On Tuesday, April 22, HB 322 was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore and went into effect immediately.
This session, MML worked with Senator Cheryl Kagan and Delegate Greg Wims to introduce legislation in response to the State Board of Elections' (SBE) declaration in the fall of 2024 that SBE does not have the legal authority to enter agreements with municipalities to lease voting equipment or provide other support. Those bills were Senate Bill 88 and House Bill 322.
The 2025 Maryland General Assembly session concluded with significant legislative actions aimed at addressing a $3.3 billion budget deficit and preparing for potential federal funding cuts. The Administration and legislature implemented a combination of spending cuts and tax increases, including new taxes on high-income individuals, IT services, capital gains, recreational cannabis, and sports betting, generating $1.6 billion in revenue and resulting in $2 billion in cuts while maintaining a $2.1 billion rainy day fund. Key legislative accomplishments included a comprehensive energy package promoting diverse energy sources and providing rebates for electric ratepayers, $25 million in abortion support funding, a permanent subsidy program for young adult health insurance, expanded prescription drug price controls, and increased opportunities for sentencing reconsideration and criminal record expungement. Additionally, lawmakers established a commission to study reparations for slavery and approved new liability caps for sexual abuse cases. Finally, a new legislative panel will monitor federal developments to safeguard Maryland's economic stability, particularly given its reliance on federal jobs and contracts.
For more information on legislation directly impacting municipalities, join MML on April 23 at noon for a "Lunch and Learn: Legislative Wrap Up" webinar on the Maryland General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session. Registration and more information is available here.
This session, MML worked with Senator Cheryl Kagan and Delegate Greg Wims to introduce legislation in response to the State Board of Elections' (SBE) declaration in the fall of 2024 that SBE does not have the legal authority to enter agreements with municipalities to lease voting equipment or provide other support. Those bills were Senate Bill 88 and House Bill 322.
House Bill 322 received its final vote for passage around 8:30 p.m. on the final day of session, Sine Die. As emergency legislation, this new law will go into effect as soon as it is signed by the Governor. As amended, the bill also shortens the amount of lead time required to join the State ballot from 18 months to 9 months.
The Maryland Department of Labor announces two programs - one active and one upcoming - to provide funding to launch apprenticeship training programs for public sector workers. Local governments are eligible applicants for both programs. The Department of Labor is hosting a webinar on Thursday, April 17 to provide information and assistance with applications. Visit the EventBrite webpage where anyone can register to attend.
In the Maryland General Assembly, "crossover" refers to the point in the legislative session when bills must move from one chamber (either the House of Delegates or the Senate) to the other to continue in the legislative process. Crossover typically occurs around the end of the ninth week of the legislative session (usually in mid-March). After this deadline, bills that have not passed out of their originating chamber are considered "dead" for that year unless they are amended or revived in some way. Bills that cross over transition from the initial phase of the session, where bills are debated and modified, to the second phase, where bills are finalized and voted on by both chambers. This process ensures that both chambers have adequate time to review and debate bills originating in the other chamber.
So far this session, MML has taken positions on 211 bills. To see a complete list of which bills crossed over, click here.
Join MML and the Maryland Mayors for our inaugural Advocacy Day as we meet with state leadership, visit the State House, and attend delegation meetings.
March 6, 2025 - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Governor Calvert House, Annapolis, MD
The Maryland Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced that they are proposing an 18-month delay in implementation of Maryland’s paid family and medical leave insurance program, also known as the Time to Care Act (TCA). Key new dates would be:
· January 1, 2027 – Employer/employee contributions begin for the State TCA plan
The Moore Administration's 2025 housing bill, the Housing for Jobs Act (SB 430/HB 503), will be heard by both chambers on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. This measure aims to address regional housing infrastructure gaps. Key points include:
MML's position is Support with Amendments, and will be testifying in person. If you would like to participate - either in person, virtually, or through written testimony - or you have suggestions for amendments, please contact Angelica Bailey Thupari ([email protected]). The deadline to submit testimony is this Friday, February 28 by 6 p.m.
On Monday, Delegate Ryan Spiegel presented MML's priority legislation on local food and beverage authority to the House Ways & Means Committee. Delegate Spiegel, a past MML President, is the sponsor of HB 997, which would enable local jurisdictions to charge up to a 3% fee on food and beverages sold for on-site consumption.
In his testimony, Delegate Spiegel highlighted the fact that local governments have limited revenue tools and are already too reliant on property taxes. He also noted Maryland receives more than 43.5 million visitors each year who use local government services but whose spending doesn't support those same services. That burden falls almost exclusively on Maryland homeowners.
MML's priority legislation SB 390, which would allow trained technicians to review speed camera images and sign the citations, passed out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Friday by a vote of 7-1. The next steps are for the bill to move through procedural votes on the Senate floor, expected to be this week. Meanwhile, the House cross-file bill, HB 343, is scheduled for its hearing in the House Environment and Transportation Committee on Friday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Bill Jorch.
Last week, MML staff testified in the Maryland Senate and House on legislation (SB 88 / HB 322) to ensure the State Board of Elections (SBE) can continue to support municipal elections using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This legislation is the result of conversations that took place over the fall after SBE shared a memo with county Local Boards of Elections (LBEs) that ordered them to stop supporting municipal elections beyond providing voter rolls:
MML Priority Bills Heard in Senate Last Week; Both Seek New Authority
(February 3, 2024) Annapolis, MD. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), representing 160 local governments, testified in favor of two new local authorities last week. On Wednesday, local government leaders joined Senator Cory McCray in support of SB 324, which would enable local jurisdictions to adopt a local food and beverage fee. Later in the week, MML leadership and municipal police representatives joined Senator Will Smith in support of SB 390, which if passed, will allow non-officer staff to certify speed camera violations with appropriate training.
Stay informed and engaged.
The MML Bill Positions webpage has been updated for the 2025 legislative session. It contains up-to-date information on MML's key legislation that impacts our municipalities. You'll find bill text, information, status updates, and our organizations positions throughout session there.
MML’s priority legislation giving local jurisdictions the authority to levy a food and beverage fee, SB 324, has a hearing next week, January 29.
This bill would authorize municipalities and counties to charge up to 3% on on-site food and beverage purchases.
One of MML's legislative priorities in 2025 is to allow trained civilians to review speed camera images and issue citations. While this bill was introduced last year, it has two new sponsors this year; Delegate Vaughn Stewart, who is the chair of the Motor Vehicle Subcommittee, and Senator Will Smith, who is the chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. Recently, they formally introduced the bills, HB 343 and SB 390. In addition to these two great sponsors, Governor Moore publicly announced his support of the legislation at the MML Legislative Reception on January 8.
Next steps are the public hearings which have not yet been scheduled. For more information please contact Bill Jorch, [email protected].
The National League of Cities (NLC) has been asked to testify at the House Transportation Committee’s kickoff hearing to reauthorize the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on Wednesday, January 15 at 10 a.m. ET. IIJA significantly expanded the number of infrastructure programs local governments could access, but there is a need to protect the local-federal partnership programs in the face of limited federal funding and tough scrutiny in the renewal process. The NLC Research team has prepared a new local infrastructure priorities survey and needs responses before March 12. The goal is to have every state’s representation resulting in national report out of the nation’s most pressing city infrastructure needs and state-by-state breakouts for Senators and State Leagues for use for state-level work.
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a $1.35 billion increase in federal funding to address climate resilience nationwide. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell revealed that this funding is available through two critical grant programs: the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. These funds aim to enhance disaster preparedness, protect people and infrastructure, and mitigate flood risks nationwide.
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program offers $750 million for projects aimed at mitigating risks from natural hazards such as floods, hurricanes, and extreme heat. Maryland municipalities can leverage this funding to support initiatives like stormwater system upgrades, reinforcing public buildings, and developing green infrastructure to enhance resilience.
Relive the memories captured at MML events by visiting our newly created Flickr account. Access and download pictures of the Annual Legislative Opening Day Joint Reception and the Legislative Opening Day Photo Wall.
Setting Up Your myMGA Account
To submit testimony (oral, written, or informational) to the Maryland General Assembly, you must have a myMGA account. There are helpful tutorials for myMGA here.
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