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Accomplishments

Over the past eight years, I have been proud to serve as the lead Senate sponsor for 67 bills that have passed the General Assembly, as well as to have secured over $350 million in State funding for projects in our District.  You can read more below about these successes, as well as numerous other bills that I have worked with other legislators and our local governments to pass.

2026 Legislative Session

In the 2026 Session, I worked to secure State funding for local projects and organizations, including:

  • the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland
  • the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department
  • the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
  • the Greenwell Foundation
  • the Innovative Center for Autonomous Systems
  • the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
  • the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home EMS Facility
  • Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities in St. Mary’s County 

I was also able to again ensure continued full funding for the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission through the budget process.  Additionally, I obtained funding to support our watermen through the Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund as well as supplemental funding for the marketing and promotion of Maryland’s oyster industry.

Sponsored Legislation – I was proud to sponsor and pass the below bills during this legislative session which will be presented to the Governor for his signature:

House Bill 613/Senate Bill 368 will provide shoreline property owners who want to protect their property against erosion with clear, consistent, and transparent standards for what is considered a living shoreline and when State law requires a living shoreline or nonstructural shoreline stabilization measure be constructed.  Under the bill, the Maryland Department of the Environment must establish a scoring system for evaluating requests for waivers from the State’s living shoreline requirement and consult with local soil conservation districts when considering whether to grant waivers to these projects.

House Bill 1063/Senate Bill 643 gives the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) discretion over further expansion of Sunday hunting in Maryland.  The bill requires any regulations adopted by DNR to allow, at a minimum, Sunday hunting during those hours and days when it is permitted as of June 30, 2027.  These provisions would sunset in 2030 to allow the General Assembly to evaluate the effects of this change.  The bill also allows DNR to authorize the reduction of the deer population on any single, contiguous property of at least 10 acres where it has documented deer damage.

Economic Development

Senate Bill 558 makes permanent the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program to provide funding for oyster propagation and replenishment projects.  It also creates the Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance, including loans, to commercial watermen and small businesses in the seafood industry.  This fund has been created in response to the many challenges our State’s watermen have faced over the past year, including the impact of the cold winter on oyster harvesting and the effects of the Potomac River sewage spill on consumer demand for oysters.

Senate Bill 807 revises provisions of law governing Maryland’s farm breweries to support our farmers and encourage the lasting success of these small agritourism businesses in Maryland. 

Environment and Natural Resources

Senate Bill 166 creates an administrative process to suspend or revoke the licenses of individuals participating in shellfish aquaculture if they commit egregious violations of State law.  The provisions of this bill are modeled after the existing statute for tidal fish licensees who hold an oyster authorization and are intended to ensure equal treatment under the law for all Maryland oyster license holders.

First Responders

Senate Bill 101 expands eligibility for the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Police Officers and Probation Agents and the Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agents Scholarship Program to include correctional officers.

Senate Bill 185 has passed as Senate Bill 607.  This bill will increase the tax deduction for retirement income attributable to an individual’s employment as a public safety employee from $15,000 to $20,000 over the next five years.  This bill is intended to match the increase to the tax deduction for military retirement income that became law in 2023.

Senate Bill 647 provides a disability allowance to be paid to a police officer who is found to be disabled in the line of duty and unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity equal to 100% of the member’s annual compensation at the time their injury occurred.

Education

Senate Bill 292 makes permanent provisions of law that created a framework to allow local school systems to use alternative forms of transportation for certain groups of students for whom it would be infeasible or impractical to use traditional school buses.  With the repeal of this sunset, this law will continue to benefit all of Maryland’s students, particularly students with special needs and those who live in rural areas of the State.

Other Legislation

Senate Bill 135 passed as part of Senate Bill 35.  This bill was introduced at the request of the Calvert Marine Museum, the State’s Paleontology Collection and Research Center, to add the Megalodon to our State’s symbols as the State Shark.

Senate Bill 357 ensures that charitable organizations allowed to operate gaming devices in St. Mary’s County are able to be licensed by the County in a manner similar to the County’s existing bingo license.  This legislation does not give the County the authority to charge a fee for this license and is intended to protect the ability of our local charitable organizations to use gaming devices.  Most other Maryland counties have a similar licensing program, leading to confusion when these organizations are being checked for compliance with State and local gaming laws by agencies outside of the County.

Co-Sponsored Legislation – In addition to these bills, I was proud to co-sponsor other important legislation that passed this session:

Senate Bill 136 expands the applicability of the State’s collective bargaining law to include police officers of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) who, in an official capacity, are authorized to make arrests and are not a supervisory, managerial, or confidential employee.  This legislation resolves an inconsistency in the law caused by the establishment of the ATCC in 2019.

Local Legislation – In addition to these bills, I also worked to secure passage of eight bills that are specific to St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties that were requested by our local governments:

St. Mary’s County

House Bill 600 – St. Mary’s County – Metropolitan Commission

House Bill 668 – St. Mary’s County – Prohibition on Standing in Inherently Dangerous Highway

Calvert County

House Bill 1095 – Calvert County – Property Tax Credit – Tobacco Barns

House Bill 1155 – Calvert County – Procurement – Long-Term Contracts for Infrastructure and Asset Management

House Bill 1156 – Calvert County – Length of Service Award Program – Benefits

House Bill 1160 – Calvert County – CalvertHealth Medical Center

House Bill 1513 – Calvert County – Public Facilities Bonds

House Bill 1514 – Calvert County – County Officials and Board of Education – Salaries and Benefits

2025 Legislative Session

In the 2025 Session, I worked to secure State funding for local projects and organizations, including:

  • the Pascal Crisis Stabilization Center which will be located in St. Mary’s County
  • the labor and delivery area of the Family Birth Center at CalvertHealth Medical Center
  • expanded fuel capacity at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport
  • solar panels for the Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad
  • improvements to St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge No. 2092
  • Annmarie Gardens
  • the Great Mills YMCA
  • replacement of the doors of the historic White House at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home

In addition, I was also able work with my colleagues and the Southern Maryland agricultural community to ensure continued funding for the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission through the budget process.

Sponsored Legislation – I was proud to sponsor and pass the below bills during this legislative session:

Public Safety

House Bill 674/Senate Bill 394 prohibits a person from knowingly and willfully dismembering, destroying, removing, burying, disposing of, or otherwise obliterating by any means any portion of human remains with the intent to conceal a crime.  A person who violates this law is guilty of a felony and can receive up to five years in prison.

Economic Development

Senate Bill 363 expands the ability of the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) to provide loans under the Oyster Shucking House Loan Program.

Senate Bill 544 authorizes food establishments that are agritourism businesses, Class 4 limited wineries, or Class 8 farm breweries to comply with the requirement in State law to provide a convenient lavatory using a portable toilet.  Many of these businesses do not currently have the facilities required to comply with State laws for food establishments, and some of these businesses are in rural zoning areas or are on preserved farmland and therefore do not have the opportunity to build permanent restrooms.  This bill will give these small business owners more flexibility in complying with the law.

Natural Resources

Senate Bill 23 exempts licensed auctioneers from having to obtain a dealer’s license in order to auction a boat in Maryland.  This matches the current exemption in law for auctioneers who auction vehicles and will make it easier for Marylanders to find professionals willing to auction their boats.

House Bill 893/Senate Bill 76 protects the due process rights of commercial watermen by limiting the length of time that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may suspend their authorization to catch oysters for a first administrative violation under State law.

House Bill 857/Senate Bill 100 permits DNR to allow a hunter who wounds a deer during legal hunting hours to pursue and kill the deer after legal hunting hours.  This gives hunters the ability to ensure that a deer that they wound is dispatched humanely, rather than being left to die from its injuries or attacked by predatory animals such as coyotes.

Senate Bill 186 establishes the Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program to curb the spread of the invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.  As part of this pilot program, DNR must authorize the use of finfish trotlines south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the maximum extent feasible to harvest blue catfish where it would not significantly affect other fish species or cause user conflicts.

Senate Bill 335 requires the bag limit for all Canada geese to be uniform across the State, outside of Western Maryland, during the 30-day migratory Atlantic population Canada goose hunting season for the next five years.

Local Legislation – In addition to these bills, I also worked to secure passage of nine bills that are specific to St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties that were requested by our local governments or communities:

St. Mary’s County

Senate Bill 623 – St. Mary’s County – Public Facilities Bond

House Bill 476 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Class A License Quota

House Bill 480 – St. Mary’s County – County Plans – Public Sewerage Systems and Water Supply Systems

House Bill 485 – St. Mary’s County – Corrections

House Bill 486 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Civil Penalty for Sales Violations

House Bill 490 – St. Mary’s County – Competitive Bidding – Threshold

House Bill 491 – St. Mary’s County – Metropolitan Commission – Discontinuance of Service

House Bill 574 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages Licenses – Multiple Licensing Plans

Calvert County

Senate Bill 767 – Calvert County Sheriff – Deputy Sheriffs and Correctional Deputies – Collective Bargaining

2024 Legislative Session

In the 2024 Session, I worked to secure State funding for local projects and organizations, including:

  • needed road repairs and improvements for the community of Longview Beach
  • a new turf field for St. Mary’s Ryken High School
  • the construction of a mental health facility for Southern Maryland to be located in St. Mary’s County to address the behavioral health needs of our residents
  • the Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department
  • the Innovative Center for Autonomous Systems at St. Mary’s Airport
  • Historic Sotterley
  • the Three Oaks Center Homeless Shelter Shower Project
  • Historic St. Mary’s City

In addition, I was also able to obtain funds through a legislative request in the Operating Budget for the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) to go toward the Commission’s efforts to restore oyster habitats in the Potomac River.

Sponsored Legislation – I was proud to sponsor and pass the below bills during this legislative session:

Public Safety

Senate Bill 7 requires police agencies to keep a record of positive feedback that the agencies receive about its officers and allow the release of that information under the Maryland Public Information Act.  This ensures that police departments and the public would have access to the full picture of an officer’s record, not just the alleged complaints which are public as a result of police accountability legislation passed in 2021.

Senate Bill 108 increases the current deduction for police auxiliaries and reserve volunteers from $5,000 to $7,000 to match the deduction for volunteer fire, rescue, and EMS members. This bill also ensures that any increases in the future will be uniform for our public safety volunteers.

Senate Bill 130 strengthens penalties for indecent exposure within the presence of a minor in Maryland.  This legislation changes the penalties to a maximum of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 in cases involving indecent exposure with prurient intent when a person knows or should know a minor is present.

Senate Bill 166 requires the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to study and create a plan to implement a Waterway Incident Notification System that would notify members of the public, including recreational boaters and commercial watermen, of waterway emergencies.  This would be similar to an Amber, Silver, or Local Emergency Alert specifically to notify boaters on the waterways.

Supporting Our Local Small Businesses

Senate Bill 32 ensures that Maryland watermen who hold commercial licenses from the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) are eligible for the Maryland Watermen’s Microloan Program in the same manner as a resident who holds a commercial license from the State.  This legislation also includes provisions to allow oyster shucking houses to have access to a separate microloan program intended to benefit seafood processing projects in our State.

Senate Bill 183 ensures that suppliers for State projects are compensated appropriately and promptly.  This bill was introduced following many discussions with owners of local small businesses who were not paid timely for their work or materials on State projects; this lack of payment contributed to delays on the Leonardtown Route 5 expansion project.

Senate Bill 589 increases the State’s annual funding for the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) from $900,000 to $1,000,000.  This legislation also guarantees future State support for this important resource for Southern Maryland farmers.

Veterans

Senate Bill 712 was introduced based on recommendations from the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that reporting mechanisms align with the Department’s procedures in responding to any reports or allegations of the mistreatment of residents at State-owned nursing homes, such as Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

Senate Bill 1178 removes vague language in the statute governing the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship that was denying some veterans of these conflicts access to this scholarship.

Public Health

Senate Bill 117 will limit any regulatory delays in implementing life-saving newborn screenings for rare diseases and is intended to save the lives of children across our State. 

Natural Resources

Senate Bill 207 renames the snakehead as the “Chesapeake Channa,” with the intention of making it easier to market to consumers.  This has the potential to increase demand and lead to a greater economic incentive for Marylanders to remove this invasive species from our waterways.

Senate Bill 507 creates a separate $100 Special Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License for non-resident applicants.  The $50 boat license fee remained unchanged for Maryland residents.

Senate Bill 508 sets the fee for a nonresident Sika deer stamp at $200.  The $10 Sika deer stamp fee remains unchanged for Maryland resident hunters.

Other Legislation

Senate Bill 316 allows counties and municipalities to designate roadways under their jurisdiction that an individual can operate a golf cart.  This authority had been a priority of the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County for the last four years.

Senate Bill 429 codifies provisions of State law governing the organization of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Diocese of Washington in Maryland at their request.

Co-Sponsored Legislation and Other Notable Bills – In addition to these bills, I was proud to co-sponsor and work on other important legislation sponsored by other legislators that passed this session:

Senate Bill 1101 allows students who receive financial aid from the Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agents Scholarship Program to use their award at a community college in addition to the State’s public four-year institutions.  I worked with my colleagues to change this law after learning that only about $17,000 of the $8.5 million set aside for this program in the previous fiscal year had been used.  It is my hope that expanding access to this scholarship program will help with the recruitment and retention of police officers in Maryland.

House Bill 805 includes provisions altering a portion of last year’s cannabis legalization law that exempted certain cannabis facilities from needing to be approved by a county or municipal zoning board.  These provisions are based on and accomplish the same goal as Senate Bill 158, which I introduced in response to the concerns of the residents of the 7th District regarding the potential major expansion of the cannabis facility being built in the Critical Area in Abell.  This legislation includes other revisions to the zoning provisions in last year’s cannabis reform bill, including ensuring that local governments have flexibility to establish distance limitations between cannabis dispensaries and residential areas.

Senate Bill 516 establishes the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission to promote innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace opportunities.  Representatives of St. Mary’s County government and I worked with the sponsors of this legislation to incorporate amendments which support and grow the aerospace industry, which a key part of our local economy in District 29.

Senate Bill 574 extends the State’s sales tax exemption for materials, parts, or equipment used to repair, maintain, or upgrade aircraft or the avionics systems of an aircraft. This legislation directly impacts St. Mary’s County Airport and the related businesses.

Local Legislation – In addition to these bills, I also worked to secure passage of six bills that are specific to St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties that were requested by our local governments or communities:

St. Mary’s County

House Bill 651 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Beer, Wine, and Liquor Tasting Permit

House Bill 654 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Nonprofit Performing Arts Theater License

Calvert County

Senate Bill 114 – Workgroup to Study the Fiscal and Operational Viability of Public-Private Partnerships for Calvert County Public Schools

House Bill 766 – Calvert County – Roadside Solicitation of Money or Donations – Prohibition

House Bill 834 – Calvert County – Ethics – Conflict of Interest and Commissioner Expulsion

House Bill 835 – Calvert County – Procurement – Local Preference

2023 Legislative Session

In the 2023 Session, I worked to secure State funding for local projects and organizations, including:

  • Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
  • improvements to the press box at Great Mills High School
  • construction of the new Regional Agricultural Center
  • a new Da Vinci Machine for CalvertHealth Medical Center
  • Bay District Volunteer Fire Department
  • Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
  • improvements for Annmarie Gardens
  • renovations at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital
  • a new handicapped accessible boat for St. Clement’s Island
  • the preservation of the retired Maryland Dove
  • further study by the Maryland Stadium Authority of new facilities at Historic St. Mary’s City 

I was also able to obtain additional funding in the operating budget for:

  • the Potomac River Fisheries Commission
  • the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission
  • the Historic St. Mary’s City Fort to 400 Commission

Sponsored Legislation – I was proud to sponsor and pass the below bills during this legislative session:

Public Safety

Senate Bill 57 strengthens Maryland’s laws protecting minors against sexual abuse and will protect our most vulnerable citizens felony sexual assaults by addressing inconsistencies with our laws regarding those who commit sexual abuse against children.

Senate Bill 61 gives local governments the authority to determine which public safety officers are eligible for local property tax credits in their jurisdiction and repeals an existing $2,500 credit limit.  

Senate Bill 74 requires a conviction for drunk or drugged driving be considered a prior conviction for the purposes of determining subsequent offender penalties for unlawfully operating or attempting to operate a vessel while under the influence or while impaired, and vice versa.  This bill also establishes that a person convicted of drunk and drugged driving offenses is subject to increased subsequent offender penalties if the person has previously been convicted of manslaughter by vehicle or vessel in a grossly negligent manner.

Veterans

Senate Bill 974 is emergency legislation that requires increased reporting of deficiencies cited and enforcement actions imposed at State-owned nursing facilities.  This bill was introduced in response to the recent reports of mistreatment of veterans at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.  It is necessary to ensure that major problems such as these cannot be kept from the oversight of the General Assembly going forward, and this bill addresses the need for increased transparency.

Natural Resources

Senate Bill 10 requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to make available and issue most licenses, stamps, permits, registrations, or certificates authorized by the Natural Resources Article in a digital or electronic format.  This legislation does not eliminate paper licenses but rather gives Marylanders the choice of how they want to carry these documents.

Senate Bill 80 restores provisions of law establishing a commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline license in Maryland as part of our State’s strategy to fight against invasive species of catfish.

Senate Bill 91 expands youth hunting opportunities in Maryland by authorizing DNR to issue an apprentice hunting license to a person younger than age 17 who has previously been issued an apprentice license.

Senate Bill 102 exempts individuals under the age of 16 from the requirement to obtain a recreational crabbing license to catch or attempt to catch crabs in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries if they use a collapsible trap, net ring, handline, or dip net.

Senate Bill 275 requires a person who uses a snare, a trap, or similar device to capture wildlife to ensure the person’s DNR identification number is affixed to the device.  This requirement does not apply to a person using these traps on their own property.  Trappers serve a distinct role in resource conservation and helping to control nuisance animals in our State, and these tags will assist our trappers in retaining the public’s trust of the vital role that they have in wildlife management.

Senate Bill 422 creates the Black Bass Conservation Fund, funded by a voluntary contribution check off block that would be available when applying for or renewing a fishing license.  These funds would be used for black bass management, including for stocking bass, enhancing aquatic habitat, supporting responsible bass tournaments, and supporting scientific research related to bass conservation.

Senate Bill 611 creates the Environment and Natural Resources Crimes Unit in the Office of the Attorney General.  This unit will prosecute the state’s criminal environmental and natural resources laws, including bringing and defending cases under wildlife laws and laws associated with the management of public lands and other state natural and cultural resources.  This bill will ensure that these cases are being pursued by prosecutors who have experience in this specialized area of the law.

Other Sponsored Legislation

Senate Bill 395 makes any creditable service for State employment in the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial Branch count towards determining eligibility for retiree health benefits.

Senate Bill 639 revises and updates the statute governing the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission following the findings of an independent audit into the Commission’s practices.  This bill makes alterations to the Commission’s membership, clarifies provisions regarding their meetings and election of officers, requires the Commission to formalize and regularly review their agreements and operating procedures and enacts guardrails to govern the relationship that the Commission has with any affiliated nonprofits that it works with.

Co–Sponsored Legislation – In addition to these bills, I was proud to co-sponsor and work on other important legislation sponsored by other Senators that passed this session:

Senate Bill 24 expands the authority of the Maryland Department of Transportation to issue additional bonds backed by future federal aid for transportation projects in our State.  I am very happy to report that one of the projects eligible for these bonds under this bill is the replacement of the Thomas Johnson Bridge, providing the State with a new opportunity to address this much needed and long-awaited project that is District 29’s most important transportation priority.

Senate Bill 327 will give more access and opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen to engage in outdoor recreation by providing DNR with substantially more funding than it has ever had dedicated to resource management.  This legislation also provides important clarifications to State law regarding a landowner’s liability for actions by a hunter using their property.

Senate Bill 650 establishes the State Disaster Recovery Fund.  This fund is used to provide recovery assistance to Marylanders if a disaster occurs that is not eligible for Federal funds, helping our residents and local jurisdictions in times of crisis, such as the flooding in Leonardtown.

Local Legislation – In addition to these bills, I also worked to secure passage of eight bills that are specific to St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties that were requested by our local governments:

St. Mary’s County

House Bill 526 transfers the functions, powers, duties, and staff of the Child Support Unit of the Office of the State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County to the Child Support Administration of the Department of Human Services.  Funding for this transfer has been included in the State budget and this bill is expected to save St. Mary’s County taxpayers over $300,000 per year.

Senate Bill 457 – St. Mary’s County – Public Facilities Bond 

House Bill 219 – St. Mary’s County – Golf Carts on Public Highways – Report

House Bill 247 – St. Mary’s County – Transfer Tax – Sunset Extension

House Bill 263 – St. Mary’s County – Gaming – Senior Activity Centers

House Bill 887 – St. Mary’s County – Metropolitan Commission – New Facilities

Calvert County

House Bill 1178 alters the County’s Length of Service Award Program for fire, rescue, and emergency medical services volunteers by allowing the County to increase the program’s benefit amount by an amount equal to the percentage of the cost-of-living increase authorized for county employees and raising the death and burial benefits available to qualifying volunteers under the program.

House Bill 1174 – Calvert County – Civil Infractions – Prosecutorial Designations

2022 Legislative Session

In 2022, I was able to obtain funds to establish a Kennedy Krieger Institute school to serve Southern Maryland students with special needs.  This campus will provide needed services to our special needs students in Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s Counties rather than traveling long distances to attend programs in other parts of the State or entirely opting out of appropriate placements due to the distant location.

In the 2022 Session, I also worked to secure State funding for local projects and organizations, including:

  • accessibility improvements at St. Clement’s Island
  • the construction of the Maryland Heritage Interpretative Center
  • the Leonard Calvert House at Historic St. Mary’s City
  • St. Mary’s College of Maryland
  • MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital
  • the replacement of the Trent Hall Creek pier in Golden Beach
  • accessibility upgrades for Annmarie Gardens
  • restoration of the Newtowne Manor House
  • critical dam repairs for Breton Bay
  • updates for the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
  • the Lexington Park Health Department Hub
  • Farming 4 Hunger St. Mary’s County
  • St. James Public Comfort Station
  • St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen
  • St. Mary’s County Mobile Library

Sponsored Legislation – I was proud to sponsor and passthe below bills during this legislative session:

Senate Bill 79 required an in–state academic program to be accredited before it can be considered comparable when awarding Senatorial and Delegate Scholarships.  Under current law, a legislator can allow a student to use a Senatorial or Delegate Scholarship at an out–of–state school only if the academic program the student is pursuing is not available at an in–state college or university, regardless of whether that in–state program is accredited.

Senate Bill 454 was requested by the Calvert County Commissioners and permits county and municipal employees to perform minor repairs and maintenance to public access facilities on or over public waterways that currently require these jurisdictions to hire a licensed marine contractor.

Senate Bill 455 established a pilot program and a task force to work towards obtaining more accurate data to estimate the number of fish caught in Maryland’s waterways by recreational anglers.  This more accurate data will assist the Department of Natural Resources when setting policies to maintain a stable fishery in our State.

Senate Bill 579 authorized highway maintenance and service equipment and vehicles owned by the State or local governments to use green flashing lights simultaneously with yellow or amber flashing lights while in use.  This bill was requested by the State Highway Administration to give our State and local governments more options as they work to best protect Maryland’s highway maintenance workers.

Senate Bill 582 protected landowners from liability if they allow individuals to hunt on their property and provides that the hunter assumes the responsibility and liability for their safety and actions.

Senate Bill 673 allowed the Natural Resources Police (NRP) force to be governed and managed similarly to how all other statewide police forces operate in Maryland.

Senate Bill 876 required the Maryland Department of the Environment to prioritize supplemental environmental projects involving oyster repletion for water pollution violations that occur in the proximity of an oyster population.

Cross–filed Legislation – I also sponsored the following bills which passed this session in an identical form to Senate bills that I introduced:

House Bill 170/Senate Bill 220 permits hunting on each Sunday of the game bird and game mammal seasons in Calvert County.  Under the bill, hunting is only permitted on the additional Sundays from 30 minutes before sunrise to 10:30 a.m.  Sundays that were open to hunting in Calvert County prior to the bill’s passage were not affected.

House Bill 602/Senate Bill 913 provided needed operating funds to Historic Sotterley in St. Mary’s County for three years.

Co–Sponsored Legislation – In addition to these bills, I was proud to co-sponsor and work on other important legislation sponsored by other Senators that passed this session:

Senate Bill 273 limited the use of PFAS, a chemical known to be responsible for causing cancer, in Maryland.  This bill was a priority for Maryland’s firefighters who encounter PFAS in numerous ways, including in firefighting foam as well as in their gear.  The legislation was named after George “Walter” Taylor, a firefighter from District 29 who passed away from a form of cancer that has been linked to PFAS. 

Senate Bill 378 ensured funding for the operations of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) for at least three years.  This legislation will give SMADC and our agricultural community certainty and predictability going forward as they advance significant projects for Southern Maryland.  

Senate Bill 381 prohibited a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, or possessing with the intent to sell, any item that the person knows, or should know, is a part or product that comes from an endangered species, such as ivory.  The bill has exceptions for musical instruments, knives, and firearms for which the part or product is integral to the item and is less than 20% of the total weight of the item.

Senate Bill 405 created a tax credit for Marylanders 65 or over who make less than $100,000 per year individually or less than $150,000 jointly.  The tax credit is $1,000 individually or if only one of the individuals filing a joint return is eligible for the credit, and $1,750 for joint filings.  The bill also expands the State income tax deduction for retired public safety officers as well as fire, rescue, and emergency services personnel.

Senate Bill 826 established the Maryland Watermen’s Microloan Program to provide loans to qualified commercial fishermen to continue commercial operations in the State.  The Governor included funding in a supplemental budget for this program to be established this year.

Senate Bill 830 made numerous changes to Maryland law to help promote oyster production in the State and represents a significant investment into restoring and replenishing oysters in our State’s waterways, including through loans for seafood processing projects, grants for oyster shell recycling, and funding for a survey of existing and potential oyster habitats.

Other Legislation – I was also proud to work on other important legislation that passed during this Session, including:

Senate Bill 269 applied an enhanced version of Maryland’s Open Meetings Act to a number of State agencies.  I added an amendment to this bill adding the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission to the list of agencies included in this bill to ensure that our residents and all Marylanders can have more insight into the important work of the Commission.

House Bill 146 included provisions requiring local school systems to report annually on the number of disruptions that occur in their schools.  These provisions are similar to and work to accomplish the same objective as Senate Bill 583, which I introduced during this session. 

Local Legislation – In addition to these bills, I also worked to secure passage of seven bills that are specific to St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties that were requested by our local governments:

St. Mary’s County

House Bill 474 – Leonardtown – Alcoholic Beverages Licenses – Place of Worship Distance Restriction

House Bill 522 – St. Mary’s County – Tax Sales – Auctioneer Expenses

House Bill 527 – St. Mary’s County – Emergency Services Applicants – Polygraph Examinations

Calvert County

Senate Bill 442 – Calvert County – Public Facilities Bonds

House Bill 842 – Calvert County – Hotel Rental Tax – Distribution of Revenue

House Bill 886 – Calvert County – Board of License Commissioners – Compensation

House Bill 893 – Calvert County – Procurement – Award of Multiyear Contracts

2021 Legislative Session

In the 2021 Session, I worked to secure State funding for local projects and organizations, including:

  • an ambulance for the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home
  • a new academic building and auditorium at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM)
  • facilities renewal at SMCM
  • the excavation of St. Mary’s Fort
  • oyster seeding efforts in our Bay
  • the Third Academic Building at the University of Maryland at Southern Maryland
  • the Maryland Heritage Interpretive Center at Historic St. Mary’s City
  • needed repairs at Historic St. Mary’s City
  • a rescue boat for the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
  • the Innovative Center for Autonomous Systems at the St. Mary’s County Regional Airport
  • the future St. Mary’s County Sports Complex
  • the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Visitor Center

I was also able to restore funding for the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home’s budget that had been removed by the House of Delegates as well as support for our local farmers through the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission

Sponsored Legislation – I was proud to sponsor and passthe below bills during this legislative session:

Senate Bill 51 authorizes the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland to act as the property manager for the proposed Regional Agricultural Center (RAC) in St. Mary’s County.

Senate Bill 318 affirms the importance of hunting and fishing to Maryland’s cultural and social heritage and economy.  The bill also codifies the intent of the General Assembly that Marylanders have a right to hunt and fish in accordance with regulations and restrictions under laws enacted by the General Assembly.  While reasonable regulation of hunting and fishing is necessary to preserve our environment for future generations to enjoy, these statutes need to be balanced with the rights of our residents in this area.  Formal recognition of these rights is intended to help in protecting this balance and support the hundreds of thousands of Marylanders who fish and hunt and the hundreds of millions of dollars of economic activity that hunting and fishing generate in our State each year.

Senate Bill 946 establishes the Historic St. Mary’s City Fort to 400 Commission.  This Commission will be directed to plan and conduct observances commemorating the 400th anniversary of Maryland’s founding in 2034.  As Maryland’s first settlement, Historic St. Mary’s City will be at the center of these celebrations.  This is not only a high honor and responsibility, but also an economic opportunity for our area.  This Commission will be focused not only on the statewide celebration and the observances held at St. Mary’s City, but also on ensuring that we use this opportunity to the fullest to ensure the continued economic viability of Historic St. Mary’s City and the surrounding area so that this rich history can be shared and enjoyed by many generations to come.

Cross–filed Legislation – I also sponsored the following bill which passed this session in an identical form to a Senate bill that I introduced:

House Bill 83/Senate Bill 104 creates safety standards for the use of electric retractable room partitions in Maryland schools.  The bill states that a school employee may not operate an electric retractable room partition in a school building unless one of three conditions are met.  This bill was introduced in response to incidents in other states where improper operation of these partitions has killed or seriously injured students.

Other Legislation – I was also proud to work on other important legislation that passed during this Session, including:

Senate Bill 17 prohibits a person from causing a life-threatening injury to another as a result of the person’s driving, operating, or controlling a motor vehicle or vessel in a criminally negligent manner.  A violation of this law is punishable by a year in prison, a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both.

Senate Bill 324 ensures more transparency regarding how information about Maryland’s natural resources and environmental laws are disseminated.

Senate Bill 769 requires the Department of Natural Resources to study deer brought to processors as part of the income tax credit program for venison donation for chronic wasting disease to ensure that the State is providing a safe and healthy food source to those in need through this initiative.

Local Legislation – In addition to these bills, I worked to secure passage of ten bills that are specific to St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties that were requested by our local governments or communities:

St. Mary’s County

Senate Bill 861 – St. Mary’s County – Public Facilities Bond

House Bill 528 – St. Mary’s County – Repeal of Impact Fee – Authorization of Building Excise Tax

House Bill 529 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Distillery On-Site Consumption Permit

House Bill 530 – St. Mary’s County – Gaming – Administration of Bingo Licenses

House Bill 814 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages Licenses – Annual Fees

House Bill 862 – St. Mary’s County and Metropolitan Commission – Debt Limitations

Calvert County

House Bill 801 – Calvert County – Public Safety – Buildings Used for Agritourism

House Bill 1016 – Calvert County – Alcoholic Beverages Licenses – Annual Fees

House Bill 1160 – Calvert County – Long–Term Contracts for Cellular Tower Leases

House Bill 1173 – Calvert County – Public Facilities Bond

2020 Legislative Session

In the 2020 Session, I worked to secure State funding for local projects and organizations, including:

  • the Third Building at USMSM
  • Historic St. Mary’s City
  • the Calvert Marine Museum
  • the Regional Agricultural Center planned in Charlotte Hall
  • Chopticon High School’s stadium press box
  • restorations for Historic Sotterley Plantation
  • renovations to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center

I also worked to ensure funding was included in the budget to be dedicated to study the feasibility of a future behavioral health crisis center in Southern Maryland.  I also supported bills which increase funding for the Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland and streamline the budget process for the College of Southern Maryland.

Sponsored Legislation – I was proud to sponsor and passthe below bills during this legislative session:

Senate Bill 242 removes obsolete provisions of Maryland law regarding the issuance of a license to feed wild waterfowl. The current law has only served to confuse the public and those police officers who attempt to enforce it; this bill will end this confusion.

Senate Bill 510 authorizes a person, if a haul seine is fished on a Friday, to empty that haul seine during the period from 12:01 a.m. on the following Saturday until sunrise on the following Monday. This law will protect non-targeted species of fish, including threatened or endangered species or fish caught out of season, by releasing them on Saturday morning. Under current law, a waterman cannot release any fish that are caught in the net, including non-targeted species, until Monday.

Senate Bill 882 requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct a study on methods of obtaining more accurate harvest data for the recreational striped bass fishery. As many recreational anglers are aware, this legislation is important to accurately record the number of striped bass caught in the Chesapeake Bay. Decisions about fishing limits for striped bass were made based off of outdated and limited recreational data that includes a significant amount of error. This bill is an effort to improve the accuracy of this data so that, moving forward, everyone is working for a sustainable fishery.

Senate Bill 1025 establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on fishing license penalty reciprocity between Maryland and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC). This task force helped the PRFC close a longstanding loophole and come up with and implement sound policies to protect our natural resources that are so vulnerable to poaching by individuals who have had their fishing licenses suspended or revoked elsewhere.

Other Accomplishments – In addition to these bills, I also worked on other issues of importance to residents of District 29:

Straight-Walled Rifle Cartridges – I heard from many of Maryland’s hunters in support of allowing the use of straight-walled rifle cartridges in Maryland. I worked on this issue with DNR and, as a result, regulations to allow the use of these cartridges have been enacted.

House Bill 4/Senate Bill 208 requires a background check for secondary sales, rentals, and transfers of rifles and shotguns. I opposed this legislation because it will not have any meaningful impact on crime in Maryland. However, I was successful in adding an amendment to the bill to protect the Second Amendment rights of our Amish and Traditional Mennonite residents who are unable to undergo background checks because their religious belief against taking pictures prevents them from having photo identification.

Local Legislation – In addition to these bills, I worked in the final days of the Session to secure passage of 12 bills that are specific to St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties that were requested by our local governments or our local communities:

St. Mary’s County

Senate Bill 261 – St. Mary’s County – Public Facilities Bond

House Bill 89 – St. Mary’s County – Emergency Snow Routes – Authority

House Bill 90 – St. Mary’s County – Agricultural Land Preservation Program – Installment Purchase Agreements – Repeal

House Bill 121 – St. Mary’s County – Metropolitan Commission – Collection of Fees, Assessments, and Nonsubstantive and Clarifying Revisions

House Bill 155 – St. Mary’s County – Emergency Services Tax Revenue – Authorized Use

House Bill 176 – St. Mary’s County Open Meetings Act – Closed Sessions

House Bill 414 – St. Mary’s County – Property Tax Credit for Improvements to Commercial Real Property and Transfer Tax Sunset Extension

House Bill 440 – St. Mary’s County Open Meetings Act – Public Agencies and Use of New Technology

Calvert County

Senate Bill 343 – Calvert County – Public Facilities Bond

House Bill 1060 – Calvert County – Speed Limits – Establishment

House Bill 1479 – Calvert County – Subdivision Plats – Stormwater Management Easements

House Bill 1556 – Calvert County – Procurement – Contract Renewal

2019 Legislative Session

In the 2019 Session, I worked to secure State funding for local projects, including:

  • the Third Building at USMSM
  • a new academic building, auditorium, and infrastructure improvements at St. Mary’s College of Maryland
  • Historic St. Mary’s City
  • the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC)
  • the Airport Autonomous Systems Center at St. Mary’s County Airport
  • the Calvert Marine Museum
  • Three Notch Theatre

Sponsored Legislation – I was proud to sponsor and passthe below bills during this legislative session:

Senate Bill 292 allows volunteer emergency medical technicians to be defined as public safety officers so that they may be eligible recipients for local property tax credits. I take pride in serving those who serve our community and this bill passed unanimously through the legislature.

Senate Bill 390 allows individuals in St. Mary’s County to hunt any game bird or game mammal, except game birds, on any Sunday during the open season for that appropriate bird or mammal. This is a huge victory for St. Mary’s County, especially our young hunters who may not have been able to hunt because of school and extracurricular activities, which typically take place on Saturdays.

Senate Bill 947 establishes the rights of a correctional officer relating to the employment, investigation, and discipline of correctional officers in Calvert County.

Senate Bill 957 authorizes the Sheriff of Calvert County to appoint correctional deputies who serve under the direction of the Sheriff.

Other Accomplishments – In addition to these bills, I also worked on other issues of importance to residents of District 29:

Senate Bill 521 increases the accessibility of professional veteran health services with the hope to prevent suicides. This bill raises awareness and will provide extensive resources to our veterans who desperately need our help.

I strongly opposed Senate Bill 311 andvoted against it in the Senate. Thankfully, this bill was defeated in the Senate with a tie 23-23 vote, with one senator abstaining.

Local Legislation – In addition to these bills, I also worked to secure passage of seven additional bills that are specific to St. Mary’s or Calvert Counties that were requested by our local governments:

St. Mary’s County

House Bill 358 – St. Mary’s County – Public Facility Bonds

House Bill 359 – St. Mary’s County – Building Authority Commission – Repeal

House Bill 360 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Sunday Sales at a Bar or Counter

House Bill 982 – St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Class C Per Diem Licenses

Calvert County

House Bill 623 – Calvert County – Local Debt Bonding Authority

House Bill 1258 – Calvert County – Length of Service Award Program – Death Benefits (Patricia Ann “Pat” Osburn Law)

Senate Bill 908 – Calvert County – State’s Attorney – Annual Salary