Your 7th District Update

Dear Friends:

We kicked off this week with the return of our annual District 7 Night in Annapolis. It was great to finally be able to host a district event in Annapolis that not only provided me with a welcomed opportunity to catch up with new and old friends from Baltimore and Harford Counties but also allowed attendees to watch the evening session from the gallery and hear this year’s Lincoln Day Address - a tradition where a Republican member of the Senate delivers a commemoration for President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday which was February 12th. 

The Committees have been hard at work, holding bill hearings, committee voting sessions, briefings, and workgroups. Below is a list of bills heard this week and upcoming scheduled hearings in the Senate. 

THIS WEEK'S SENATE COMMITTEE HEARINGS

Senate Bill 267 - Internet Gaming – Authorization & Implementation

The Senate Budget & Taxation Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 267 on Wednesday, February 15th. SB 267 asks a November 2024 ballot question to Maryland voters whether to allow people to access a full casino experience over the internet.  

Currently, casino games are limited to in-person. Under this bill, casinos would be able to apply for online gaming licenses, which will cost $500,000 and last five years under the bill. Licensed companies would keep 85% of profits from internet gaming, with 15% of proceeds earmarked for Education Trust Fund.  

Senate Bill 354/House Bill 316 - Income Tax Checkoff - Maryland Veterans Trust Fund

Senate Bill 354 was heard in the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee on Wednesday, February 15th. This bill establishes a checkoff box on Maryland’s income tax return form that would allow individuals to voluntarily donate a portion of their tax refund directly to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund which assists veterans and their families with short-term financial issues.

Senate Bill 286 - Department of Veterans Affairs - Burial in State Veterans' Cemeteries - Spouses

Senate Bill 286 was heard in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on Tuesday, February 14th. This bill would allow eligible spouses of veterans to be buried in a State veterans’ cemetery for free.

Senate Bill 32 - Property Tax - Exemption for Dwellings of Disabled Veterans - Application

Senate Bill 32 unanimously passed the Senate and has moved to the Maryland House of Delegates for consideration. This bill broadens the types of qualified documentation allowed on the application process of a property tax exemption for a house owned by a disabled veteran or their surviving spouse.

Senate Bill 364/House Bill 618 - Property Tax Credit –Dwellings of Public Safety Officers – Retired Personnel

Senate Bill 364 was heard before the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee on Wednesday, February 15th. This bill proposes to extend the property tax credit definition of a public safety officer to include retired public safety professionals, not just those working full time. 

Senate Bill 344 - Income Tax - Caregiver Tax Credit

Senate Bill 344 was heard before the Budget & Taxation Committee on Wednesday, February 15th. This bill provides family caregivers whose federally adjusted gross income does not exceed $75,000 ($150,000 if filing jointly) a credit against their state income tax equal to 30% of eligible expenses that exceed $2000 in value, up to a maximum credit of $5,000.

UPCOMING HEARING ALERTS

EDUCATION

Senate Bill 551/House Bill 546 - Education - Service Year Option Program - Establishment (Serving Every Region Through Vocational Exploration Act of 2013)

SB 551 will be heard before the Senate Education, Energy & Environment Committee on Wednesday, February 22nd. This bill establishes a state program to provide a service year option for high school graduates to work for community organizations or nonprofit groups. Moreover, this program requires participants to work at least 30 hours per week, be paid $15 per hour, and authorizes the Department of Service & Civic Innovation to disburse a stipend of up to $3,000 to a Program participant who completes the service year.

Senate Bill 475 - Workgroup on the MARYLAND529 Prepaid College Trust Program

SB 475 will be heard before the Senate Education, Energy & Environment Committee on Wednesday, February 22nd. This bill establishes a workgroup to identify the policies and make recommendations to address the issues that led to the miscalculated formula and Maryland529 account holders’ inability to access their earnings.

Senate Bill 321/House Bill 510 - Public Schools - Length of School Year and Innovative School Scheduling Models - Revisions

SB 321 will be heard in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on Wednesday, February 22nd. This bill permits the County School Boards to explore new schooling models, such as: year-round schooling or 4-day school weeks.

Senate Bill 338 - Primary & Secondary Education - Extended School Year Innovation Grant

SB 338 will be heard by the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee on Wednesday, February 22nd. This bill establishes an annual $25 million grant program to fund year-round schooling that prioritizes grant awards to primary schools and schools with documented learning loss that includes at least one school from a rural, a suburban and an urban area.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Senate Bill 414/House Bill 788 - Commission to Advance & Strengthen Fire Fighting Within Maryland

SB 414 will be heard before the Education, Energy & Environment Committee on Tuesday, February 21st. This bill creates a Commission to study and make recommendations regarding how best to attract, support and retain Marylanders in fire fighting.

TAXES

Senate Bill 418/House Bill 592 - Property Tax - Agricultural land & Improvements - Assessments 

SB 418 will be heard before the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee on Wednesday, February 22nd. This bill requires the State Department of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT) to properly assess certain agricultural improvements - such as equine activities, alcohol production, agritourism - as agriculture rather than commercial property.

Senate Bill 432 - Inheritance Tax - Repeal

SB 432 will be heard before the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee on Wednesday, February 22nd. This bill repeals the inheritance tax applied to descendants dying after June 30th, 2023.