The current legislative session commences with a $600 million deficit, primarily attributed to the approval of the unfunded mandate known as Kerwin. A standard session often involves the introduction of over 2,000 bills!
These are just a few of the thousands of bills introduced of which you should be aware. Visit this site regularly, as we are continuously updating the information as it becomes available.
Go to the form at the bottom of this page to get regular updates on this Session and any other issues that will affect you, and Let’s Make Maryland Free Again!
HB0001Paint Tax - additional fee when purchasing paints to cover the cost of disposal
HB0003Requiring local jurisdictions to establish and implement an expedited development review process for certain proposed affordable housing developments (Fiscal Note: This bill may impose a mandate on a unit of local government)
HB0007develop loans for mixed-income, cross-subsidized housing (Housing Innovation Pilot Program Act of 2024)
HB0058Baltimore County Speed Monitoring Systems in Residential Districts
HB0091prohibiting State purchases of gas-powered lawn equipment starting Jan 2025
HB0168basically a plastic tax (with fines and penalties too!) on producers that will be passed on to the taxpayer
HB0259increasing surcharge the District Court imposes in certain traffic cases
HB0266establish a bill of rights for unit owners of a condominium, members of a cooperative housing corporation, and lot owners of a homeowners association
HB0333Election Law - Election Disinformation on Large Social Media Platforms and Influence Related to Voting: gives Maryland State Board of Elections authority to prosecute based on alleged “misinformation” or “disinformation”
HB0426require all motion picture houses to offer closed captioning for each screening of a motion picture (Del. Bhandari)
HB0430require firearm owners to purchase $300,000 in liability insurance
HB0436lowering the voter registration age to 15 years 9 months
HB0473Higher Education - Undocumented Students - Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility: makes it easier for illegals to receive out-of-state tuition exemption (Jackson and Allen are co-sponsors)
HB0497altering the fee for nonresident sika deer stamps from $25 to $100
HB0538Affordable housing in land use when zoning and permitting
HB0562Increasing the license fee for a special Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license for nonresident license applicants from $50 to $100
HB0841require a water bottle filling station (that MUST include filter and cooling) be installed in new constructions (Del. Allen)
HB0694Requiring the Governor to appropriate $15,000,000 each year to the ENOUGH (Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households) grant program - Read the details on this mandated spending!
HB1022Election Law - Incarcerated Individuals - Voting Eligibility and Access (Voting Rights for All Act): Allows CRIMINALS convicted of a FELONY to vote!
HB1279Maryland Building Performance Standards - Fossil Fuel Use, Energy Conservation, and Electric- and Solar-Ready Standards (“Better Buildings” Act of 2024) - no fossil fuel use on new buildings!
HB1515Sales and Use Tax - Rate Reduction and Services - DON’T BE FOOLED, this regressive bill proposes lowering the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5%, BUT…it would simultaneously expand the sales tax to a bunch of everyday services that have never been taxed before…the result would be a sales tax increase of up to 50%! (Del. Moon)
SB0001 Would end the era in which Maryland consumers can shop for their electricity providers (just like we do for everything else). Makes BGE a monopoly!
SB0029Requiring a special election be held for any Maryland Delegate or Senate vacancy (also a mandate that Board of Elections pay 50% of any postage and mailing costs
SB0095increase in maximum hotel tax rate from 5% to 6% on Eastern Shore
SB0289increase from 5% to 15% the percentage of the administrative expenses of the Office of the Director of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation
SB0493Rank-choice voting beginning in the 2028 statewide primary, require the State Board of Elections must organize a voter education campaign, cover its costs, and conduct a post-primary survey to assess voter satisfaction with ranked-choice voting
SB0589increase from $900,000 to $1,000,000, the amount of an appropriation that the Governor is required to include in the annual budget bill each year (mandate)
SB0663Establishing a rebuttable presumption in certain child custody proceedings (Father’s Rights)
SJ0001urge the Biden Administration and US Congress to make Federal Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution
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Authority: Friends of Glen Geelhaar, Amanda Geelhaar Treasurer