The 2023 Session, which will be remembered as the first session of the “Moore Era”, adjourned Sine Die at midnight on Monday, April 10. As is typical with the 90-day session schedule, most of the real work gets crammed into the last few weeks, even the last 18 hours of the final day. This year was no different.
The difference this year was the perception that this was a gentler, friendlier session than the preceding eight (8) years. I used the word perception intentionally, as it all depends upon your personal political preference as to whether this environment was a love-fest or jam-it-down-their throats power play.
This year, with a Democrat Governor and Democrat super majorities in the House and Senate, Annapolis returned to a more familiar majority-controlled legislative process. Gone were the frequent vetoes, veto overrides and competing media opportunities where a Republican Governor would excoriate his legislative antagonists for overspending and conversely, the House Speaker and Senate President would accuse the Governor of arrogantly ignoring the needs of the state.
No, this felt entirely different.
A popular, charming, and engaging freshman Governor who benefited from a 90-day legislative honeymoon, with a few minor hiccups in his legislative agenda and executive department appointments, celebrated a string of impressive accomplishments as the balloons fell from the balconies of the historic House and Senate chambers.
So what actually got done? Here’s a list, albeit far from comprehensive:
- Reproductive rights (read abortion) is now protected by several bills that passed along party lines. A referendum bill was also passed to give voters the opportunity to enshrine the procedure in the Maryland Constitution. There’s little doubt that this referendum will produce the desired outcome, as pro-choice Democrats widely outnumber pro-life Republicans statewide.
- Gender-affirming medical care. Both the House and Senate passed bills that will allow for and protect medical and surgical treatment for gender transitions. Majority party leaders spoke about trends in red states to restrict this type of care, and wanted to make it clear that those restrictions won’t be tolerated here. There is no doubt that Governor Moore will sign these bills into law.
- Both Chambers passed bills that will restrict the “right to carry” a concealed firearm in certain sensitive locations, even if the possessor also has a MD State Police-issued concealed carry permit. Republicans argued loudly that this might make innocent people MORE vulnerable, as good guys with guns often stop bad guys with guns. Democrats were clearly unimpressed with that argument, although a few more moderate majority members joined the minority in voting against the bills.
- The $15.00 per hour minimum wage, originally scheduled to begin in 2024 through 2025, will now go into effect this year. Gov. Moore sought this during the campaign, along with an automatic mechanism tying the rate to a federal cost of living adjustment. The General Assembly stripped that provision but passed the schedule acceleration.
- Legal sale and possession of cannabis products can begin on July 1, 2023 thanks to the General Assembly and an anticipated signature of the Governor. The retail establishments that received a medical marijuana license will be able to apply for a dual-use license, and new retail stores will also be able to apply. Decisions regarding equity will be used to decide where retail outlets will locate, as well as who can receive these licenses. A tax of 9% will be applied to the sale of these products.
- Environmental legislation that passed includes the Clean Trucks bill to increase the number of electric trucks in the state fleet and on the road generally, and a new wind energy bill that substantially increase the state’s commitment to using wind to generate electricity in the state. A major offshore wind project is still awaiting federal approval (located in the Atlantic off of Ocean City), but isn’t included in this bill.
- A new horse racing authority was created by statute for the purpose of finally accelerating a major planned upgrade to the Pimlico and Laurel racetracks. The General Assembly wasn’t satisfied with the pace of the Pimlico project and feared that further delay might jeopardize The Preakness Stakes.
- The Department of Service and Civic Innovation was created and funded, a major accomplishment for Governor Moore. He sought this new initiative, including an obligation for Maryland school students to fulfill a mandatory term of volunteer service in their own communities.
All in all, a fairly predictable and calm year for the House and Senate, as well as the new Administration.
One note of controversy foreshadows future trouble, though. Just before midnight and the celebratory adjournment, House Republicans, led by former Minority Leader Nic Kipke (R, Anne Arundel), protested from their seats and then staged a walk-out that caused several bills to fail to get a vote before midnight. The angry Republican members were seeking authority under House Rules to “explain their votes”. Speaker Adrienne Jones denied them that right, issuing an arbitrary ruling from the Chair that conflicted with longstanding practice. How this plays out going forward remains to be seen.
– Rick Weldon, President & CEO
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.