This past Monday night, we passed the "crossover deadline" in Annapolis, the date by which bills passed from one chamber to the next are automatically referred to the other body's committee of jurisdiction. That means this week is a little calmer as we begin to take up Senate bills currently in the House. The state budget is also on the floor this week. Here is a brief update on legislation that I am the primary sponsor of. That said, the House considered hundreds of bills before crossover related to vaccinations, economic development, housing, public safety, childcare, and much more. And one bill that did not move forward that many of you have asked about is the Starter and Silver Homes Act related to housing.
The Local Boards of Education Transparency Act (HB 154): This legislation requires video streaming of local board of education meetings and other transparency measures has passed the House. Its Senate version, sponsored by Senator Cheryl Kagan, has passed that chamber as well.
Metro Funding Modification Act (HB 386): A re-commitment to Maryland's share of our regional Metro system's funding has passed the House. The Senate sponsor is Senator Malcolm Augustine.
Co-Op and Condo Energy Refund Equity Act (HB 702): This legislation seeks to correct an issue with last year's energy rebates that left master metered residents out of the program. Broader energy legislation has language to support master metered residents as part of other energy relief. Senator Sara Love has championed the Senate version.
Franchise Reform Act (HB 730): The bill reforms our state oversight of the business concept of franchising. The Senate bill--sponsored by Senator Pam Beidle--has passed that chamber and the bill has also passed the House.
Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act (HB 870): Maryland has an existing law for large buildings to reduce emissions. In order to make certain new buildings follow the law, the amended version of this bill ensures that the Maryland Department of the Environment gets early notice about such buildings and it has passed the House.
Land Transfer Accountability Act (HB 1009): Alongside Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, the bill attempted to bring some accountability to threatened federal land and building sales but needs significant work to be found constitutional.
Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act (HB 1081): The outcome of a work group, this bill provides several reforms to improve operations of the Maryland Transit Administration. The bill passed the House. The Senate bill--which passed but after the crossover deadline--is sponsored by Senator Cory McCray.
The Board of Public Works Climate Transparency Act (HB 1161): Sponsored by Senator Shelly Hettleman in the Senate, the bill would have required additional climate information related to contracts at the Board of Public Works. As I explained in this video, the goal of the bill was accomplished without legislation.
Villager of Drummonds Reforms (HB 1623): On behalf of the District 16 legislators, I introduced this local bill to update the charter of the Village of Drummond. The bill has passed the House.

BUDGET UPDATE
 
The House version of the fiscal year 2027 state budget is on the floor this week. The budget contains no tax or fee increases, but does "decouple" some state taxes from federal changes that have taken place (so existing law continues in Maryland). The general fund balance (surplus) is projected at almost $300 million, and the Rainy Day Fund remains at $2.2 billion. The toughest part of the budget is the cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). That agency has seen tremendous growth over the past few years with state tax dollars for DDA rising from $667 million in 2021 to $1.7 billion today. I think that increased investment is a good thing, but the federal government places limits on non-institutional care costs (known as cost neutrality) and if the state violates that limit then it could mean a significant loss of federal funding. Work on this issue will need to continue in the future. A summary report of the House version of the budget is available here and the full committee report can be found here.

POTOMAC INTERCEPTOR NEWS
DC Water held a public meeting in Bethesda last week on the Potomac Interceptor. You can watch that meeting here. As a reminder, we send out a Potomac Interceptor-specific email multiple times a week. If you would like to be added, please just reply here.

COMMUNITY NEWS
My condolences to the family and friends of L. Mark Winston, particularly his wife Bonnie and daughter Blair. I first got to know Mark and his family when he ran for Delegate in our district in 2010. We then worked closely together on a transit task force under County Executive Leggett. Mark was always generous in sharing his experience in running for local office, knowledge of transportation, and love of baseball. A celebration of life will be held on April 11th at 2pm at the Chevy Chase Women's Club.
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Congratulations to District 16 resident--and my neighbor--Reid Detchon on his reappointment to the Montgomery County Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee.
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Save the date! The Nesfield Performance Foundation is hosting its Metro Move Fest on Sunday, May 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School. Come out for a day of family-friendly fitness activities brought to you by local vendors and nonprofit organizations. Please direct questions to Tiffany Nesfield ([email protected]). 
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The next Purple Line Community Action Team Meeting for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area will be on Thursday, April 23rd at 6:00pm and will be held virtually. 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTEach week, I am profiling a non-Montgomery County legislator. This week, I want to highlight Delegate Anne Healey. Delegate Healey has served in the House since 1991 and currently sits on the Environment & Transportation Committee with me. She represents a district in Prince George's County. Anne is retiring at the end of this term and, as a tribute to her, we renamed a pedestrian safety bill--an issue she has been a dogged advocate on--in her honor.

​Dear Friend:
We are just a few days from the "crossover deadline" in Annapolis, the date by which bills passed from one chamber to the next are automatically referred to the other body's committee of jurisdiction. After crossover, bills that pass the House go to the Senate Rules Committee and vice versa. Many significant bills are moving through the process including those related to the budget; childcare; juvenile justice; and much more. But I will focus here on my own legislative agenda.
The Local Boards of Education Transparency Act (HB 154): This legislation requires video streaming of local board of education meetings and other transparency measures has already passed the House. Its Senate version, sponsored by Senator Cheryl Kagan, has passed that chamber as well.
Metro Funding Modification Act (HB 386): A re-commitment to Maryland's share of our regional Metro system's funding has passed the House. The Senate sponsor is Senator Malcolm Augustine.
Co-Op and Condo Energy Refund Equity Act (HB 702): This legislation seeks to correct an issue with last year's energy rebates that left master metered residents out of the program. Broader energy legislation has language to support master metered residents as part of other energy relief. Senator Sara Love has championed the Senate version.
Franchise Reform Act (HB 730): The bill reforms our state oversight of the business concept of franchising. The Senate bill--sponsored by Senator Pam Beidle--has passed that chamber and I am cautiously optimistic the House version will proceed.
Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act (HB 870): Maryland has an existing law for large buildings to reduce emissions. In order to make certain new buildings follow the law, the amended version of this bill--now moving through committee--ensures that the Maryland Department of the Environment gets early notice about such buildings.
Land Transfer Accountability Act (HB 1009): Alongside Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, the bill attempted to bring some accountability to threatened federal land and building sales but needs significant work to be found constitutional.
Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act (HB 1041): The outcome of a work group, this bill provides several reforms to improve operations of the Maryland Transit Administration. The House bill will be on the floor this coming week. The Senate bill is sponsored by Senator Cory McCray.
The Board of Public Works Climate Transparency Act (HB 1161): Sponsored by Senator Shelly Hettleman in the Senate, the bill would have required additional climate information related to contracts at the Board of Public Works. As I explained in this video, the goal of the bill was accomplished without legislation.
 
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
I was included on a recent podcast discussing transit issues in the state of Maryland. Listen here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/45db90a0
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As part of the state budget, we get a bimonthly report on Purple Line progress. The main charts are below. The report has a few key developments:
1. The report explains that "[a]lthough substantial construction completion is anticipated by late 2026, the system will undergo rigorous testing for more than one year beyond the construction completion date." This has always been the case, just not obvious from the reports.
2. The Capital Crescent Trail reopening has shifted to fall of 2026 (from summer of 2026 most recently). They are citing its use for construction access.
3. Much more detail is given on the dispute with the vendor regarding overhead utilities issues. The vendor is now citing a February 26, 2028 revenue service date. The state's milestones still have it in 2027.
The full report is here.

ENERGY UPDATE 
Last year, the new Speaker of the House moved energy issues over to the Environment & Transportation Committee. This occurred at a time of rising and challenging energy prices. After almost two months of digging into the issues, the committee has voted out a comprehensive bill that takes on the short, medium, and long term rate pressures on our bills. If you want to dig into the details, the first subcommittee meeting on the combined bill is available here. The second subcommittee meeting is available here. The full committee discussion is here. My comments at the press conference announcing that the House, Senate, and Governor all support the bill begin here.
 
BUDGET UPDATE
​The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates met recently to update their state government revenue forecasts. Income taxes are coming in relatively strong and there was an unexpected estate tax revenue increase, which will not recur. Federal tax changes are expected to impact corporate income taxes, so the state is being cautious there.
The main report is below and you can watch the presentation here.

DELEGATION UPDATE
 On most Fridays during the legislative session, the Montgomery County Delegation meets to go over local legislation. This past Friday, we were joined by Comptroller Brooke Lierman. The Delegation also passed a District 16 bill related to reforms for the Village of Drummond. You can watch the meeting here.
 
POTOMAC INTERCEPTOR NEWS 
As a reminder, we send out a Potomac Interceptor-specific email multiple times a week. If you would like to be added, please just reply here. DC Water is holding another public meeting tonight at Whitman High School at 6:30pm. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments also held an updated briefing, which you can watch here.

COMMUNITY NEWSCongratulations to District 16's River Paganini on being named the student member of the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.
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Save the date! The Nesfield Performance Foundation is hosting its Metro Move Fest on Sunday, May 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School. Come out for a day of family-friendly fitness activities brought to you by local vendors and nonprofit organizations. Please direct questions to Tiffany Nesfield ([email protected]). 
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The next Purple Line Community Action Team Meeting for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area will be on Thursday, April 23rd at 6:00pm and will be held virtually. 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTEach week, I am spotlighting a non-Montgomery County colleague in the House of Delegates. This week, I am spotlighting Delegate Robbyn Lewis. Robbyn serves on the Environment & Transportation Committee with me, where she currently chairs the Transportation Subcommittee (last year she chaired the Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee). She represents a district in Baltimore and is known as one of our two "car free" members of the House of Delegates. I am considered a fairly avid advocate for transit in our state, but Robbyn gives me a run for my money.

​Ever since I first ran, oversight of--and investment in--our regional Metro system (the Washington Metropolitan Transit Administration or WMATA) has been a major priority. So I was thrilled that last week the House of Delegates passed Maryland's part of a regional Metro funding agreement on a bipartisan basis. The legislation now awaits action in the State Senate. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 
A few of my other bills are working their way through the legislative process. The Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act has been voted out of subcommittee and will be before the full House Environment & Transportation Committee this week. And the Senate version of the Franchise Reform Act was voted out of committee on a bipartisan basis. Finally, my late legislation to reform the Village of Drummond's charter has passed out of the local Montgomery County committee and will be before the full Montgomery County Delegation on Friday. Because the bill was late, it also needed to be voted out of the House Rules Committee which occurred earlier this week.
 
BUDGET UPDATE
The Governor has released his first supplemental budget. The good news is that he corrected some issues in his original budget, specifically those related to behavioral health. Unfortunately, it compounded an issue with a phonics reading program I worked with a constituent to create. I am advocating with my colleagues in the General Assembly to fund the program.
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One of the biggest issues we are trying to address in the Governor's budget is funding for some of our most vulnerable Marylanders through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). The budget analysis for DDA is now available and can be found here.
 
DELEGATION UPDATE
On most Fridays during the legislative session, the Montgomery County Delegation meets to go over local legislation. This past Friday, we were joined by Montgomery County Public Schools. You can watch the meeting here.
 
POTOMAC INTERCEPTOR NEWS
As a reminder, we send out a Potomac Interceptor-specific email multiple times a week. If you would like to be added, please just reply here. One good piece of news this past week is that DC Water added two testing sites in response to community advocacy (and advocacy from elected officials) at Sycamore Island and the Feeder Channel at Lock 6.

 COMMUNITY NEWS
 
Congratulations to District 16's Susie Turnbull on being named to the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame.
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Congratulations to Jack Deutsch and Bobby Pestronk on their volunteer recognition from the Little Falls Watershed Alliance.
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Save the date! The Nesfield Performance Foundation is hosting its Metro Move Fest on Sunday, May 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School. Come out for a day of family-friendly fitness activities brought to you by local vendors and nonprofit organizations. Please direct questions to Tiffany Nesfield ([email protected]). 
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This summer, the Red Line will be shut down between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations for significant maintenance and Purple Line work at Bethesda. Metro is working with state and local officials to create a bus bridge between the stations and the County held a briefing on the plan which you can read about here.
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The next Purple Line Community Action Team Meeting for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area will be on Thursday, April 23rd at 6:00pm and will be held virtually. 

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
March is Women's History Month and I want to recognize the incredible women leaders who have represented District 16.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
 
Each week this legislative session, I am profiling non-Montgomery County legislators. This week, in honor of Women's History Month, I am highlighting Delegate Dana Jones. Dana is chair of our legislative Women's Caucus and represents Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. She joined the General Assembly during the height of COVID. We also have a shared love of books and libraries.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Last week, I had five bill hearings on the Co-Op and Condo Energy Refund Equity Act, the Franchise Reform Act, Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act, the Land Transfer Accountability Act, and the Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act. These bills cover a range of topics including affordability, economic development, the environment, pushing back on what the federal government is doing, and transportation. And I will note that several of these proposals were developed with the assistance of constituents.
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Working with the rest of the District 16 Delegation, I have also gotten an additional bill introduced on behalf of the Village of Drummond to update their out of date charter. The bill will have a virtual hearing before the Montgomery County Delegation later this week.

DELEGATION UPDATE
On most Fridays during the legislative session, the Montgomery County Delegation meets to go over local legislation. This past Friday, we were joined by Senator Chris Van Hollen. You can watch the meeting here.
DISTRICT 16 NIGHT IN ANNAPOLIS
The District 16 Delegation is hosting District 16 Night in Annapolis on this upcoming Monday, March 9th, starting at 6:00pm in the Lowe House Office Building. If you are interested in attending, just click reply to this email.

POTOMAC INTERCEPTOR NEWS
DC Water, WSSC, Maryland Department of the Environment and others held a public meeting last week regarding the Potomac Interceptor. You can watch the public meeting here.
As a reminder, we send out a Potomac Interceptor-specific email multiple times a week. If you would like to be added, please just reply here.

APPOINTMENTS NEWS
District 16 has two appointees to the Montgomery County Building Performance Improvement Board. Kevin Walton has been reappointed and Bill Bien has been appointed to the board.
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The Governor sent down his "green bag" appointments last week. These are his appointments to multiple state boards and commissions. District 16 appointments include:
-WIlliam Zeid, Architectural Review
-Aslim Abdullah, Dental Examiners
-Cedric (Henry) Watson, Elevator Safety Review
-Robert Bajefsky Hangun Roster
-Paula Collins, St. Mary's College Board
-Ryan Frederic TEDCO Board of Directors
-Bei Ma Venture Fund Authority Nichelle Schoultz Commission for Women 

COMMUNITY NEWS
​The next Purple Line Community Action Team Meeting for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area will be on Thursday, April 23rd at 6:00pm and will be held virtually. 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
​Each week this legislative session, I am profiling non-Montgomery County legislators. This week is a two-for-one because these two members work closely together as Chair and Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and the Environment: Courtney Watson and Mark Edelson.
Delegate Watson is from Howard County and previously served on their County Council. She served as my Vice Chair when I was chair of what is now her subcommittee. Delegate Edelson is from Baltimore City and we actually know each other from law school predating our service together. Together, these two Delegates have been leaders in the House on transportation funding and oversight--with the occasional assist from me.