This week was the first full week of the 2023 Legislative Session. As the Senate’s Committees begin to consider legislation, two of Senator Bailey’s bills to support Maryland’s first responders received hearings this week before the Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee:
Senate Bill 61 – Property Tax Credit – Public Safety Officer would give local governments the authority to determine which public safety officers are eligible for local property tax credits in their jurisdiction and repeal an existing $2,500 limit on the amount of the property tax credit that may be provided by local jurisdictions. This would expand the number of public safety officers eligible for this credit if granted by their local jurisdictions.
Senate Bill 76 – Income Tax – Subtraction Modification – Public Safety Volunteers would combine the current subtraction modification for volunteer fire, rescue, and emergency medical services members and police auxiliaries and reserve volunteers, as well as raise the amount of both deductions to $10,000. Senator Bailey is proud to recognize and support the important work of our State’s volunteer reserve police officers by sponsoring this legislation.
Senator Bailey has pre-filed seven additional bills for consideration by the General Assembly for this session:
Senate Bill 10 – Department of Natural Resources – Documents – Digital or Electronic Issuance would require the Department of Natural Resources to make available and issue all 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 and only gives Marylanders the choice of how they want to carry these documents. As our citizens are increasingly looking for ways to carry important documents digitally, this bill would empower citizens to choose the method that they prefer to display their DNR permits.
Senate Bill 57 – Sexual Offenses – Crime of Violence and Lifetime Supervision would strengthen Maryland’s laws protecting minors against sexual abuse and is designed to protect our most vulnerable citizens from some of the most heinous crimes, specifically felony sexual assaults.
Senate Bill 69 – Public Safety – Law Enforcement Agencies – Positive Community Feedback would require police agencies to keep a record of positive feedback that the agencies receive about its officers and allows the release of that information under the Maryland Public Information Act. This would ensure that police departments and the public have access to the full picture of a law enforcement officer’s record.
Senate Bill 74 – Grossly Negligent or Drunk or Drugged Operation of Vehicle or Vessel – Prior Convictions would strengthen Maryland’s drunk driving laws by ensuring that drunk driving of vehicles and boats are treated the same when considering whether an individual is a repeat offender, which would result in stronger penalties.
Senate Bill 80 – Natural Resources – Blue and Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License – Establishment would restore provisions of law establishing a commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline license in Maryland that were inadvertently allowed to sunset during the last legislative session. Licenses such as these are an important component of our State’s strategy to fight against invasive species of catfish, and this legislation would ensure that this option continues to be available to Marylanders to assist us in these efforts.
Senate Bill 91 – Natural Resources – Apprentice Hunting License – Alterations would allow a child 16 or younger to renew or re-apply for an apprentice hunting license. Current Maryland law only allows for these licenses to be issued once in a person’s lifetime. This legislation would expand youth hunting opportunities in our State and help pass this important tradition on to the next generation of hunters.
Senate Bill 102 – Natural Resources – Recreational Crabbing License – Exemption would expand a currently existing exemption for finfish to permit children under the age of 16 to catch crabs without a license.
Gubernatorial Inauguration
On Wednesday, Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller were sworn into office. Senator Bailey was honored to have participated in the ceremonies marking the transition of power and looks forward to working with the new administration where common ground exists to address issues of importance to St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties.
Scholarship Application Now Available
Senator Bailey is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2023-24 academic year. This scholarship is available to students who permanently reside in District 29 and who plan to either attend a Maryland institution of higher education or who has been approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission for unique major status. More information, including the application, is available at senatorbailey.com/scholarship. Please read the instructions carefully before applying. The deadline for applications is April 7, 2023.