Weekly Update: After Crossover

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.