Governor Wes Moore delivered his annual State of the State address to the General Assembly this week, outlining his vision to “protect, deliver, and lead” in the year ahead. He highlighted progress on jobs and public safety, while sharply rebuking actions in Washington that he said are creating uncertainty for Maryland families and federal workers.
The Governor announced the creation of “Citizenship Maryland,” a new initiative aimed at helping eligible Maryland residents access resources and support to become American citizens. He also emphasized continued investments in education, workforce development, and affordability to ensure Maryland remains competitive and resilient in the face of federal headwinds.
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Check this article for more details. Gov. Moore's speech begins about two minutes into this video from the House floor, and here is a transcript of his remarks.
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Recently, I filed six more bills, for a total of 17-- the most I've ever done! Many of these bills will go to the Non-Energy Utilities Subcommittee, of which I am the Chair.
HB817/SB625-- Carbon Removal Technology and Practices - Regulations and Use of Funding-- Environment and Transportation Committee Hearing on 2/26/2026 at 1pm.
HB1037/SB605-- Public Service Commission - Broadband and Voice Over Internet Protocol Service - Oversight (Broadband Accountability and Affordability Act)-- It awaits a hearing in Environment and Transportation.
HB1071/SB861-- Environment - Stormwater Management - Agricultural Land-- It awaits a hearing in Environment and Transportation.
HB1147/SB842-- Public Service Commission – Administrative Operations and Personnel Matters (Public Service Commission Flexibility Act)-- It awaits a hearing in Environment and Transportation.
HB1164-- Water Companies, Sewage Disposal Companies, and Water and Sewage Disposal Companies – Rate Consolidation and Limited–Income Mechanisms-- It awaits a hearing in Environment and Transportation.
HB1221/SB624-- Public Safety - Short-Term Rental Units - Fire Safety (Jillian and Lindsay Wiener Short-Term Rental Fire Safety Act)-- It awaits a hearing in Economic Matters.
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Four more of my bills were heard in various committees this week:
HB43/SB459-- Local Newspapers for Maryland Communities Act of 2026-- requires state government to spend at least 50% of the budget for print and digital advertising with Maryland news organizations.
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HB106/SB6-- State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Nontenure Track Faculty-- allows these faculty the right to form a union and bargain for better pay and working conditions.
HB141/SB84-- State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants-- allows them the right to form a union and bargain for better pay and working conditions.
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HB210-- Out-of-State Driver Accountability Act-- allows for the MD Department of Transportation to track fines and traffic violations from out-of-state drivers.
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On February 17th at 1 pm, the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee will hear HB167. This bill would start to phase out the use of gasoline powered leaf blowers by state agencies and state contractors on state property.
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Members of the Clarksburg High School Girls' Varsity Flag Football team visited the House this week, and were honored with a citation in recognition of their outstanding achievement. The team is a championship-winning program, earning back-to-back state titles in
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2024 and 2025. Congratulations to the players and coaches on this incredible accomplishment!
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This week, a group of Buddhist monks completed their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. in the name of peace and compassion. They came to Annapolis as their journey concludes. Learn more about it here!
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The Non-Energy Utilities subcommittee of the Environment and Transportation committee held a briefing today on the Potomac River sewage spill. The collapse of a major sewer pipeline near Glen Echo has resulted in millions of gallons of untreated wastewater entering the Potomac River. We heard from the MD Department of the Environment, DC Water, Potomac Riverkeepers, and a University of Maryland Scientist about the issue. Click here to watch the briefing.
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Lillie Carroll Jackson was a pioneering civil rights leader known as the “mother of the civil rights movement,” and a lifelong Marylander. As president of the Baltimore branch of the NAACP for more than three decades, she worked tirelessly to end segregation, fight discriminatory laws, and expand opportunities for Black Marylanders. Her leadership helped lay the groundwork for school desegregation and voting rights reforms across our state.
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Carroll Jackson's home of 22 years was turned into the Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum in Baltimore. Learn more about her and the museum here!
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Do you know someone attending college or graduate school this fall? If they live in District 15, encourage them to apply for my scholarship! Applications will be accepted here through April 30th.
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Don't hesitate to reach out to me at Linda.Foley@house.maryland.gov
with any questions or concerns, or if you wish to meet with me.
You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram, plus Threads, TikTok and Bluesky.
Thank you for the privilege and honor to represent you and the other residents of District 15 in Annapolis.
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Linda Foley
Delegate, District 15, Maryland General Assembly
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