February 19, 2024

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe we are more than a third of the way through the legislative session!  In the past three weeks, bill hearings have ramped up, as well as emails from constituent advocates on a variety of bills.  

After three years with hardly any large group visitors, we've already had many meetings with constituents who come to Annapolis for a variety of issues (to be highlighted in the next newsletter).  I try to attend these meetings as often as my schedule allows, but when I can't, my staff meets with them, and they enjoy learning about the many issues constituent advocates care about. 

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) greeting representatives before delivering his State of the State address on Wednesday at the State House in Annapolis.

On Wednesday February 7, Governor Wes Moore gave his second State of the State address.  He began by highlighting the significant achievements of his first year: thousands of new jobs created, record funding for education, and the pending relocation of the FBI headquarters to Maryland. But, more interesting was what the Governor said about releasing a “State Plan” the next day. He noted that there hasn’t been a state plan for ten years.

The purpose of the plan, he said, was not just to set an agenda for the current legislative session but to plan for the next three years.  “Our state plan is about more than big aspirational targets. We’ve laid out specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-bound goals. We’ve built these priorities by listening to the people who sent us here: Our constituents.”

These are just some of Gov. Moore's Ten Targets to make this Maryland's decade:

• Setting students up for success
• Creating an equitable, robust, and competitive economy
• Creating safer communities
• Making Maryland a leader in clean energy and the greenest state in the country

Governor Moore also spoke about his priorities for this year's legislative session:  Public Safety being primary. In addition to expanding access to affordable housing, aid for entrepreneurs, and an expansion of childcare assistance.

On January 22, I was honored to attend the groundbreaking event at the future site of a 14-acre community central hub which will feature recreation, art, sports, state-of-the-art playgrounds, meeting spaces, renovated space for veterans and much more.  Please see here for more information.

HB 418 Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council

Many nonprofits receive state grants to fund many of their projects.  However, the grant application process can vary considerably among agencies, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies 

In 2020, I sponsored legislation that created the Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council.  The Council was charged with reforming the state’s fragmented grant procedures by creating a standardized application and budget process. The Council was to report its recommendations by July 1, 2024.  However, due to COVID and the lack of staff support over the past 3 years, the Council has been unable to complete a report. 

This year's legislation extends the reporting time and the termination date of the Council so it can complete its work. The Council is also to review the idea of creating an ombudsman position to assist service providers with the grants process. 

HB 655 Environment - State Wetlands - Shoreline Stabilization Measures

Living shorelines are an important stabilization measure to prevent erosion and they hold up better in severe weather than rip rap and concrete bulkheads.  You can see the difference between the two in the pictures below.

Living shorelines incorporate vegetation and living materials, along with natural structures such as rock sills or oyster reefs. They provide habitat for fish, crabs, marine birds, and other marine wildlife.

This bill will provide regulatory and funding incentives to encourage the conversion of hard shorelines to living shorelines.

HB 503 - Public Safety - Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing for Fuel Gas Piping
Systems - Requirements and Prohibitions

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is used to deliver propane and methane gas to homes around the country.  But this tubing is prone to malfunctions that can cause propane and methane leaks to occur, which can set off fires during lightning strikes. 

Since 2018, Maryland has experienced three fatalities (two firefighters, one civilian) because of fires caused by lightning striking such tubing. There have also been several dozen CSST-related fires in Maryland that did not result in death but did result in property damage. 

This bill would adopt testing criteria that the National Association of State Fire Marshal’s (NASFM and, the Fire Service Membership Council (FSMC), have recommended to ensure the safety of CSST used in new buildings and substantially renovated buildings.  It’s called the LC1027 testing criteria, which can withstand lightning strikes in almost all cases. 

HB 807 - Natural Resources – Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Surveys
Underwater grasses—also known as submerged aquatic vegetation or SAV—are plants
that grow in the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its streams, creeks, and
rivers. Underwater grasses are critical to the Bay ecosystem: they provide wildlife with
food and habitat, add oxygen to the water, absorb nutrient pollution, trap sediment, and
reduce erosion. Since 2000, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has
delineated SAV zones for restoration and protection from uprooting and disturbance.
DNR has used aerial surveys to help it determine the health of these zones.

This bill will enable DNR to consider alternative methods for observing and measuring
the growth and development of SAV in protected zones.

UNWANTED MEDICINE DISPOSAL

Every day in America, 90% of us take over-the-counter medication, while 2/3 rely on prescription medication. While these medications can be necessary and even lifesaving, improper medication disposal can lead to accidents or misuse.

MyOldMeds.com provides an easy-to-use database to find a safe, free, and convenient disposal option near you.

      Additional Food Assistance Resources:

• Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) Food and Nutrition Services
• SNAP Emergency Allotments
• Pet Food Assistance
• Senior Food Assistance - Seniors experiencing food access needs may call 410-887-2594 or email aginginfo@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Sincerely,

Dana Stein

Delegate, District 11B, Maryland General Assembly