Dear Friends,

The Finance Committee has been hard at work, with 64 bill hearings this week alone. As we approach the halfway point of the session, floor sessions and committee meetings are becoming longer as we tackle important legislation. I've been meeting with stakeholders and colleagues to work on compromises and amendments that will help push important legislation through the Senate of Maryland.

This week 3 of my bills have been heard:.

• SB0559 Business Regulation - Household Goods Movers - Special Fund and Feescreates dedicated fund for the Household Goods Movers Registration Unit. SB 559 will allow the Maryland Department of Labor (MDL) to implement the Registry providing consumers a avenue to verify a moving company is reputable. The hearing from the Finance Committee can be found here.
• SB0701 Maryland Health Benefit Exchange – State–Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Pilot Program – Amount of Annual Subsidies. The Young Adult Health Insurance Subsides Pilot Program is funded from the State Reinsurance Program with $20M a year, The first two years of the program did not utilize the entire allocation. SB 701, is an emergency bill, permitting the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) to roll over left over funds to subsequent years. Calendar year 2024 is projected to need $22.5M. The hearing from the Finance Committee can be found here.
• SB1001 Alcoholic Beverages - Class 4 Limited Winery License - Requirements and Authorizations This bill makes several technical changes. It broadens what Maryland grown agricultural products and raises the percentage of bulk wine that a Maryland winery could buy or sell that can count towards the Maryland ingredient requirement. The bill also clarifies that cannabis and “thc” cannot be utilized as a Maryland grown agricultural product.

"Alcohol Day"

One of the policy areas that falls under the Senate Finance Committee is alcoholic beverage regulation. Today was “Alcohol Day."  38 bills were heard; it was a busy day for the committee. The Anne Arundel County Senate Delegation sponsored 4 bills, and I proudly sponsored one.

• SB0655 - Anne Arundel County - Alcoholic Beverages - Part-Time Deputy Chief Inspector
• SB0742 - Anne Arundel County - Alcoholic Beverages - Fees for Class C Per Diem Licenses
• SB1047 - Anne Arundel County - Alcoholic Beverages - Music and Entertainment Privileges
• SB1001 Alcoholic Beverages - Class 4 Limited Winery License - Requirements and Authorizations

Also today the Judicial Proceeding Committee voted my bill SB442, Street Racing and Exhibition Driving “Favorable with Amendments”, I expect it will be on the Senate Floor next week.

As always, you can view all of the legislation that we are working on the General Assembly website.

Sincerely,

Pamela Beidle

Senator, District 32, Maryland General Assembly