Current:Home > NewsA glance at some of the legislation approved in the Maryland General Assembly -Visionary Growth Labs
A glance at some of the legislation approved in the Maryland General Assembly
View
Date:2025-04-19 07:56:05
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland General Assembly is wrapping up its 90-day legislative session on Monday. Here’s a look at some of the legislation they have passed so far:
BUDGET
Maryland lawmakers mostly kept Gov. Wes Moore’s $63 billion budget proposal for the next fiscal year intact. They decided to add on some tax and fee increases to raise money for transportation, including a new fee of 75 cents on ride-hailing services and an increase in vehicle registration fees. The new revenues for transportation add up to about $252 million in the next fiscal year, gradually increasing to $336 million in fiscal year 2029. Tobacco tax increases will help generate about $91 million for K-12 education, though that is projected to decline in future years with less tobacco use.
COURT PERSONNEL PROTECTION
Maryland judges would be able to shield their personal information online to prevent hostile people from tracking them down, a measure approved in response to the fatal shooting of a judge in his driveway last year.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Lawmakers approved a package of juvenile justice reforms aimed at improving accountability and rehabilitation in response to complaints about increasing crimes like auto theft and handgun violations in parts of the state.
DATA CENTERS
Lawmakers passed the governor’s bill to make data center development easier by reducing environmental procedures required by state regulators for backup generators needed for the centers, which house information technology infrastructure.
GENDER-AFFIRMING TREATMENT
Gender-affirming treatment in Maryland would be protected from criminal and civil actions brought by other states.
FREEDOM TO READ
Public libraries, including public school libraries, would not be able to remove reading materials because of partisan, ideological or religious disapproval.
IMMIGRANTS’ HEALTH INSURANCE
Maryland would apply for a federal waiver to enable people to buy health insurance through the state’s health care exchange, regardless of their immigration status.
GUN CENTER
Lawmakers approved the governor’s proposal to create a new center to foster a statewide partnership with federal and local agencies to reduce gun violence.
988 CRISIS
The state would create a permanent funding source for the state’s 988 mental health crisis helpline by adding a fee of 25 cents to cell phone bills.
PROTECTING ELECTION WORKERS
The General Assembly passed the governor’s proposal to enable authorities to prosecute people who threaten to harm election officials or their immediate family members, as threats are on the rise across the country.
veryGood! (13843)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Dominican officials searching for Rays shortstop Wander Franco as investigation continues
- Illinois babysitter charged with stabbing 2 young girls is denied pretrial release
- Nikki Haley, asked what caused the Civil War, leaves out slavery. It’s not the first time
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- You Need to Calm Down. Taylor Swift is not the problem here.
- The Excerpt podcast: 2023 in Music - Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and More
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard set to be paroled years after persuading boyfriend to kill her abusive mother
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Billie Lourd Shares How She Keeps Mom Carrie Fisher’s Legacy Alive With Kids on Anniversary of Her Death
Ranking
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Is Caleb Williams playing in the Holiday Bowl? USC QB's status for matchup vs. Louisville
- Doctors are pushing Hollywood for more realistic depictions of death and dying on TV
- Mississippi health department says some medical marijuana products are being retested for safety
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- North Dakota lawmaker who used homophobic slurs during DUI arrest has no immediate plans to resign
- Shakira celebrates unveiling of 21-foot bronze statue of her in Colombian hometown
- Man fatally shot by Connecticut police was wanted in a 2022 shooting, fired at dog, report says
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
Packers suspend CB Jaire Alexander for 'detrimental' conduct after coin toss near-mistake
Man fatally shot by Connecticut police was wanted in a 2022 shooting, fired at dog, report says
Jacksonville, Florida, mayor has Confederate monument removed after years of controversy
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Inside the unclaimed baggage center where lost luggage finds new life
Americans opened their wallets for holiday spending, defying fears of a pullback
Shakira’s hometown unveils a giant statue of the beloved Colombian pop star