Legislative Committee

Legislative Committee Calendar, Agendas & Materials

The Legislative Committee, including representatives from all 24 boards, holds monthly meetings to guide the association’s lobbying activities in Annapolis, and invites policy and legislative leaders as guest speakers to exchange ideas. During the legislative session, MABE’s bill testimony reflects the association’s resolutions and legislative positions as adopted by the membership.

For additional information, contact John Woolums, MABE’s Director of Governmental Relations.

2020 Legislative Committee Calendar

MABE’s Legislative Committee meetings are held in the MABE office on Monday mornings, 10:00 to 12:00, unless otherwise indicated. Meeting agendas and materials are posted in advance of the meetings, and updated regularly.

January 6, 2020
- (January 8, 2020 – Session convenes)
January 27, 202
- (Feb, 1-4, 2020 – NSBA Equity Symposium & Advocacy Inst. in DC)
February 10, 2020
February 13, 2020 – MABE Legislative Day Luncheon, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Miller Senate Building, Conference Center West, Annapolis
March 2, 2020
March 16, 2020 – cancelled
- (March 18 – Session adjourned “Sine Die”)
March 30, 2020 – Scheduled to be held via Zoom as a teleconferenced meeting. The email invitation will include instructions and links for video or phone conferencing.
April 27, 2020 – Originally scheduled as the Session Summary meeting. Remains on the schedule to allow us to continue meeting and networking remotely.

2020 Session COVID 19 Related Bills and Provisions

The following legislation, including the State Budget and BRFA, include provisions directly related to responding to the COVID 19 coronavirus pandemic:

Maryland	SB 1079 Allows the Governor to transfer by budget amendment up to $50,000,000 from the Revenue Stabilization Account to fund costs associated with the coronavirus. Requires the Governor to provide the Legislative Policy Committee with at least 7 days for review and comment before transferring funds from the Account. Makes the Act an emergency measure. Enacted.
Maryland	SB 1080/HB 1663 Authorizes the Governor to take certain actions in a state of emergency, including prohibiting cost-sharing by carriers for disease testing, immunization and any associated costs; retailers from increasing the sale or rental price of any good or service by more than 10%; and employers from terminating quarantined or isolated employees. Enacted.
Maryland	HB 732 Relates to annual gross revenues derived from digital advertising services; provides that the sales and use tobacco tax collected in fiscal year 2021 will be distributed, in part, to expenditure accounts of State government to fund costs associated with COVID-19. Vetoed.
Maryland	HB 932 Relates to sales and use tax revenue; provides that the sales and use tax collected in fiscal year 2021 on the sale or use of a digital product or code will be distributed, in part, to expenditure accounts of State government to fund costs associated with COVID-19. Vetoed.
Maryland	SB 190 Part of a larger budget bill for fiscal year 2021. Makes a $10 million supplemental appropriation to the Department of Health for the current fiscal year to address coronavirus preparedness expenses. Eligible for Governor.
Maryland	SB 192 Part of the Budget Reconciliation Act; authorizes a transfer up to $100,000,000 from the Revenue Stabilization Account to fund costs associated with COVID-19. Eligible for Governor.

2020 Legislative Committee Meetings and Materials

May 18, 2020

Agenda & Materials

Kirwan Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Veto

Governor’s Veto Statement & MABE Statement

Budget Updates

Protected Status of Education Funding

MSDE Education Recovery Plan

Federal Nonpublic School Funding Guidance

April 27, 2020

(also planned as teleconference meeting)

Annapolis Advocacy Center

Federal and State Advocacy

Legislative Committee