Dear Friends,

My schedule has been packed with meetings before and in between session and committee!

This week alone, the Senate Finance Committee has held 29 bill hearings! Monday will mark 64 days left in the legislative Session, it is also the deadline for the Senate to submit bills without the bills being held in the Rules Committee. We are working hard to make every moment count.

I have "dropped" 4 more bills this week:

SB695 Labor and Employment - Uninsured Employers' Fund Board - Membership and Reserves: This bill changes the membership of the Uninsured Employers' Fund Board and requires the Board to create reserves to cover potential losses in the Uninsured Employers' Fund.
SB696 Public Health - Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients: This bill expands the Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Registry and Referral System to include both private and state mental health and substance use services. It also requires the Maryland Department of Health to ensure that pediatric patients who stay in hospitals longer than necessary are placed in the least restrictive setting.
SB697 Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Premium Discounts - Methodology: This bill requires that premium discounts from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund be based on the insured’s income and backed by proper data to ensure they are fair and justified.
SB776: Workgroup to Study the Rise in Adverse Decisions in the State Health Care System – Establishment: This bill creates a workgroup to examine the increase in adverse decisions within the State's health care system. The workgroup will review current reporting requirements for health insurers in the state and make recommendations for improvement. They are required to report their findings and suggestions by December 1, 2025.

As we move forward, I encourage you to stay informed by regularly checking the MGA website for updates and to view the latest legislation.

BGE Bills & Rate Increases

My office has heard from many constituents about the increases they are seeing on their BGE bills. BGE has provided the document below to explain these increases. The distribution rates and Multi-Year Plan (MYP) reconciliation charges help fund critical infrastructure improvements.

For those seeing higher bills, much of this is due to increased energy usage during the cold weather. Our heating systems are consuming more energy to maintain warmth when it’s extremely cold outside.

I encourage you to visit the links from BGE for energy-saving tips and assistance resources. We are here to help!

BGE Energy Savings Tips for Customers During Extreme Cold

BGE Ready to Provide Safe and Reliable Service during Winter https://www.bge.com/.../bge-ready-to-provide-safe-and...
BGE “We’re Here to Help” page on bge.com https://www.bge.com/my-account/customer-support/bill-help

A full explanation of their multi-year infrastructure investment plan can be found on the BGE website.

BGE's 2025 Energy Bill Information for BGE Customers - Reference Guide, provides an overview of expected increases based on an average combined residential gas and electric customer and can be viewed HERE.

Resources Available:

BGE Assistance Finder: bge.com/AssistanceFinder
LINK to Anne Arundel County Resource Directory - Financial Assistance - Utilities
ACDS Virtual BGE Information Session - this LINK will take you to the Teams Meeting link as described below.

This week, I had the privilege of meeting with advocates and representatives from a variety of organizations. Thank you to the volunteers from Moms Demand Action in Anne Arundel County, Maryland Just Power Alliance, and Susan G. Komen for visiting and sharing their priorities with me and my staff!

Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth returned to the Maryland Senate so we could send her our best wishes as she takes on her new role representing District 3 in Congress. She was an outstanding Senator, and I have no doubt she’ll be an incredible Congresswoman. Congresswoman Elfreth passed the “baby senator” trophy, which now goes to Senator Dalys Attar of District 41!

Senate Office Schedule

My office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm during the session to schedule appointments and provide constituent service. We are scheduling virtual and in-person appointments with myself or staff.

You can schedule by calling or emailing the office at pamela.beidle@senate.state.md.us or 410-841-3593. We are always happy to assist you.

I enjoy hearing all my constituent's thoughts and concerns. Please continue to stay in touch with me. I encourage everyone to be involved in government and have their voice heard.

Thank you to all of District 32 for allowing me to serve as your State Senator.

Sincerely,

Pamela Beidle

Senator, District 32, Maryland General Assembly

Unemployment Insurance Assistance

We understand that navigating the Unemployment Insurance claim process can be overwhelming and time-consuming. That's why we are here to help.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with their claim, simply click the link provided and fill out our Unemployment Insurance Assistance Form. We will contact our District Liaison regarding your claim.

2025/2026 Senatorial Scholarship

The 2025/2026 Senatorial Scholarship application is now available! If you are a resident of District 32 and a college-bound High School senior or currently attend a Maryland college or university, you’re eligible to apply. Simply fill out the application at www.pambeidle.com/scholarships by April 4th, 2025.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Anne Arundel County Winter Relief

This winter season, Anne Arundel County will utilize several county facilities as warming relief locations to support community members during anticipated prolonged cold weather. Community members who need temporary relief from the cold weather can stop in and utilize the designated facilities during their normal business hours. For more information, click HERE.

When temperatures drop we encourage residents and visitors to do the following:

Dress in layers to stay warmer for longer. This also gives you more flexibility to remove layers while still staying warm.
Prepare for the unexpected. Most hypothermia cases occur due to an unexpected change in the weather or temperature, so keep extra gloves, hats, and a coat in your car.
Wear a warm hat when going outside.
Avoid getting wet when the temperatures drop.
Wear waterproof boots or shoes to keep your feet dry.

Drink plenty of water and avoid nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol, which can cause dehydration.

Free Ridership February 4: Transit Equity Day

In recognition of Transit Equity Day, Tuesday February 4th. MTA will offer free rides across ALL services. Transit Equity Day is dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of civil rights icon, Rosa Parks.

For complete details, visit https://www.mta.maryland.gov/articles/481.

February Caregiver Workshops

The Department of Aging and Disabilities will hold caregiver support groups both in-person and via Zoom platform during the month of February.

The Glen Burnie support group will meet on Wednesday, February 5th, (1:00-2:30 P.M.) at 7320 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie. This is an in-person support group. Advanced registration is not required.

The Annapolis support group will meet on Tuesday, February 18th (12:30-2:00 P.M.) in the Independence Room at 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis. This is an in-person support group. Advanced registration is not required.

The virtual support group will meet on Monday, February 24th (6:00-7:30 P.M.). Please contact caregiver_support@aacounty.org for the Zoom link.

Please note that if Anne Arundel County Public schools are closed or close early due to inclement weather, then the in-person support groups will be cancelled.

Family caregivers and military caregivers, living in or caring for someone in Anne Arundel County, are also invited to join our Facebook Support Group page. We hope this gives you the opportunity to connect with each other, share your concerns and your experiences, and hopefully, laugh in between meeting times. For those of you unable to attend the daytime meetings due to work schedules or other commitments, this format provides you with the opportunity to connect, share with, and support other caregivers. You can find the group on Facebook.com/ArundelSeniors.

Anyone needing accommodations must contact Anne Kaiser at 410-222-4377 or caregiver_support@aacounty.org at least seven days in advance of the event. TTY users, please call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1. All materials are available in an alternative format upon request.

Anne Arundel County Library News

Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) officials announced that a community meeting has been scheduled to receive input on the new Glen Burnie Library.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 11 from 6-8 pm at the Harundale Presbyterian Church, located next to the library. Additional community meetings will be held in the future and a survey is available now through Feb. 7th and in the branch to provide input on the new building. The new 40,000-square-foot facility, to be built on the footprint of the existing site, will include the county’s Cultural Resources Lab & Local History Resource Center. The current building was opened in 1969.

Residents and customers can follow the process of the new building on the library’s website at aacpl.net/newlibrary. Additionally, questions can be submitted via email to NewGlenBurnie@aacpl.net.

Please click the image below to access the survey.

Glen Burnie Better Plaza

Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) and Better Block Foundation announced the Glen Burnie Better Plaza, a placemaking project that re-envisions the Glen Burnie Town Center as a vibrant and inviting gathering space for the community.

The Project Kickoff was held earlier this week. Please complete the project survey by February 3rd to provide your input! To take the public survey, go to Betterblock.org/glenburnie

Community Events/Opportunities

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