A glance at some of the legislation approved in the Maryland General Assembly
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.
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