General Overview of Statewide Key Legislation
(Bill numbers shown in bold indicates the bill awaits signature of the Governor)
Built to Learn Act of 2020 – SB001-HB001
The Act provides over two million dollars, over the next five years, for construction and renovation of schools throughout Maryland.The Maryland Stadium Authority is authorized to issue revenue bonds backed by annual payments from the Education Trust Fund.
Blueprint for Maryland’s Future-Implementation – SB1000-HB1300
With a projected cost of roughly 32 billion dollars, this legislation overhauls the state’s education system based upon the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission. The legislation addresses the need to recruit and retain qualified teachers, establish a process to manage student behavioral issues in conjunction with the educational process and is intended to transform Maryland’s early childhood, primary and secondary levels of educations into the high-performing levels of education worldwide.
Historically Black College and Universities-Funding – SB1043-HB1260
Effective July 1, 2020, a total of 577 million dollars will be provided to Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) between fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2031. Some of the provisions are dependent upon the completion of a final settlement agreement in connection with the current lawsuit.
Discrimination-Definition of Race-Hair Texture and Styles-SB531-HB1444
This legislation bans discrimination against people with hairstyles associated with certain racial groups. Employees are required to following reasonable workplace appearance and grooming standards that apply to specific standards.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act-SB530-HB231
This Act supports renters as it prohibits residential discrimination based upon the income source used to pay rent.
Criminal Law-Assault in the First Degree-Strangulation-SB212-HB233
This legislation carries as a penalty up to 25 years in prison and is an expansion of the definition of felony first-degree assault to include intentional strangulation.
Peace Orders and Protective Orders-Extention-SB227-HB250
This makes petitions to extend an existing peace or protective order automatic when the hearing for the extension is not held by the time the original order expires.
Crimes-Hate Crimes-Use of an Item or Symbol to Threaten or Intimidate-SB161 -HB5
The legislation prohibits the placement or inscription of threatening symbols or items such as a swastika or noose on public or private property without the expressed permission of the owner/owners of the property. The penalties for a violation includes up to three years in prison and/or a fine up to five thousand dollars ($5,000).
State Budget-Revenue Stabilization Account Transfers-Coronavirus-SB1079-HB1661
This emergency legislation authorizes the governor to transfer up to 50 million dollars from the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” to state agencies to respond to COVID-19. The emergency legislation was a state budget amendment and expires June 30, 2021.
Prince George’s County Delegation’s Key Legislation
(All bills await the signature of the Governor)
Marriage License Fee-Distribution of Proceeds HB1409
Requiring the Director of Finance for Prince George's County to distribute certain proceeds from a marriage license fee to the Community Crisis Services, Inc.; requiring certain proceeds from a marriage license fee to be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs if the Community Crisis Services, Inc., changes its name or objectives or ceases to exist.
Limitation on Applicant Campaign Contributions HB282
This repeals the prohibition ofan applicant,or applicant's agent,from making a payment to the County Executive of Prince George's County or to a slate that includes the County Executive during the pendency of certain applications.
Speed Monitoring Systems-Maryland Route 210 (Indian Head Highway) HB275
Repealing the requirement that certain revenue collected by Prince George's County as a result of violations recorded by speed monitoring systems on Maryland Route 210 (Indian Head Highway) be deposited into the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund and requiring that the revenue be credited to the State Highway Administration to be used solely for certain safety-related purposes related to Maryland Route 210 in Prince George's County; and repealing a certain funding source for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
Alcoholic Beverages-Carillon Development HB845
This authorizes the Board of License Commissioners for PrinceGeorge's County to issue up to 10 Class B-DD licenses for restaurants located within the Carillon development.This development area is the residential and business area located near the Regional Hospital property under construction in Largo.
WSSC Discrimination Prohibited HB1560
Prohibitsthe Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission from discriminating against a person based upon genetic information or the presence of children; and requiresthat a certain nondiscrimination provision in contracts entered into by the Commission prohibit certain discrimination based on genetic information.
Multiphase Economic Development Projects and Sunset Repeal HB434
Authorizing the owner of an economic development project and the governing body of Prince George's County to enter into multiple payment in lieu of taxes agreements for different phases of an economic development project; providing that the term of an agreement may not exceed 15 years from the date a certificate of occupancy is first issued for any phase of a project; requiring, by January 1 each year, that a report on certain projects be submitted to the Prince George's County Delegation in the General Assembly.
Foundation for Applied Construction Technology for Students HB1401
Adds an exemption from the Prince George's County school facilities surcharge for single-family dwelling units to be built by the Foundation for Applied Construction Technology for Students.
Bi-county Commissions-Conflict of Interest andLobbying HB370
Requiring certain bi-county commissions to report on conflict of interest issues and regulations during the previous calendar year on or before April 30 each year; requiring certain bi-county commissions to report on lobbyingbefore the bi-county commission and regulation of that lobbying for the previous calendar year on or before April 30 each year; and requiring certain bi-county commissions to publish the reports on the website of the bi-county commission.
Cooperative Housing Corporations, Condominiums and Homeowners Associations-Reserve Studies HB254
Requiring the governing body of certain cooperative housing corporations in Prince George's County to have a study conducted of the reserves needed for future major repairs and replacement of common elements of the cooperative housing corporation by a certain date and at certain intervals under certain circumstances; requiring the annual budget of a cooperative housing corporation in Prince George's County to provide reserve funds in the annual budget for the cooperative housing corporation in accordance with the reserve study.
