As we get deeper into the legislative session, we are on the House floor for longer periods of time debating legislation. As a committee chair, I usually leave it to my subcommittee chairs to debate and defend legislation we are advancing out of committee.  However, this past week I was briefly up on the House floor to help clarify pro-environmental legislation called the Paint Stewardship Act.  You can watch it here.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
​The Maryland Metro Funding Act of 2024 that I sponsored passed the House with bipartisan support. The legislation temporarily eases Maryland's operating funding limit for Metro/WMATA in line with the Governor's budget and regional negotiations regarding Metro funding.

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You may recall that I proposed local legislation to require Montgomery County Public Schools teachers to undergo training in anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of religious discrimination.  However, as part of the Decency Agenda the House is passing this year that I mentioned last week, there is a statewide bill to accomplish this goal for every school system.  Therefore, I have withdrawn the local bill.
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HB 1300 is another local bill I have received numerous questions about.  The bill would void restrictions in deeds, covenants, or common ownership community organization documents that restrict land use beyond what the county's zoning regulations state for that area. There have been a lot of questions about the bill.  We discussed this bill in the Montgomery County Delegation meeting last week and you can see that discussion here.

ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
Governor Moore was back in the Environment and Transportation Committee this week to discuss his housing agenda, which includes three pieces of legislation related to zoning and where housing can be built, protections and support for renters, and a new community development enterprise to access federal tax credit financing for development.  You can watch his explanation here and read about each bill in detail below:
Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024
Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024
Housing and Community Development Financing Act of 2024

PEPCO UPDATE
​For those of you with solar panels on your roof, Pepco recently sent an email regarding implementation of the Net Metering Flexibility Act in Maryland. I authored this legislation with Senator Brian Feldman--inspired by a conversation with a constituent in his driveway when going door-to-door--and it allows those who generate electricity more flexibility in how they use net metering credits for electricity they sell to the grid. If you have questions about this policy, you can call Pepco customer care center at 1-800-424-8028.

COMMUNITY NEWS
Montgomery County Parks will hold a virtual meeting to discuss proposed renovations at Merrimac Neighborhood Park. The meeting is on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Register to attend here.
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The Bethesda Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club has a series of upcoming meetings. To obtain links for any of the below, please email [email protected]:
-March 4, at 7:30am: Lisa Taylor, Chair of the Montgomery County Committee Against Hate/Violence
-April 10, at 7:30am: District 18 state legislators
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Congratulations to Daniel Ahr on joining the Friendship Heights Village Council.
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Two Montgomery County constituents are being confirmed to County Boards and Commissions this week: Nick Magliato to the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board and Jordan Kaplan to the Interagency Coordinating Board for Community Use of Public Facilities.

BOOK CORNER
With Larry Hogan back in Maryland politics and not just on the Sunday shows, this is a good time to highlight Blue-State Republican by Mileah Kromer. She explores Hogan's political success and popularity during his gubernatorial years as a Republican in a Democratic-leaning state.  I was probably too close to this overall topic--the political time period, not Governor Hogan--to have an unbiased opinion of the book but I particularly appreciated her discussion of Hogan's specific political tactics that helped him maintain his popularity and win a second term.

P.S. As President's Day just passed, I wanted to share my 2018 address to the House of Delegates in honor of Washington's birthday. Every year the Speaker of the House has a Delegate make such an address (and there is a similar tradition for Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther KIng, Jr.). You can listen to the address (which predates video streaming in the chamber) here.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
​The  Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Act of 2024 (HB 159) passed the full House with a bipartisan vote last week. The bill updates a law we passed several years ago on access to electric vehicle charging equipment in buildings governed by homeowners associations and condo boards.

The Maryland Metro Funding Act of 2024 (HB 198) passed the House Appropriations Committee with bipartisan support and will be on the House floor next week. As you may know, our local Metro system is facing an operating funding short-fall.  The Moore Administration has stepped up with additional funds but this requires a change to our state law capping the operating fund increases to Metro. The bill has already had its hearing in the Appropriations Committee.
The Open-Source Phonics Matching Grant Program Act (HB 475) had its hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee this week. This legislation came from my work with a constituent and will put some state support into free reading materials to help support literacy in and out of schools. You can watch the hearing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r-2njs8-9E&t=447s
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I am regularly asked about the End-Of-Life Option Act, a bill which would allow those with terminal conditions in Maryland to request aide in dying. It can be a sensitive and personal topic, although the majority of constituents I hear from about it support the bill.  Last week, two House Committees held a joint hearing on the bill which you can watch here. Several years ago, this legislation passed the House of Delegates but not the State Senate.
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Another impactful bill moving through the committee process is the Access to Care Act . The bill has controversial headlines, but at its core it allows the undocumented to buy into plans on the state health insurance exchange with no access to subsidies or other government or taxpayer funded benefits if the federal government grants Maryland a waiver to do so. This represents an opportunity to expand healthcare access to the 6% of Marylanders who are uninsured (down from 13% before the passage of Obamacare).
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The House leadership announced the Decency Agenda this week. It contains five important bills including the Freedom to Read Act--which establishes a set of state standards for libraries to avoid banning books--a school employee training requirement for anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.  You may recall that I have a local (Montgomery County) bill on this issue, which statewide legislation would obviate the need for. Here is the complete Decency Agenda:
HB785  – Freedom to Read Act:
-Establishes a set of State Standards for Libraries to ensure that libraries cannot:
Exclude materials from their catalogs because of the origin, background, or views of the person who create the materials;
Proscribe or remove materials from their catalogs because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
-Protects school and public library workers by preventing punitive actions being taken against them for their adherence to the State Standards for Libraries.
HB602 – Employment Discrimination – Sexual Orientation
-Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in response to a recent Maryland Supreme Court ruling that said state law grants certain job protections to workers on the basis of their sex and their gender identity but not based on their sexual orientation.
HB1386 – Education - Employee Training and Holocaust Education Study – Requirements
-Implements anti-bias teacher training focused on combating anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
-Requires MSDE to conduct a third-party evaluation on the implementation of Holocaust curriculum standards.
HB1287 – State and County Superintendents of Schools - Employment Contracts - School Leadership Course or Program
-Requires all incoming County Superintendents & the State Superintendent to complete a school leadership course or program.
HB333 – Election Law - Election Disinformation on Large Social Media Platforms and Influence Related to Voting
-Combats voter suppression by defining “influence” in the law to apply to deceptive tactics intentionally used for voter suppression.
-Creates a voter action line within the State Board of Elections (SBE) to collect potential misinformation and refer them to the proper prosecution authority if necessary.
-Requires SBE to report voter suppression efforts found on social media platforms to the platform, request false information is removed, and issue corrective information to ensure the public knows the facts.
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
In the Environment and Transportation Committee this week, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller presented one of the Administration's priority bills: The Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024.
In 2020, construction worker Michael O'Connor was killed on Old Georgetown Road--a state highway--in District 16. We worked with Mr. O'Connor's widow to require the State Highway Administration to provide a report on worker safety which you can read here . The basic thrust of State Highway's response then was that no additional measures needed to be taken.  So after a tragic incident on the Baltimore Beltway killed six highway workers, I was relieved to see the Moore-Miller Administration respond in force with a Lieutenant Governor-led work group followed by legislation.
The bill would increase the automated enforcement penalties for work zone violations, make it easier to place automated enforcement equipment, and dedicate more funds to work zone safety.
BUDGET UPDATE
In prior emails, I noted that the Moore Administration set aside $90 million in unspecified funding for implementation of the Climate Solutions Now Act, Maryland's ambitious legislation to make the state a net zero emitter of greenhouse gases by 2045. The Governor has now announced his intention for the funds, although how they are used will ultimately be up to the General Assembly. Under the Governor's proposal, the funds will be allocated as follows:
$17 million for grants to purchase and lease electric school buses to serve Maryland public school students;
$23 million  for grants to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in low and moderate income communities; and
$50 million for grants to electrify hospitals, schools, multi-family housing, and other community buildings.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Maryland Matters recently ran a story on District 16 resident Joy Hakim and her work to improve school textbooks. You can read the story here.
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The Bethesda Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club has a series of upcoming meetings. To obtain links for any of the below, please email [email protected]:
-March 4, at 7:30am: Lisa Taylor, Chair of the Montgomery County Committee Against Hate/Violence
-April 10, at 7:30am: District 18 state legislators
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Each year, the Governor delivers his "Green Bag" appointments to state boards and commissions to the State Senate. The name comes from the ceremonial bag the hard copy is delivered in. Among this year's Green Bag appointees is District 16's Dr. Phyllis G. Scalettar, who has been nominated to reappointment to the board of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation.
BOOK CORNER
I have already twice included books in this section by author John Frece, a scribe of Maryland's 20th century political history. I had the opportunity to meet him earlier this month so this is a good time to mention another of his books, this one his most recent: Self-Destruction: The rise, fall, and redemption of U.S. Senator Daniel B. Brewster. Senator Brewster also served in the state legislature and the House of Representatives before representing the state in the United States Senate from 1963 to 1969. He is perhaps best known for serving as Lyndon Johnson's proxy in the 1964 Maryland Democratic Primary where Brewster squared off--on LBJ's behalf--against George Wallace. For those interested in Maryland history, this is a terrific read.

The Maryland General Assembly runs on a tight schedule with strict deadlines. One of the most significant is the bill introduction date, the date by which bills must be introduced to be guaranteed a hearing. For the House of Delegates, that deadline was last Thursday (it was last Monday for the State Senate). As of now, there are over 1,400 bills in the House, with 341 assigned to the Environment and Transportation Committee--the most of any House Committee.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATEHere is the complete list of bills I am sponsoring.
Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Act of 2024 (HB 159): Senator Ariana Kelly is cross-filing this bill, which updates a law we passed several years ago on access to electric vehicle charging equipment in buildings governed by homeowners associations and condo boards. Specifically, the bill adds co-ops to the existing law, expands the definition of vehicles to include charging equipment for e-bikes, and puts in place a process for the state's Department of Housing and Community Development to implement the law and serve as a point of contact for individuals who need assistance with the law. The bill is on the House floor for consideration this week.
Maryland Metro Funding Act of 2024 (HB 198): I am working on this bill with Senator Brian Feldman, as well as Senator Malcolm Augustine and Delegate Jazz Lewis and it is part of a regional negotiation over Metro.  As you may know, our local Metro system is facing an operating funding short-fall.  The Moore Administration has stepped up with additional funds but this requires a change to our state law capping the operating fund increases to Metro. The bill has already had its hearing in the Appropriations Committee. 
The Washington Suburban Transit Commission Reform Act (HB 1023): This is a local bill already introduced for which the local hearings were previously held. The bill reforms the Montgomery and Prince George's bi-county commission that oversees our state's Metro commitment by clarifying how the state Transportation Secretary's designee can serve on the Metro board, revises how the other Metro board seat can shift back and forth, and alters what budgetary actions the commission can take independently.  The Montgomery and Prince George's County House Delegations have already voted to support the bill.
The Open-Source Phonics Matching Grant Program Act (HB 475): This legislation came from my work with a constituent and will put some state support into free reading materials to help support literacy in and out of schools.
The Transportation Funding Act of 2024 (HB 1215): Through my work on a state transportation revenue and investment commission (more on that below) and the Administration's recently announced transportation cuts (which I have discussed in prior emails), it is clear that more support is needed for the type of infrastructure I often hear constituents want: less trash on the roads, fewer potholes, well-functioning mass transit, roadway improvements, and so on.  Given the federal government's current historic investment in infrastructure, it is also an important time for our state to step up. For that reason, I am sponsoring a bill to increase revenue for transportation infrastructure by charging low fees on transportation network company (Uber, Lyft, etc.) trips and certain home deliveries. I do not do this lightly and will explain more of my thinking in future newsletters, but safe, reliable, and efficient infrastructure costs money.
Maryland Toll Rate Reform Act of 2024 (HB 1070): As with the prior bill, this legislation is designed to address the severe transportation budget challenges. It would follow the pattern of other states such as Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York to use toll revenue not just for the toll facility but for our broader transportation challenges.
Montgomery County Public Schools - School Personnel Training - Religious Discrimination Prevention (HB 1379): This is another local bill I am working on which would mandate training related to anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of religious discrimination for Montgomery County Public Schools personnel.
Port of Baltimore - Renaming (HB 375): I am sponsoring a bill to place in statute the current name of the Port of Baltimore (Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore). When the Port was named after former Congresswoman Delich Bentley it was done via an executive order and not in law.
ADMINISTRATION UPDATEGovernor Moore recently released a state plan.  The plan sets out ten areas of focus for the state along with objectives, core strategies, and key performance indicators.
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A week ago the Governor was in the chamber of the House of Delegates to deliver the State of the State address. You can read a transcript of his speech here.

BUDGET UPDATEI no longer serve on the Appropriations Committee but for those interested in state government, I still recommend the annual budget hearings and budget analysis for each state agency.  You can see them all as they occur here.
COMMUNITY NEWSThe Bethesda Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club has a series of upcoming meetings. To obtain links for any of the below, please email [email protected]:
-March 4, at 7:30am: Lisa Taylor, Chair of the Montgomery County Committee Against Hate/Violence
-April 10, at 7:30am: District 18 state legislators
BOOK CORNERAs February is Black History Month, I will mention a book my colleague Senator Cory McCray recommended to me years ago: They Call Me Little Willie: The Life Story of William L. Adams by Mark R. Cheshire. Adams was a civic and political force in Baltimore City but also ran a significant illegal gambling operation. He was involved in many de-segregation efforts in the city and state.

Later today, Governor Moore will come to the chamber of the Maryland House of Delegates to deliver the annual State of the State address. You will be able to watch it on YouTube. And by the way, you can watch the House or Senate proceedings daily via the Maryland General Assembly website.  The floor sessions start slowly each year as we wait for committees to report out bills but this week we will have legislation on the House floor for the first time in 2024. You can see what the full House and Senate are taking up each day here. Later this week, you can see that the committee I chair--Environment & Transportation--will report out its first set of bills for consideration on the floor.


LEGISLATIVE UPDATELast Friday, a local bill I introduced had its hearing--which you can watch here--before the Montgomery County Delegation. The bill would require Montgomery County Public Schools to conduct mandatory training for personnel on anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of religious discrimination.
And yesterday, the Environment and Transportation Committee held a hearing on legislation I authored, the Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Act of 2024. The proposal tightens up the rules for installing charging equipment in Homeowners Association and Condo Board governed areas. You can learn more and watch the hearing here.
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Last week, the Governor joined House and Senate leadership to unveil legislation related to our juvenile justice system. The legislation requires law enforcement to use the Child in Need of Supervision process and extends how long probation can be for juveniles, among other provisions. You can read the complete bill here.
BUDGET UPDATEFor obvious reasons, I tend to focus on legislation and the legislative process in these weekly emails. However, it might be of interest to know what happens after the legislature's work is done. For example, over the past few years I have written many times about the Montgomery County Delegation's efforts to obtain transportation funding from the state. We have had great success, including setting up a new program that automatically routes lottery revenue to the county for its Bus Rapid Transit system on a continuous basis and one time money to procure zero emission buses for the county's bus system (RideOn). When the legislature takes those actions, the state Board of Public Works (BPW) still must approve the final contracts/agreements. Last week, BPW approved tens of millions of dollars for these programs and projects and others for the county. You can read more from the BPW agenda, starting on page 67.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATEI continue to be involved in regional discussions related to our local Metro system. As Maryland, Virginia, and DC have all signaled their intent to provide additional funding, the Metro General Manager has revised his budget proposal. The proposal does not impose turnbacks--where half the trains used to turn back into DC at Grosvenor and other locations--or station closures. There are still targeted service reductions, proposed fare increases, and cost containment. You can read the current proposal here.
COMMUNITY NEWSThe Bethesda Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club has a series of upcoming meetings. To obtain links for any of the below, please email [email protected]:
-March 4, at 7:30am: Lisa Taylor, Chair of the Montgomery County Committee Against Hate/Violence
-April 10, at 7:30am: District 18 state legislators
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Congratulations to District 16's David Rubenstein, the new owner of the Baltimore Orioles (once Major League Baseball approves the deal).
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Thank you and congratulations to District 16's Zayn Bandukwalla and Alan Trachtenberg on their appointments to the County's Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Council.
BOOK CORNERAbove I referenced the Maryland Board of Public Works, a unique entity made up of the Governor, State Treasurer, and Comptroller that approves all state contracts valued over $200,000 and has other powers it has been granted over the years. In the early 1980s, Alan Wilner wrote The Maryland Board of Public Works: A History which describes the then-150 year history of this unique Maryland institution.  You can access the book through the Maryland Archive.