Legislators have prioritized emergency legislation regarding federal actions, passing bills in both chambers to ban agreements between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities (HB 444 and SB 245). The bills now go to Governor Moore for consideration. The House approved HB 488 to redraw Maryland’s eight congressional districts after much floor debate. Senate President Ferguson and Democratic leaders have indicated they oppose redistricting and have not taken up the bill for debate at this time.
Over the next two weeks, legislators will consider several bills focused on expanded protections for our members and public officials, in response to increased threats and attacks. MSBA will be on the ground, providing testimony and information and advocating on behalf of the profession at MSBA Day.
Below are key bills to track related to security, the judiciary, and business.
Courts and Security
HB 1031/SB 634 - Office of the State Prosecutor - Investigation of Threats – Judges: Authorizing the Office of the State Prosecutor to investigate a threat made against a judge or judge-elect. Requested by the Judiciary. Upcoming committee hearings.
SB 121 - Personal Information - Public Servant Protections: Authorizing a certain protected individual or the agency, entity, or office that the protected individual serves or served to request that a governmental entity or person not publish personal information on the Internet, social media, or social networks or that the governmental entity or person remove the information from any existing publication. Upcoming committee hearing.
SB 632 - State Government - State Elected Officials - Protection of Personal Information: Establishing the Office of State Elected Officials Information Privacy in the Department of Legislative Services; authorizing a certain protected individual or the Office to request that a governmental entity or person not publish personal information of the protected individual on the Internet, social media, or social networks or that the governmental entity or person remove the information from any existing publication; specifying certain procedures for the protection of personal information of a protected individual. Awaiting committee hearing date.
Judiciary
HB 821/SB 541 - Judiciary Department - Judicial Removal - Disqualification From Future Judicial Office: Providing that a justice or judge removed or retired from office upon a recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Disabilities is not eligible for future judicial office. Requested by the Judiciary. Upcoming committee hearings.
HB 150 - Circuit Court Judges - Selection and Retention Elections: Proposing amendments to the Maryland Constitution relating to the selection and tenure of circuit court judges; altering the method of filling vacancies in the office of a judge of a circuit court; providing for retention elections following an appointment to fill a vacancy in the office of a judge of a circuit court; providing for a transitional period during which the terms of certain amendments are to become effective; and submitting this amendment to the qualified voters of the State for their adoption or rejection. Upcoming committee hearing.
Supporting Maryland’s Business Economy
(Growth Innovation, Opposing Unreasonable Taxes and Fees)
HB 698 - Corporations and Associations - Maryland Securities Act - Filing Fees: Increasing, from $100 to $250, the fee that a person required to submit a filing in accordance with a certain exemption is required to pay; and increasing, from $100 to $250, the fee that a person required to submit a notice of offer or sale of certain federal covered securities is required to pay. Upcoming committee hearing.
HB 576/SB 425 - State Archives - Record Services – Fees: Would require any fees established by the State Archives to be established by regulation. Upcoming committee hearings. MSBA is coordinating with stakeholders to avoid unregulated and unreasonable fees that would impact our members.