On Friday, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee reported unfavorably on House Bill 380. This bill, which Senator Bailey opposed, would have allowed for condoms to be sold in vending machines in nursery schools, preschools and elementary schools. This unfavorable report means that the bill will receive no further consideration during the 2025 Legislative Session.
Boat Auctioneer Bill Passes Senate
On Wednesday, Senator Bailey’s first bill of the legislative session passed the Senate. Senate Bill 23, which would exempt licensed auctioneers from having to obtain a dealer’s license in order to auction a boat in Maryland, passed unanimously. This bill will now go to the House of Delegates for their consideration.
Two More Bill Hearings
This week, Senator Bailey presented two more bills from his legislative package to Senate committees.
On Thursday, the Senator presented Senate Bill 812 to the Pensions Subcommittee. This bill would provide an enhanced 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. This would match the standard for a person to be considered disabled under Federal law.
On Friday, Senator Bailey presented Senate Bill 544 to the Senate Finance Committee. This bill would authorize 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 chemical toilet. Currently, these businesses can face different regulations based on which county they are located in. This bill would set a consistent standard that would also support the continued growth of these businesses in our State.
Budget Deliberations Continue
Also on Friday, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee held a hearing on the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA). This is a bill submitted by the Governor with the budget every year to make the changes in State law needed to balance the budget. This year, it includes numerous tax and fee increases. Senator Bailey strongly opposes these increases as well as the reduction in funding from the tobacco settlement for the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission that is also included in the BRFA.
This week, the Senate and House Republican Caucuses proposed additional spending cuts to help address the State’s deficit. These savings would come from personnel actions, including a hiring freeze in State government and not moving ahead with pay raises for State employees this year, which would save approximately $340 million to $360 million. The Republican Caucuses also proposed cutting $90 million in increased funding to implement environmental initiatives as well as stopping the implementation of the Climate Solutions Now Act, which has an estimated annual cost of $1 billion.
Local Students Visit Annapolis
This week, Senator Bailey also welcomed more student groups to Annapolis. On Thursday, Senator Bailey spoke to a group of 70 students from the Calvert Association of Student Councils during their annual advocacy day. The Senator also met with a group of students from St. Mary’s College of Maryland on Friday after speaking to another class from SMCM earlier in the day.