Senator Addie Eckardt, District 37 Weekly Wrap-Up January 26, 2018

This Week in Annapolis Maryland’s 438th General Assembly has gained momentum quickly, with bills being heard in Committee and on the floor that have the potential to impact every Marylander. I am honored to serve District 37 as we focus this session on addressing the tax sale process, healthcare, and taxation and affordability.

My first bill of the 2018 Session, Talbot County Board of Education—Start Date of Term for Members (SB 171) was heard in Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on January 24, 2018. This legislation would alter the start date of the term for Talbot County Board of Education’s members from January 1 to December 1 so that all members would have time to contribute to the budget process. On January 25, 2018, I had the privilege of meeting with District 37’s Teachers of the Year. From left to right, thank you to Jennifer Gunter (Greensboro Elementary School), Katie Fox (Tilghman Elementary School), Christen Tacka (Prince Street Elementary School), and Sean Reincke (Cambridge-South Dorchester High School) for your dedication to our local students and schools. Administration’s 2018 Anti-Opioid Initiatives On January 23, 2018, Governor Hogan and Lt. Governor Rutherford announced their 2018 anti-opioid initiatives. This includes tactics directed at treatment, prevention, enforcement, and budgetary action and are in the form of executive actions, legislation, and the authorization of the Attorney General to file suit against select opioid manufacturers and distributors on the grounds of misleading the public aiding in the creation of Maryland’s addiction crisis. In regards to the possible suit, Governor Hogan recognized that 100% of any proceeds recovered will be directed toward opioid treatment, prevention, and education programs. A future study of therapeutic detention facilities, as well as two pieces of legislation, are directed to expand treatment facilities and strengthen the behavioral health workforce. The Overdose Data Reporting Act would focus on prevention and allow Emergency Medical Service providers and law enforcers to share data concerning opioid overdoses, making Maryland one of 27 states to use this technology. Concerning enforcement, legislation is being introduced to strengthen and expand the prosecution of high-level drug traffickers. Lastly, budgetary actions are being taken to address the opioid crisis in Maryland: $159 million are dedicated to non-Medicaid substance use disorder and addiction programs as well as $13.7 million to fund the state’s response to the heroin and opioid epidemic; an extra $3 million will be allocated in the form of education grants as well as $1.2 million to expand treatment programs. Governor Hogan and Federal Tax Implications On January 25, 2018, Governor Hogan introduced legislation to protect Marylanders from state and local tax increases resulting from the recent federal tax overhaul. This legislation is based on results from a comprehensive analysis of the federal tax package implications done by Comptroller Peter Franchot; this study concluded that while most Marylanders will see a decrease in federal taxes, state and local taxes could increase by $572 million in 2019 if no action is taken. The Protecting Maryland Taxpayers Act of 2018 would make a permanent provision in Maryland law that prevents changes in the federal tax code from affecting Maryland state and local taxes. This would allow Maryland residents who choose to the standard tax deduction at the federal level to itemize deductions at the state level; this would allow Marylanders to get “the best of both worlds” with the federal and state level deductions. For more information concerning the Governor Hogan's announcements, please contact my office at 410-841-3590 or visit http://governor.maryland.gov Meet the Staff Patty Shreves, Chief of Staff, is joining me again for her third legislative session. She is a veteran of the United States Army and currently lives in Talbot County with her two daughters and husband. Melissa Einhorn, Legislative Aide, is a recent graduate from James Madison University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Public Policy & Administration and Family Studies. Melissa currently lives in Talbot County. Morris Lewis, Intern, is currently a senior at Salisbury University where he is majoring in Political Science. Morris resides in Salisbury, MD and is originally from Talbot County. Recently Sponsored Legislation SB 215: Motor Vehicle Registration—Exception for Golf Carts—Town of Vienna This legislation came in as a request from the Mayor and Council of the Town of Vienna and would allow licensed individuals to drive golf carts on the shoulders of main roads within the town limits. SB 283: Alcoholic Beverages—Auxiliary Winery Permit I am reintroducing legislation that would establish an auxiliary winery permit that the Comptroller may issue to a Class 4 Limited Winery allowing the sale and sampling of wine on licensed premises, anywhere in the State. SB 404: Home Gaming—Bunco  This bill would add Bunco to the list of games that a person over 21 years of age may wager on. SB 405: Creation of a State Debt—Talbot County—Avalon Theatre This legislation, proposed by the Avalon Foundation, Inc., located in Easton, MD, would help fund $200,000 to make the Avalon Theatre more handicap accessible.     SJ 6: Commemorating the Bicentennial of the Birth of Frederick Douglass This Senate Joint Resolution would commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass, who was born in Talbot County in 1818 and grew to become a noted abolitionist, preacher, and advocate of women’s rights. Legislation of Interest SB 34: Chesapeake Bay Bridge Crossing—Eastern Shore Local Government Consent—Repeal This bill is aimed at taking away the possibility of a political battle over where the next Bay Bridge span is placed by removing the power of the nine Eastern Shore counties to veto the decision made by the State engineers. Chairman Middleton stated that he is “worried” about the precedent that may be set by silencing local governments on a decision like this. SB 133: Community Healthy Air Act This bill would create a commission to study the emissions produced by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) and other industrial farms in Maryland. If passed, this bill will not impose any regulations or restrictions on the industrial farms at this time; it is only aimed at gathering emissions and toxicology data. Scheduled Hearings SB 3: Dorchester County—Hurlock—Alcoholic Beverages—Place-of-Worship of School Distance Restrictions February 23, 2018 at 1:00 pm SB 51: Dorchester County—Alcoholic Beverages—Beer and Wine Festivals February 23, 2018 at 1:00 pm SB 140: Dorchester County—Alcoholic Beverages—Class C Per Diem Licenses—Catering Club Events February 23, 2018 at 1:00 pm SB 215: Motor Vehicle Registration—Exception for Golf Carts—Town of Vienna February 6, 2018 at 1:00 pm SB 283: Alcoholic Beverages—Auxiliary Winery Permit February 23, 2018 at 1:00 pm SB 341: Hunting—Required Outerwear—Daylight Fluorescent Pink February 6, 2018 at 1:00 pm