I serve on the House Environment and Transportation Committee, so many of the bills I sponsor tackle issues under the jurisdiction of ENT: pedestrian and road safety, clean water and stormwater controls, solid waste disposal, housing, and animal welfare. 

For the 2022 session, which convenes Wednesday, January 12, I have pre-filed five bills, all of which are re-introductions from 2021. Four of the five passed the full House but were never taken up in the Senate.

2022 Session Pre-Filed Bills:

HB0016: Unattended Dogs-Extreme Weather Conditions and Heat (sheltering for dogs in extreme weather)

HB0102: Race and Speed Contests-Penalties (increasing penalties for organized car racing and speed contests)

HB0131: Synthetic Turf and Turf Infill- Chain of Custody (tracking the disposal of synthetic turf playing fields)

HB0174: Landlord and Tenant-Repossession for Failure to Pay Rent (imposing license requirements for residential landlords who have been renting illegally)

HB0191: Spay/Neuter Fund-Extension and Report (renewing an expiring program for low-cost spay and neutering for dogs and cats)

2022 Session Bills in Drafting

·       Allowing counties to lower speed limits to 15 mph following an engineering study;

·       Increasing penalties for drivers of cars with loud, modified exhaust systems;

·       Providing tax rebates for the installation of green infrastructure including rain barrels, rain gardens, permeable pavement, street trees, and green roofs;

·       Requiring equestrians under age 18 to wear a helmet when riding on public trails;

·       Establishing more transparent lease rules for University System of Maryland students living in residence halls built by MEDCO; 

·       Requiring multi-state corporations to combine earnings from all their subsidiaries for Maryland tax filings; 

·       Providing tax rebates to businesses that install mechanical insulation around HVAC equipment; and

·       Establishing an education and outreach program within the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for families and others who lose a loved one to self-harm (suicide or drug overdose).

State Redistricting

Every 10 years, local and state legislatures nationwide make adjustments to legislative boundaries for political representation in Congress, Statehouses, and on county councils and county commissions.

In the 2022 session that convenes January 12, the Maryland General Assembly will consider proposed changes to the 47 House and Senate legislative districts that have been in place for the past decade.

The House Rules and Senate Redistricting Committees will hold a joint public hearing in the first few weeks of the session. A joint Redistricting Resolution with the map would then go to each chamber for a floor vote. Upon final passage by both chambers, it goes into effect. Unlike regular legislation or the Congressional Redistricting map approved by the General Assembly in December, it is not sent to the Governor for approval.

The proposed map can be viewed using the link below. It should allow users to enter a street address complete with zip code to determine the district of any residential or commercial property in Maryland.