2025 ANNAPOLIS UPDATES:
Annapolis Update #1 (2025) Welcome to the 447th Legislative Session
Welcome to the start of the 2025 Legislative Session! Today marks the beginning of the 447th Session of the 90-day Maryland General Assembly. This session will be a busy one, with over 550 bills already filed by members of the Senate and House of Delegates, and hundreds more expected in the days ahead.
Despite the Democrat's substantial majority in the Senate (34-13) and the House of Delegates (102-39), the introduction of numerous bills impacting the daily lives of Marylanders will undoubtedly spark Read More…
Annapolis Update #2 (2025) The Budget, Rocket Lab Marine Operations, County Executive Updates, Senatorial Scholarship
Amid this flurry of legislative activity, on Wednesday, January 15, Governor Wes Moore introduced his Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 2026) state budget to the Maryland General Assembly, as required by the Maryland Constitution. Covering the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the budget was formally submitted as Senate Bill 319 - Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026). This marks the beginning of the legislative deliberation process for the state's financial priorities.
The Senate Budget & Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee will oversee the majority of the work on the proposed budget. Following this briefing, both Senate and House Committees Read More…
Annapolis Update #3 (2025) Cuts to the DDA, High BGE Rates, Freezing Temperatures
As we wrap up this productive week, the Committees in both the Senate and House of Delegates have begun bill hearings for many of the 578 bills that were introduced in the Senate and 710 bills that were introduced in the House of Delegates. Dozens, potentially hundreds, more bills are anticipated to be introduced in the weeks ahead.
This week, Senate Bill 189 - Eminent Domain- Agricultural and Conservation Easements- Prohibitive Taking, was heard in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. This bill seeks to amend Maryland's eminent domain Read More…
Annapolis Update #4 (2025) Felony Gun Theft, Parent Accountability, Cellphone Free Schools, BGE & DDA Updates & More!
My office has also been incredibly busy meeting with advocacy groups, addressing constituent concerns on energy issues and the proposed cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration, and discussing a wide range of bills introduced this week.
Looking ahead, Monday, February 3, 2025, is a key deadline in the Senate—the final day to submit bills into the "hopper" to ensure they are assigned to a committee on time without first going through the Senate Rules Committee. The House of Delegates faces a Read More…
Annapolis Update #5 (2025) Major bills are on the table this week in Annapolis! Energy Update, Pothole in Baltimore County and more.
During his State of the State Address, Governor Moore proposed a $550 million increase in K-12 school funding, a move that could further strain an already tight budget. He also introduced incentives to recruit out-of-state educators, including debt-free pathways to becoming a teacher and a $2,000 moving grant. Meanwhile, Democratic public safety policies remain weak on crime, and declining respect for law enforcement continues to undermine safety in the state.
The biggest omission from Governor Moore’s hour-long speech was the high cost of living—particularly soaring utility bills. Despite Read More…
Annapolis Update #6 (2025) Fantasy Football, DDA Day, SRO Bill, Kaufman Cancer Center and Cancer Life Net
Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey and I had the opportunity to meet with the Office of the People's Counsel to discuss the rising cost of energy. The Office of the People's Counsel has identified several contributing factors that are causing the rate increase. The Senate Republicans are working with the Senate Republican Caucus to develop a plan to address these high energy bills.
This week, the Office of the People's Counsel issued a press release encouraging consumers to file complaints through the Maryland Consumer Protection Complaints Portal:
Welcome to the Maryland Consumer Protection Complaints Portal Maryland Consumer Protection Portal…
Annapolis Update #7 (2025) Energy, Immigration Protections, Education, and more!
On February 19th, Senate Bill 429: Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act was heard jointly by the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee. It repeals certain provisions related to the Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel and modifies definitions and funding formulas for various education programs, including the target per-pupil foundation amount, collaborative time per pupil, and special education per-pupil allocations for future fiscal years.
It also broadens the funding base for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund by incorporating interest earnings from the Academic Excellence Fund. Additionally, it revises the Concentration of Poverty School… Read More…
Annapolis Update #8 (2025) Spending, Energy, Firearms and More…
This week, I introduced Senate Bill 787 - Cooperative Housing Cooperations and Condominiums- Funding of Reserve Accounts and Timing of Reserve Studies before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
I appreciate everyone who took the time to testify in support of this bill. I introduced this legislation in response to concerns raised by constituents, and I Read More…
Annapolis Update: Energy (2025) Brandon Shores, Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project and Bills of Interest
Energy remains a top concern for many in our state. To keep you informed, I have compiled a list of key hearings and bills being discussed during this Legislative Session. I encourage you to stay engaged and make your voice heard.
Annapolis Update # 9 (2025) BRFA, Energy, Criminal Justice, Tax Reform, and More…
During the Budget Reconciliation Financing Act (BRFA) hearing, Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Department of Budget and Management Secretary Helene Grady addressed staffing concerns. I questioned them on why a hiring freeze had not been implemented despite the state’s budget challenges and emphasized the need for stricter hiring oversight. I proposed prioritizing staffing for critically understaffed agencies, such as the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services while enforcing a broader hiring freeze requiring the Governor’s approval. I believe a lack of implementing a hiring freeze now will result in furloughs for most state employees next fall.
With Maryland agencies seeking nearly 900 new hires amid a looming budget crisis, I am concerned that without a freeze Read More…
Annapolis Update #10: Crossover Day, Joint Committee Hearing
Senate Bill 46 - Real Property - Wrongful Detainer Actions passed the Senate (44-1) and now moves to the House of Delegates for consideration. As a proud co-sponsor, I support this bill’s efforts to address wrongful detainer cases, commonly involving squatters. The bill prohibits individuals from unlawfully occupying or claiming possession of a property and ensures that the sheriff’s office can promptly remove violators. It expedites the eviction process by allowing a summons to be issued without requiring the occupant’s name and shortens Read More…
Annapolis Update #11 (2025) Nuclear, Evictions, Speed Cameras…
Before becoming the Maryland General Assembly, the legislature existed in various forms, including the Proprietary Assembly, composed of the Governor and Council, and the Freemen's Assembly, a broader legislative body. Over time, it was also known as the Commonwealth Assembly and the Royal Assembly. The Commonwealth Assembly played a key role in shaping laws for the public good, working in coordination with counties and special taxing districts. A major political shift occurred during the Protestant Convention of 1689, after the rise of William and Mary, Read More…
Annapolis Update #12 (2025) Budget, Moving Legislation, Education
Wednesday, March 26th marked the beginning of a long and difficult farewell to the Maryland Air National Guard’s incredible 104-year flying mission. With heavy hearts, we watched as the first of our beloved A-10s—built right here in Hagerstown—took off from Martin State Airport for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
The A-10 has been more than just an aircraft to us. It’s been a symbol of strength, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of the Maryland Air National Guard. Its unmatched close air support capabilities have saved countless lives on the battlefield, and its distinctive roar has become part of the fabric of our skies. To see it go is not just the end of a chapter—it’s the end of an Read More…
June - Post-Session Update (2025)
1. Introduction of Planning Principles
The law replaces the previous "visions" with a set of 12 planning principles aimed at fostering sustainable communities and environmental protection. These principles emphasize:
Land: Optimize land productivity of working landscapes, including farms and forests.
Public Participation: Encourage active community involvement in planning and implementation.
Growth Areas: Concentrate growth Read More…
MVA ALERT: New Maryland Registration Fees Coming (June, 2025)
I voted against the state budget and the BRFA because I believe Marylanders are already paying more than their fair share. These fee increases will hit working families, small business owners, and even our agricultural and transportation sectors, at a time when many are already stretched thin by inflation and rising living costs.
Despite my opposition, the bill was passed by the majority party and signed into law. That means these changes will go into effect, and I want to ensure you’re aware of what’s coming and how it may affect your vehicle, your business, or your household expenses.
Below is a breakdown of the key changes, the types of vehicles impacted, and where you can find updated fee schedules from the Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA).
What’s Changing? Read More…
Juvenile Services Update (June, 2025)
Over the past several months, I’ve heard from many of you, through emails, phone calls, and community meetings, about the disturbing rise in juvenile crime. A common concern is the “catch and release” approach that has persisted since Governor Moore took office. Juvenile crime has soared under his leadership as a result, with concerning bills being proposed, such as Senate Bill 422, which would have limited the number of crimes under which a juvenile can be charged as an adult, had it passed. Under the Democratic Supermajority, we’ve seen a wave of idealistic policies that emphasize restorative practices but too often fail to include real, consistent consequences for criminal behavior committed by youth, leading to more chaos and destruction of traditional values.
Senate Republicans have repeatedly called for the removal of Secretary Vincent Schiraldi from the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), citing his failure to adequately address violent juvenile offenses and to implement a functional, accountable rehabilitation system. On May 21, alarming reports revealed that staff at Read More…
Annapolis Update #13 (2025) Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Project Public Comment Hearings
Energy rates are expected to continue rising in the coming months due to a Reliability Must Run agreement between PJM, Talen Energy (owner of Brandon Shores), and the Sierra Club—an agreement recently approved by Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC). Under this plan, the Brandon Shores plant must remain operational and ready to run at all times, though it will only be activated when the electric grid is under extreme stress.
Republican Senators, myself included, have consistently recommended that Brandon Shores remain open and operational Read More…
Annapolis Update #14 (2025) End of Session Letter
House Bill 352 - Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 includes major policy and financial decisions that significantly affect residents and businesses in Maryland. Here are a few of the highlights:
Income Tax Changes: Creation of a “half millionaires” tax by establishing two new tax brackets for taxable income between $500,001 and $1,000,000 (6.25%) and $1,000,000+ (6.5%) and phasing out itemized deductions for Federal Adjusted Gross Income above $200,000
Local Income Tax: Enables local jurisdictions to increase the local income tax rate or “piggyback tax” from 3.2% to 3.3%
*Error: in this Newsletter, the land record fee is listed in the BRFA, it was not officially recorded in the BRFA.
