$20 million to expand access to and shorten the waitlist for the Child Care Scholarship, allowing 3,700 families to receive affordable child care 
$450,000 for the Young Readers Grant Program that I helped to expand in previous years

-Transportation & Infrastructure
Over $1 billion as part of Maryland’s share of our regional transit system, the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA), or Metro
$500 million for bike and pedestrian connectivity to expand transportation options
$463 million for safety improvements under the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
$9.5 million for flood/natural disaster mitigation programs and infrastructure 

-Health & Social Services
$14 billion for Medicaid and the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP)
$1.7 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
$384 million to support low-income housing solutions 
Cost containment measures for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) resulted in reductions from the original proposed $150 million to $126.9 million. As this was one of our most difficult actions this year, I will describe it in further detail:

The DDA has seen extraordinary funding growth in the past few years. State tax dollar support for DDA was a proposed $1.7 billion in 2025, up from $667 million in 2021. This type of growth means we are providing necessary services for people who need them. But no other budget item has seen that scale of increase in such a short time.

This growth threatens the State’s Medicaid waiver that keeps 19,000 Marylanders out of institutional care. In the context of federal rules, the State must demonstrate that the cost of independent living services is less than the cost of institutionalization. Failure to do so could potentially result in the revocation of billions in federal funding. This reduction is incredibly difficult to make, but it is necessary in order for the state to maintain a balanced budget while staying in compliance with applicable federal rules. 

The State’s capital (construction) budget also makes significant investments, such as $54 million for Montgomery County Public Schools construction and allocations for local District 16 projects, including:
-Schools and Educational Institutions 
$400,000 for The Diener School
$700,000 for Carderock Springs Elementary School highway sound barrier 

-Healthcare Centers
$1.5 million for the Suburban Hospital Emergency Department
$50,000 for the Children’s Inn at the National Institute of Health Medical Isolation Wing

-Recreation and Transportation
$500,000 this year, and a $2.5 million commitment for each of the next two years, for the new North Bethesda Metro Station entrance
$250,000 for Maplewood-Alta Vista Local Park in Bethesda
$150,000 for culvert restoration in C&O Canal National Historical Park
$100,000 to study a Downtown Bethesda recreational center

-Cultural and Community Centers 
$1.5 million for the Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom
$50,000 for Adventure Theatre at Glen Echo
$240,000  for Morningstar Tabernacle No. 88 cemetery

Each year, we need to balance the state budget. Some years are more challenging than others and, this year, we were able to deliver a budget with no tax or fee increases.

Energy

In 2026, the Environment and Transportation Committee worked diligently on a package of bills aimed at advancing energy affordability and sustainability. The Utility Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families (RELIEF) Act (HB 1532) was introduced by Speaker Peña-Melnyk. There is no single cause of high energy prices, but the RELIEF Act addresses short, medium, and long-term energy challenges. Provisions of the bill include: 
-Limits gas and electric utilities’ ability to recover supervisor salaries from ratepayers, instead requiring it to come from corporate profits
-Bans the use of a utility rate setting method called forecast test years and requires the Public Service Commission to study the method
-Authorizes the use of certain portable solar energy generation devices
-Requires the state to support additional utility-scale solar and other renewables
-Alters requirements for data centers, including requiring smaller data centers to comply with a large load tariff so they cover more of their costs, establishing a data center registry, and creating prioritization tiers for data centers that bring their own clean energy and pay prevailing wage
-Temporarily reducing the EmPOWER Maryland electric energy efficiency program to reduce costs while maintaining our environmental commitments
-Expands access to energy assistance programs and supports a new low-income cost mechanism
-Provides support for nonprofits to transition to green energy and other renewable energy programs
-Requires utilities to submit for review underground transmission lines, similar to the current requirements for overhead transmission lines
-Mandates that utilities look at grid-enhancing technologies and advanced transmission technologies instead of building costly new lines

The General Assembly had to make difficult decisions on energy policy this session. This type of legislation is nonetheless essential to the well-being of our state residents.

Transportation 
Investing in and maintaining our State’s transportation network is a significant focus of mine. The legislation we worked on centers around keeping Maryland’s highways and public transit systems safe and accessible for all. 

Out of State Plates - Improper Registration (SB 111) seeks to address the ongoing issue with improper vehicle registration by authorizing the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to take possession of registration cards and plates issued by other states but used by Maryland residents who should have Maryland plates. It also prohibits title agencies from selling non-Maryland registration cards and plates within the State. HB 212 gives the MVA the authority to enforce our State’s registration laws and collect the fees it needs to fund other important initiatives.  

I sponsored the Metro Funding Modification Act (HB 386) this year. The bill would have increased Maryland’s funding for our regional transit system (WMATA/Metro) contingent upon DC and Virginia passing similar legislation to ensure that the task of maintaining the Metro is shared among the jurisdictions that use and benefit from it. While the bill unfortunately did not pass this year, I remain committed to securing adequate funding for Metro and WMATA to keep public transit safe and accessible. 

The Clear Before You Drive Act (HB 474) requires Maryland drivers to clear accumulated precipitation off their vehicles before operating them. Eight-year-old District 16 resident Lucy testified in favor of the bill, in which she recalled driving on I-270 with her father, when they narrowly avoided a chunk of snow that flew off a vehicle in front of them. Lucy learned that there was no pertinent Maryland legislation and thus decided to take action. We thank Lucy for her activism and concern for her community. 

Another safety program is the Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program (HB 107), which follows Virginia’s lead in having habitual traffic law violators use speed governors to follow the speed limit, similar to the ignition interlock program for drivers charged with driving under the influence.  

The governing body of the State’s transit landscape is improved in various ways under the Maryland Transit Reform Act (HB 1081). This bill resulted from last year’s Work Group on the Organization of the Maryland Transit Administration. It implements numerous board and personnel changes within MTA. Significantly for our community, it adds an advisory board for the commuter rail (MARC Rail) service, requires increased personnel focusing on commuter rail issues, and requires an expert study on a passenger rail authority, a structure Virginia already has. This reorganization will allow for better delegation of work within MTA and increase the efficiency of the administration’s services. We also passed Economic Development - Horse Racing Facilities, Prince George's County Blue Line Corridor Facilities, and Bus Rapid Transit - Alterations (HB 1581), which adds additional funding for bus rapid transit for Montgomery County.  

The Honorable Anne Healey Pedestrian Safety Act of 2026 (HB 1504), named in honor of a long-time state delegate and member of my committee, furthers Maryland’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to end roadway injuries and fatalities. The Act requires the State Highway Administration to prioritize sidewalk and bicycle pathway projects that are adjacent to highways or similarly busy roads to protect pedestrians and encourage non-vehicular modes of transportation.  

Environment & Natural Resources

The environmental efforts we worked on this session deal with preserving our State’s natural resources and open spaces for generations of Marylanders to come. 

On January 19, a section of the 54-mile Potomac Interceptor (PI) sewer line collapsed along Clara Barton Parkway, resulting in a significant overflow into the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Our office immediately began engaging with DC Water, which owns the line, and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to ensure residents had the most up-to-date information on the situation, to get answers to your questions, and push for more testing and faster action. DC Water and MDE are currently working on remedial work to ensure that the long-term impacts of the overflow are addressed. Our office has an email list for regular updates. If you would like to be added to this list, please contact us. One of the subcommittees of the Environment & Transportation Committee was also the first public body in the region to hold an oversight hearing on the break. 

I am the primary sponsor of the Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act (HB 870). This bill requires counties and municipalities to notify MDE within 10 days of the approval of permits for new buildings over 35,000 square feet. It also includes a provision that informs MDE of the planned energy sources of these buildings. HB 870 encourages State enterprises to pursue sustainable infrastructure and makes sure that MDE and large building owners have the information needed to avoid costly energy retrofitting in the future to comply with our state’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) requirements. 
District 16’s State Senator, Sara Love, sponsored the Senate version of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - Regulation (HB 925), which requires the Maryland Department of the Environment to regulate the amount of PFAS (Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances) that can be used in biosolids that are applied on agricultural land. This bill is critical for protecting not only the health of our agricultural community and the environment, but also for every Marylander. I am grateful to Senator Love for her work on this important matter.  

Endangered and Threatened Species and Migratory Birds - Regulations, Lists, Petitions, Essential Habitats and Takings (HB 578) reflects an effort to protect Maryland’s endangered species and migratory birds. It instructs the Secretary of Natural Resources to update regulations related to the Irreplaceable Natural Areas Program and the list of endangered and threatened animal species at least every 10 years. In a time when federal conservation regulations are being rolled back, our state must defend native animal and plant populations, and this legislation essentially locks in federal requirements as they currently exist. 
Understanding the impact of federal changes is a main focus of Federal Environmental Policy - Reporting (HB 663). This legislation requires the Maryland Department of Environment to compose a report on any changes in federal environmental policy every six months so that Maryland can keep up with federal actions and respond accordingly, either with litigation or our own policy changes. 

On-Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program (HB 429) sets up a new farm-based waste diversion program. Less farm-based waste in our landfills and other waste streams is positive for all Marylanders. 

The Board of Public Works Climate Transparency Act (HB 1161) was proposed legislation to require state contracts submitted to our Board of Public Works–which reviews all state contracts–to account for state climate sustainability goals. The BPW agreed to implement this without legislation, and therefore, I withdrew the bill. 

Ensuring environmental sustainability is a key priority for me as your state Delegate, and we will continue our work towards a cleaner and greener Maryland.

Economic Development 

Speaker Peña-Melnyk introduced Maryland’s Future Board (HB 1473), which establishes a new board under the Department of Commerce to develop and carry out plans for the State’s economic future. Her vision affirms that economic growth and diversification are vital for the well-being of our State and its citizens, and the following bills show that this can be achieved in a variety of ways, including housing and community development, support for business owners, and consumer protections.  
The Maryland Housing Certainty Act (HB 548) deals with permitting for housing developments and allows for the simplification of certain bureaucratic processes. Keeping housing affordable and the process for construction reliable is important for our state’s economic success. The Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act (HB 894) was introduced on behalf of the Governor. It focuses on transit-oriented developments (TODs), which are communities centered around public transit systems. TODs are effective in reducing traffic congestion by encouraging public transit use. HB 894 advocates for the designation of TODs as enterprise zones, allowing for expanded access to affordable housing and resources dedicated to economic development. Such development is crucial in these areas, as TODs are home to many individuals who rely on public transit to get to and from work and other obligations. Frankly, it is something District 16 is very familiar with, given the presence of Downtown Bethesda and Friendship Heights, and the rest of the state should follow our lead.  

This year, I sponsored the Franchise Reform Act (HB 730), which supports our state economy by improving the annual renewal process for franchise applicants. It codifies a program that expedites this process and protects the rights of franchisees by extending the statute of limitations for certain legal actions. The Franchise Reform Act supports Maryland’s broader business landscape by easing an administrative burden for franchisees. The Governor’s Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (HB 898), also known as The DECADE Act, alters and extends certain State economic development programs, incentivizing growth within Maryland. This sort of growth is key to our state’s economy. 
 
The Protection from Predatory Pricing Act (HB 895) prohibits food retailers, including third-party delivery services, from using customer data to implement variable pricing and certain targeted advertising. The bill deems these actions unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices, and seeks to hold retailers accountable for predatory behaviors. Following the discontinuation of the penny, the General Assembly passed Rounding Cash Transactions - Authorization (HB 1026), which allows merchants to round the amount of certain cash transactions and cash wages for greater convenience.  

To best benefit our State, economic development should promote equity and sustainability. The legislation discussed above demonstrates how these initiatives can be achieved through mindful policymaking.

Immigration and Other Federal Responses

Maryland is feeling the impacts of the current Presidential administration's irresponsible decisions. The actions of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue to pose a threat to the safety and unity of our communities. The General Assembly has taken actions to mitigate the harm ICE is causing. Constitutional Rights - Violations and Digital Unmasking (HB 351) authorizes “digital unmasking” of federal agents. In the case of a grievance against a judicial officer, for instance, an ICE agent, this bill allows authorities to collect information about their digital activity. Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement Agreements - Prohibition (HB 444) was signed by Governor Wes Moore on February 17. This emergency bill bans 287(g) agreements–which are formal agreements between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials–effectively ending formal cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement agencies. The Data Privacy Act (HB 711) prevents companies that legally collect sensitive data from sharing said data with ICE and cooperating agencies. Immigration detention facilities are regulated under Correctional Services - Private Immigration Detention Facilities - Zoning Requirement (HB 1017) requires any such facilities operated in the State to meet the appropriate zoning and human welfare standards. The Maryland Values Act of 2026 (SB 810) extends “sensitive location” protections to public schools and food distribution centers to keep our students and other vulnerable populations safe. I am a proud advocate for these bills. Diversity and compassion are among our State’s many strengths – it is for this reason that we must work to keep federal agencies in check.
 
We also passed the No Kings Act (SB 346), which creates a private right of action against federal officials who violate constitutional rights, similar to an existing federal law that does the same for state officials. In addition, we passed the Federal Obligations Enforcement Act (SB 828), which gives the state additional tools to obtain lawfully appropriated and illegally withheld federal dollars. There are, unfortunately, several current examples of federal funds that courts have found are being improperly withheld by federal offices. 

Public Safety & Criminal Justice

The House Judiciary Committee heard numerous bills on the subjects in the title of this section. These bills aim to keep our communities safe and our justice system fair. Family Law - Child Care Providers - Criminal Background Investigations (HB 281) strengthens background check and criminal record investigation requirements for childcare providers to ensure the safety of our youngest Marylanders. Under current law, the State’s juvenile courts do not have jurisdiction over cases alleging a crime punishable by a life sentence; the Youth Charging Reform Act (SB 323) changes that. The Youth Charging Reform Act repeals certain provisions that act as barriers to justice for juvenile offenders. Criminal Law - Machine Gun Convertible Pistols (SB 334), sponsored by Senator Sara Love, arose from national concern regarding the use of machine gun convertible pistols, or “DIY guns” – firearms altered with a small device allowing them to fire automatically. The manufacture, sale, and distribution of these weapons is banned under the bill. The safety of our State is paramount to our role as legislators, which is evidenced by the above-mentioned bills.  

Health

While the federal government continues to implement policies that neglect the health and safety of the American people, the General Assembly has passed numerous pieces of legislation that protect Marylanders. Hospitals - Emergency Pregnancy-Related Medical Conditions - Procedures (HB 372) ensures that Maryland law clearly protects access to emergency medical care for patients experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies, including when an abortion is necessary to save a patient’s life or prevent serious and permanent harm. At a time when the Supreme Court is making decisions that limit access to healthcare, legislation like this is critical. The Vax Act (HB 637) separates Maryland’s vaccine authority from the federal government. This builds on the work of the Moore-Miller Administration and the General Assembly to provide safeguards for broad vaccine access. The Safe Staffing Act of 2026 (HB 624) requires certain Maryland hospitals to establish staffing committees to create and implement staffing plans. This will help to ensure that our State’s healthcare facilities are adequately staffed and that healthcare workers are properly supported in the workplace. 

Transparency & Accountability

I believe that transparency helps to build trust between public officials and their constituents and ensures
that the government is working for the people that it is meant to serve. The Local Boards of Education Transparency Act (HB 154) follows in the footsteps of work I have done in prior legislative sessions to increase transparency for government operations. The Act would have required all boards of education to live-stream and archive video recordings of their public meetings. Unfortunately, the bill did not make it over the finish line but I will try again. Another piece of legislation I was the primary sponsor of was Special Taxing Districts - Village of Drummond - Authority and Organization (HB 1623), which updated the Village of Drummond’s charter. This bill puts the community’s current wants and needs into the state code properly. I was happy to work with the village Mayor on this effort. 

Following similar legislation in states like Texas and California, the House of Delegates introduced its own mid-decade redistricting bill: Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (HB 488). This is not something that we wanted to do, but we believed that we had to after the President unjustly asked Texas to provide him with more seats in their Congressional delegation. The House of Delegates felt that we could not sit on the sidelines and play by a different set of rules; ultimately, the Senate did not agree. State governments and administrations can better fulfill their obligations to the citizens of Maryland when they are open to feedback and oversight. This year’s work in government transparency and accountability legislation affirms this fact.  

Outside of the Legislative Session

​While the Maryland General Assembly only meets for 90 days each year in Annapolis, I am working for you 365 days a year. As we progress through the year, my office will continue to be a resource to help connect you to your officials. If you have any comments about the material in this letter, questions about the recently concluded legislative session, ideas regarding policy issues, problems with a State agency that require constituent services, or are interested in a legislative scholarship, please contact me anytime. 
My office can be reached year-round by phone at (410) 841-3649 or by email at [email protected] (or by clicking reply). Thank you for reaching out to me during the legislative session. I strongly value the input of my constituents on the issues before the General Assembly, and it is individuals like you who make me proud to represent District 16.