Seven Days ‘til Sine Die

11 hours ago
3 min read

This week is the annual sprint to Sine Die. Lots will happen over the next few days—including important work on the Utility RELIEF Act—but many important decisions and votes have already been made and taken.

Last week I had the honor of being the Floor Manager for my fellow D20 Delegate Jheanelle Wilkin’s “Good Cause” eviction protection legislation. It passed Second Reader and just passed the House last night before heading over to the Senate.

Here is the current status of most of my bills:

* Climate and Energy

Data Center Capacity (HB 940): This bill has been incorporated into the Speaker’s Utility RELIEF Act, which has passed the House and Senate in different forms and will be negotiated into its final form over the next week.
Grid-Enhancing Technologies (HB 40/SB 201): This bill has also been added to the Utility RELIEF Act, same as above.
Community Choice Aggregation Pilot (MC 2-26): This has been passed by the House and is expected to pass in the Senate.

* Economic Issues

Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act (HB 188/SB 3): This legislation is unlikely to pass yet again this year. Nevertheless, I will persist.

* Immigration and Federal Overreach

Data Protection in Federal Immigration Actions (HB 711): passed House; awaiting action in the Senate.
Aviation Health and Safety Act (HB 639): passed House; awaiting action in the Senate.
No Kings Act (HB 332): This bill has been added to the Digital Unmasking Act. It has been passed by the House, awaiting action in the Senate.

* Food Systems

Food Forests and Foraging (HB 72): This is unlikely to pass this year, but it’s a food fight I will continue to pursue!
Local Food for MoCo Schools (MC 7-26): passed House; awaiting action in the Senate.

* Public Safety and Consumer Protection

Fire Safety Training and Standards (HB 149): passed House; awaiting action in the Senate.
Individual Water Readers (HB 220/SB 130): passed in House and Senate, but each chamber needs to pass it and send it back over.

* Education, Mental Health, and Housing

Full-Time Pay for MoCo Board of Education Members (MC 2-26): passed Montgomery County Delegation, but still awaiting action in the full House.
Mental Health Quality In Forensic Aftercare (HB 658): passed House and Senate in different forms, will align both over the next week.
Limited Equity Co-Op Conversion (HB 85): passed House, awaiting action in the Senate.

Increasing Oversight and Accountability of State-Funded Programs

The House recently passed a package of bills to increase accountability in state-funded programs. Government programs must work better for the people who pay for them. HB 1369, HB 1422, and HB 1557 ensure that every single taxpayer dollar is respected, tracked, and put to work the way it’s supposed to be.

We’re putting better systems in place to follow through on audits, strengthen financial leadership, and bring more transparency to big-ticket decisions—especially contracts and real estate deals that can cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Strengthening Health Systems and Child Protection

The House of Delegates also passed legislation to increase accountability when people are at their most vulnerable: within health facilities and child protection systems. HB 1420, HB 1372, HB 1559, HB 980, and HB 1563 will help to ensure health care providers have been properly vetted and families can trust the quality of a nursing home or health facility before a loved one enters it. They make sure a child in crisis is placed in a safe, licensed setting—not a hotel or an overcrowded emergency room.

D20 Breakfast Club: Sunday, April 26th

Join me and my fellow D20 state colleagues for a recap of this year’s legislative session. It will be held at El Golfo Restaurant in Silver Spring on Sunday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. You can listen for free; enjoy with a meal for $20. RSVP to https://forms.gle/oSzTLJuyuTfn1ojq5.