[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671107,"mediaKeyId","2333222-5a5749fa8d7e5b5e7bbc172c0bf4683c","parentId",2333222,"title","General Assembly committee backs letters and bills for Annapolis session; holds tobacco enforcement bill","audioSeconds",4942,"startMs",53965,"endMs",4996355,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333222-5a5749fa8d7e5b5e7bbc172c0bf4683c&start=53&end=4996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333222-5a5749fa8d7e5b5e7bbc172c0bf4683c/thumbnail_53965.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671107/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/General-Assembly-committee-backs-letters-and-bills-for-Annapolis-session-holds-tobacco-enforcement-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671107-502b2325918ca34ae7a42cb932afe93b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175650&Signature=keqzPZEOE-6iUiYb14Qb2azVOpzBxux7uZaioRPlBQjVvaXaV8LekkmNZOtB3Ejjrn2OY-EVHO5D-xKh5pCBAW2cc8NDM2TWYha9kMq8w1sE7iN77m1i15Swo~Mx5qezJJyf4ARitOnZLy8QWxxjBziakdCxUvRl4z4GE2zJb03nUDqkHq9soJzUjzHgHyWxD6B9AAN6lHuO~NGsWaAWZyivG3KoEEhFZ7V8TxwyetgjnS-9PpWjrnuwhon9q-kY0-jRi8ZNN17ZW1cWiuSY2WZlfMoB117nj340LuwUcwt4zoco2xzEwvdurJP~lYmnnKrlw4tNT4bKJbh5CbZW9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince George","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Prince George's County General Assembly Committee members voted on several positions for the 2025 Maryland legislative session, approving a letter opposing state appropriations for the proposed magnetic levitation (Maglev) transportation project, recommending support for multiple bills including a local critical-area tree-liability measure and a Maryland Reparations Commission bill, and voting to hold legislation on seizure authority for tobacco and electronic smoking devices pending further review.

The committee first approved a letter to the county’s state delegation asking them not to support state appropriations for the Maglev project. Vice Chair Wanika Fisher moved to approve the letter and Chair Calvin Hawkins seconded; the motion carried 3-0.

Why it matters: committee endorsements and formal county letters are commonly forwarded to Prince George’s County’s House and Senate delegations in Annapolis and are intended to represent local government positions on high-profile state matters during the general assembly session.

The committee also moved favorably on a series of local and state bills and resolutions, either recommending support to the county’s delegation or taking positions the committee will communicate to their delegation and the general assembly. Those measures included a Prince George’s County-specific provision concerning liability for tree-cutting in Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bay critical areas (House Bill 1470), the legislation to create a Maryland Reparations Commission (House Bill 1422), a buprenorphine training grant program for emergency responders (House Bill 1131), a data center impact analysis and report (House Bill 270/Senate Bill 116), and the Maryland Values Act limiting certain local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (House Bill 1222). Most of those motions were approved unanimously by members present.

The committee voted to hold House Bill 1241, which would expand enforcement authority and add a wholesaler license for electronic smoking devices and other tobacco products, to allow more time for the Office of the County Executive and public safety officials to review specific enforcement provisions (including the proposed no-warrant seizure authority). Vice Chair Fisher moved to hold; Council Member Oriada seconded; the motion to hold carried 4-0.

The committee also added Senate Bill 979 / House Bill 1103 (hotel-accommodation tax collection for short-term rental intermediaries such as Airbnb and VRBO) to the meeting agenda and subsequently voted to support that bill; members said the bill would centralize collection through the state controller and remit funds back to counties. That motion carried 3-0.

What the votes were (summary): all votes below reflect the votes recorded in the committee meeting minutes and roll calls.

- Motion to approve a letter opposing state appropriations for Maglev: moved by Vice Chair Wanika Fisher; seconded by Chair Calvin Hawkins. Vote: Chair Calvin Hawkins — aye; Vice Chair Wanika Fisher — aye; Council Member Oriada — aye. Outcome: approved (3-0).

- Motion favorable on House Bill 1470 (Prince George's County Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bay critical area: limits on liability for cutting/clearing trees): mover recorded as Vice Chair Wanika Fisher; seconded by Council Member Oriada. Vote recorded during roll call: Chair Calvin Hawkins — aye; Vice Chair Wanika Fisher — aye; Council Member Crystal Bridal — aye; Council Member Harrison — aye. Outcome: favorably recommended (4-0).

- Motion favorable on House Bill 1422 (Maryland Reparations Commission): moved by Council Member Wanika Fisher; seconded by Council Member Oriada. Vote: recorded as unanimous among members present (4-0). Outcome: favorably recommended (4-0).

- Motion favorable on House Bill 1131 (buprenorphine training grant program and work group): moved by Council Member Oriada; seconded by Vice Chair Wanika Fisher. Vote: unanimous among members present (4-0). Outcome: favorably recommended (4-0). Note: bill would require the governor to allocate at least $50,000 annually from the opioid restitution fund for training grants.

- Motion favorable on House Bill 1222 (Maryland Values Act — limitations on state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement): moved by Council Member Oriada; seconded by Vice Chair Wanika Fisher. Vote: unanimous among members present (4-0). Outcome: favorably recommended (4-0).

- Motion to hold House Bill 1241 (other tobacco products and electronic smoking devices; seizure and wholesaler license requirements): moved by Vice Chair Wanika Fisher; seconded by Council Member Oriada. Vote: unanimous among members present (4-0). Outcome: held for further review (4-0).

- Motion favorable on House Bill 270 / Senate Bill 116 (data center impact analysis and report): moved by Council Member Oriada; seconded by Vice Chair Wanika Fisher. Vote: unanimous among members present (4-0). Outcome: favorably recommended (4-0). The bill directs multiple state agencies and the University of Maryland School of Business to deliver a final report by September 1, 2026, assessing environmental, energy, and fiscal impacts of data center development.

- Motion to add Senate Bill 979 (and companion House Bill 1103) to the agenda and motion to support SB 979 (hotel/accommodation tax collection for short-term rental intermediaries): motion to add carried 3-0 on an impromptu agenda addition; a subsequent motion to support SB 979 carried 3-0. Outcome: added to agenda and favorably recommended (3-0).

What the committee did not decide: the committee did not adopt positions on several informational items (alcohol licensing bills and a housing briefing were discussed as updates), and it deferred further action on HB 1241 to allow the county executive’s office and public safety stakeholders additional time for review.

Speakers and presenters whose remarks are recorded in the meeting transcript include Chair Calvin Hawkins; Vice Chair Wanika Fisher; Council Members Crystal Bridal, Oriada, Moriarty and Harrison; committee staff (Clerk/Mr. Cooper); and presenters Lorenzo Bellamy (on HB 1470), Ron Young (on HB 1422 and HB 1131), Daryl Carrington (on HB 1222), Teresa Hessler (state education Blueprint updates and HB 270 briefing), Jimmy Tullo (budget/BRFR briefing), and a representative from the Office of the County Executive identified as Skinner. Quotations in this report are taken directly from the committee’s transcript and are attributed only to the speakers listed in the official record.

Ending: The committee signaled that the next several weeks will be active for tracking these measures in Annapolis, and it scheduled additional briefings — including a county briefing from the governor’s office on housing legislation and an energy update — for future committee meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince George - General Assembly Committee - Feb 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Prince George's County General Assembly Committee members voted to send a letter opposing state funding for a proposed Maglev project and to recommend support for several state and local bills going to the 2025 Maryland General Assembly; the committee also held House Bill 1241 (tobacco/electronic-smoking-device seizure and licensing) for more review.","taxTitle","Prince George's County, Maryland","taxId",3378,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671102,"County committee hears blueprint and BRFR briefing as leaders warn of multi-billion-dollar state shortfall",1189,1720535,2910065,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333222-5a5749fa8d7e5b5e7bbc172c0bf4683c&start=1720&end=2910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333222-5a5749fa8d7e5b5e7bbc172c0bf4683c/thumbnail_1720535.jpg","/articles/6671102/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/County-committee-hears-blueprint-and-BRFR-briefing-as-leaders-warn-of-multi-billion-dollar-state-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671102-33ac94061305b6323a5be2f86af3dbce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175650&Signature=DB-FX~LVIBGcz4autqvOTMWJyLu3nEwcrRglcm0i1tbLMolIW6QK5K7WHsNBFTDAB8pZFDd0PWgwwHHHWDnaDJM7Vbf80vQdQ3770sUONer6wvHvJcbZZoScFu352bt6iNynQ7qjnm1O-XiiUKT2EvhQ7oAImkB3IGZ05lyt8GyokSPFOvlB45K9L9ImHhmIaDCHj6XgZumbg3SMADjZUTKDD-tx8qFlnw7PYZV~Dd~d4owV0Pae84E5BRnCXciHXat6IQVCzvOKtrp8QnPcSdPp4OsQMWhxQL-sXoPf5udrvit5Y-XzE1wGvtzXeS7a-Eei7~uZT5lVcIOwn6Yvig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prince George's County General Assembly Committee members heard a detailed briefing on the state’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and the associated budget reconciliation measures that could force near-term delays or cuts to education and other programs. Presenters said the state faces a budget gap that was initially estimated at about $3 billion and that federal and other liabilities could increase downside risk to as much as $6 billion. Committee members described the coming weeks as critical for county finances and said they will brief and coordinate with the county’s state delegation.

Why it matters: the state’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and the accompanying budget language determine funding for K–12 per-pupil allocations, community schools, bilingual/multilingual learners, special education, and other county-level services. If the state delays or reduces funding, Prince George’s County could face significant local budgetary obligations and program implementation delays.

What presenters said: Teresa Hessler (AGR/state relations) summarized proposed adjustments in Governor Wes Moore’s FY2026 budget and linked bills — the Excellence in Maryland’s Public Schools Act (House Bill 5504 / Senate Bill 429) — which include changes to the per-pupil foundation amount, timelines for collaborative time pilots and special education per-pupil amounts, and a proposed freeze on increases to concentration-of-poverty grants for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 while maintaining FY2026 funding levels. Hessler said the proposed changes could affect roughly $80,000,000 in combined state and local funding tied to targeted supports for multilingual learners for FY2026 (allocation by county not yet specified).

Jimmy Tullo (presenting on BRFR/budget reconciliation) described the fiscal process and timelines: parallel budget and BRFR legislation, committee hearing dates, March 11 committee report dates, crossover on March 17, and an overall budget deadline of March 31. He highlighted several risk drivers: potential federal cuts to Medicaid share, an outstanding possible Child Victims Act settlement (discussed as having very large potential liability with several thousand claims), and uncertainty over federal reconciliation and executive actions. Tullo explained that initial deficit estimates of approximately $3 billion could grow to $6 billion if federal funding percentages change or additional liabilities crystallize. He noted the possibility of a special session or actions by the Board of Public Works if the General Assembly cannot reach a solution.

Local impacts discussed by committee members included: shifting of costs to counties (for example, teacher retirement and community college employee retirement costs were cited as potential county responsibilities), reductions in state grants that Prince George’s County may need to make up, the potential end of the highway user fund in FY2027 if state law changes, and the downstream effect on transfer and recordation taxes should widespread job losses or foreclosures occur. Council members stressed that Prince George’s County’s heavy reliance on residential property tax revenue and the local share of education spending make the county especially sensitive to state funding changes.

Committee direction and next steps: members asked staff to coordinate direct briefings for the county’s state delegation and to request that county executives and local delegation offices meet with the committee to provide a unified presentation of county impacts. Committee leadership said staff will schedule additional briefings, invite the county executive’s social-services leadership to an HHSPS committee meeting to outline priorities and contingency plans, and ask Brad Fallon from the governor’s office to brief the committee on housing legislation at a future meeting.

Key figures and dates from the briefing (as presented to the committee):

- State deficit discussed: approximately $3,000,000,000 initially; presenters cited downside scenarios up to about $6,000,000,000 if federal cuts or large settlements materialize (presenter: Jimmy Tullo).

- Data center report deadline (from related briefing): September 1, 2026 (presenter: Teresa Hessler).

- BRFR / budget process dates presented: key hearings February 27; committees expected to move bills March 11; crossover March 17; final budget deadline March 31 (presenter: Jimmy Tullo).

- Education funding impact referenced: approximately $80,000,000 in combined state/local funding tied to multilingual learners for FY2026; county-level allocation not provided (presenter: Teresa Hessler).

Speakers and roles: presenters included Teresa Hessler (AGR/state relations), Jimmy Tullo (Barnes International, budget briefing), Jimmy/Charlie Tarlow (presenter referencing BRFR process), and committee members including Chair Calvin Hawkins and Vice Chair Wanika Fisher. The Office of the County Executive representative (Skinner) participated and voiced county concerns about transferring responsibilities without dedicated funding.

Ending: Committee members described the upcoming weeks as likely to bring rapid changes, requested immediate follow-up briefings with the county’s delegation and executive staff, and asked staff to prepare contingency information for county decision-makers.","The committee received a briefing that described a possible $3 billion to $6 billion state fiscal shortfall and outlined proposed delays and funding changes to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future that could shift costs and responsibilities to counties including Prince George's County.","actionData","errors"]

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General Assembly committee backs letters and bills for Annapolis session; holds tobacco enforcement bill

County committee hears blueprint and BRFR briefing as leaders warn of multi-billion-dollar state shortfall