[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6659840,"mediaKeyId","2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225","parentId",2444812,"title","Delegation notes: community project deadline, hearings on energy and building standards, and local rallies","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",3432000,"endMs",3652000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225&start=3432&end=3652","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225/thumbnail_3432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659840/Maryland/Delegation-notes-community-project-deadline-hearings-on-energy-and-building-standards-and-local-rallies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659840-02f6ba41f089ee5e0352f807bb490439/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165155&Signature=XcFQWNS8SfFk8V-QkioQ5ESgvquLd5Tl~dJ6xECKIDh8hrMkwOr6gMy~mUqviMwWoZxZR0s5~5DOuuqWaLm55F-YOfYocEIEO0K-yQnOoe5m18qs6hf-P7vNETvUsYjL4CXG096X9X1FT7AJSY9SYfdhNsfse7hWiSVID2SnRLg2sHZf0HEnFcLAU7kNswxVxzUnxI0NoXTvHzOJcAE72BJmH94nldwVrGE1RQyTa1dZvXz6K4Y0-oZe5x49xCsoR6wySKhU61YJn3SPMeNrkCGGfm7wfmjCGeZODl54ULPyqMZekaSzEAkxEHYjLSD-Do5bzxmHO19nvldEdvUR7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - House (Other)","date","2025-02-28T15:01:46.927Z","article","Delegation staff and federal representatives gave several brief administrative updates to the Eastern Shore delegation on Tuesday, including a federal funding deadline and upcoming hearings.

A staff member from a member of Congress’s office reminded the group that the congressionally directed spending (community project funding) portal closes next Friday, March 7, and offered to meet with organizations seeking assistance on applications.

Delegate Wayne Hartman announced a March 5 hearing for House Bill 1414, a bill he is sponsoring to exempt government buildings used as shelters, public-safety buildings and certain utility-related facilities from building energy performance standards that would otherwise require electrification for buildings over 35,000 square feet. He asked interested local officials and stakeholders to sign up to testify.

Delegation members also noted that a farmers’ rally and tractor parade were planned in Annapolis the same day as the legislature’s solar hearings, and several legislators asked colleagues to be aware of constituents traveling to State Circle and Lawyer’s Mall to protest or support solar legislation.

Ending: Delegation staff asked members to share questions or requests for follow-up on federal project funding, bill testimony sign-ups, or constituent travel to Annapolis ahead of the hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EAS Committee Session, 2/28/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","Delegation staff reminded members that the congressionally directed spending portal closes March 7, Delegate Hartman announced a March 5 hearing on HB1414 (exempting certain government buildings from building-energy performance standards), and members noted a farmers’ rally relating to solar legislation.","taxTitle","Eastern Shore, Delegation Committees, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15626,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659845,"Local mental-health provider urges lawmakers to reject provider-rate cuts, backs CCBHCs and telehealth",372,2956000,3328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225&start=2956&end=3328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225/thumbnail_2956000.jpg","/articles/6659845/Maryland/Local-mental-health-provider-urges-lawmakers-to-reject-provider-rate-cuts-backs-CCBHCs-and-telehealth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659845-9fc390e405e6461bcdd10754a3f9ba3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165155&Signature=beYuzKzw18hxd4ICXaytT46Edot4D09A8e0GMlzb46oISgeV4czW9pOQhMV6dwp64m4qYyWob4VSCcjFyaW9AxFCXMnzRd3IOXrhGS95fbpen2b-vlS415YLJ0f~q4D4yLlDI4VUWxGW3wnxeR2cdnvgaZ3NWJ7z59g9sZXLi6DJiS5htZNmZyinanwYJm-g1Sx10WOXPr-WknGlILY3PZWhn~cRhq4XGvAsPKES-~cuuw5DWfbWb15eUNH9HXVnRKfYOU7LSn4nP7umAFpWT3HUpPgFCOerhJNE5xio4JjIjQfza2yWF2ebCDdl2RlqjH7xFaH8rFiE8uLpinuwTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KeyPoint Health Services, a behavioral health provider serving Cecil County and other Maryland jurisdictions, urged the Eastern Shore delegation to oppose proposed reductions to provider payments and to support policy changes that expand community behavioral health care.

Russ Weber, a KeyPoint representative, told delegates the organization opposes a proposed 5% cut to child-welfare funding tied to rate reform and a proposed 1% reduction to provider rates. “We just ask that that 1% introduction for the rate stays,” Weber said, asking lawmakers to preserve existing payment levels.

KeyPoint also voiced support for the adoption and expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and for telehealth policies that preserve audio-only and audio-visual services for low-income families. Weber cited long emergency-room wait times and said CCBHCs can reduce avoidable hospital visits and expand access in underserved areas.

The presenters highlighted workforce shortages in behavioral health, noting a recent study the group cited that projected roughly 40% of behavioral health workers could leave Maryland within four to six years. KeyPoint asked the delegation to consider workforce supports and funding that would stabilize the provider network.

KeyPoint closed by urging sustained funding for the 988 crisis line and by offering to share its presentation and follow-up materials with legislators.

Ending: The provider said it will share slides and contact information with delegation staff and invited lawmakers to follow up with specific questions about local behavioral health capacity and Medicaid payment arrangements.","KeyPoint Health Services told the Eastern Shore delegation that proposed cuts to behavioral health provider rates and child-welfare funding would harm services, and urged lawmakers to support certified community behavioral health clinics, telehealth access and 988 funding.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659850,"Municipal League backs civilian review of speed-camera citations and seeks authority for local food-and-beverage fee",325,2633000,2958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225&start=2633&end=2958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225/thumbnail_2633000.jpg","/articles/6659850/Maryland/Municipal-League-backs-civilian-review-of-speed-camera-citations-and-seeks-authority-for-local-food-and-beverage-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659850-eed317618795d63a6163c6720fe84231/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165155&Signature=jJy~uWGv6kGdBpAss5QGxqwUE5a1I-bHdJvuxLBQGnaiiBTZjqOqlfJ44zroZ~q0gSVKwOqRXPNW00T0yTvfbT0rP6HOsj3EtMM1GelK87vmYByfqO-83T7q5bc-D8ipMmU45xy7KMxw9Gk8T5AV3zyWxK3K7QPM7L9571VqgkSC8OQaWBObyaCTy738IZ7~cWS1I0pd3iUZZwLI6v1QP4Hgn8Axn34l4RH~Eha8Ebs9EmYH32q3v7D4QY7lAIUhs6si6qFPIsRb1oMQ6pKVkWV2b2e4~fnbUNkbX6VpAU6y01-HZIOE1y-pcmn9PCEuBXsgnYrVY5xW7jgteoGB-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maryland Municipal League told the Eastern Shore delegation that it supports a pair of bills intended to ease local staffing pressures and expand municipal revenue options without increasing property taxes.

“Currently, it’s exclusively a law enforcement officer that has to do the review,” Bill, a Municipal League presenter, said of the speed-camera review process. The crossfiled bills are Senate Bill 390 and House Bill 343; the league said the change would allow a trained civilian reviewer to handle image review and citation issuance so sworn officers can return to patrol duties.

The league’s advocacy director, Angelica Daley Fuquari, said the bill does not change fine amounts, camera placement rules or the process to contest a citation; it is limited to who may perform the back-end administrative review. “This is literally just changing, or adding an option for local governments on who is the person behind the computer reviewing the images,” she said.

On revenue flexibility, the league’s legislative representative, Justin, described House Bill 997, which would authorize local governments to create a food-and-beverage fee on on-site consumption that would return revenue to the jurisdiction where businesses are located. Justin said the measure is aimed at capturing revenue generated by the state’s large visitor economy without broadening property taxation.

“We have 43 million visitors annually to the state of Maryland,” Justin said. “While they do pay hotel tax if they stay, if they go out and use services, we really don’t capture revenue from the services that they utilize.” The league asked delegations to support the proposal and to consider other revenue tools that would not shift costs to property owners.

Ending: Municipal League speakers asked legislators to consult with town administrators and finance officers on the drafting and to consider the bills as ways to preserve municipal services in the face of flat or reduced state support.","The Maryland Municipal League briefed the Eastern Shore delegation on two municipal priorities: a bill to allow trained civilians to review automated speed-camera citations and a proposal to authorize local food-and-beverage fees for on-site consumption to raise municipal revenue.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659855,"Commerce secretary pitches DECADE Act, targets ‘lighthouse’ industries and regional investment",976,896000,1872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225&start=896&end=1872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225/thumbnail_896000.jpg","/articles/6659855/Maryland/Commerce-secretary-pitches-DECADE-Act-targets-lighthouse-industries-and-regional-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659855-4a92daa585355765796ef564b9a42edb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165155&Signature=JtkdBuwsIR2CbRhKbSOP4pna7uDJIWf1qR1h5ww~U0MXF9eCw-FQMZBO6trSx9s9~3G4YOOKvhRwRDiANp9vzVUhpzo~GvtJoYT2m9JvcQA19EZ8qhYD97X7l9fFTBfCbw~68tPYMrsLUh~C1Kfohkgsb1v3vYjHbFNwnAbEQvN6NGXJi0OZMeTFdH9Ym6oVrvoz~4OkABpbLC3Eoakd5lq0tvyUchm1DIcutVRqjK-Gy25Qno29SMwy~QYMiKczKJo8B16btzS3JX8DvZS-suWn90sNU6eat1S1KfApoDvmZyq3P9rI7U-Zi2pTAmGyBzzhCudsyq3hwXDQWRCr2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr. told Eastern Shore legislators that the administration’s DECADE Act and budget proposals emphasize targeted investments in technology, manufacturing and regional infrastructure to spur long-term growth.

“My question at every meeting is: how can the Department of Commerce become a better partner?” Secretary Coker said, adding that the administration wants to leverage state assets — from military installations to universities — to grow “lighthouse sectors” such as advanced air mobility and quantum computing.

Coker outlined specific spending proposals in the governor’s plan, including $6,000,000 for the Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 program, $10,000,000 for the Build Our Future grants (for innovation infrastructure such as wet labs and prototype centers), $11,000,000 for the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority, an estimated $20,000,000 for small minority- and women-owned business accounts, $22,500,000 for tourism development, and $31,300,000 for the Maryland State Arts Council.

Coker said the DECADE Act also proposes structural changes, including moving some infrastructure-focused programs (for example Build Our Future and the RISE zones program) from the Department of Commerce to “Medco” (the state’s economic development corporation), and strengthening Advantage Maryland incentives by increasing the cap from $5 million to $7.5 million and removing the local 10% match requirement.

“We want to ensure our resources and tools are aligned with our long-term economic development goals,” Coker said. He described the administration’s approach as focusing investment on activities that offer measurable returns in jobs retained or created, businesses retained and startups launched.

Delegate Wayne Hartman and others asked about competitiveness with neighboring states on corporate tax rates and tourism funding. Coker said Commerce will conduct a comparative analysis of peer-state incentives and tax regimes and will make recommendations based on that review. On proposed tourism budget reductions recommended by the Department of Legislative Services, Coker said Commerce disagrees with those cuts and will continue to push back in hearings.

Carl Anderson, director of rural economic strategy at Commerce, told the delegation he is traveling across the Shore to coordinate spaceport, manufacturing and workforce efforts and encouraged local officials to contact Commerce about agency delays or barriers to projects.

Ending: Coker asked for ongoing, year-round dialogue with county and municipal partners and said Commerce would provide analyses and follow-up on comparative tax competitiveness and proposed program changes to assist local officials.","Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr. described the DECADE Act’s priorities for targeted industry investment, proposed program reorganization and specific funding amounts for workforce, small business and tourism programs to the Eastern Shore delegation.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659859,"Maryland counties warn budget shifts would force property tax hikes; Mako opposes solar bill as drafted",675,190000,865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225&start=190&end=865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2444812-7e9535e15957e83ec40eb709c3877225/thumbnail_190000.jpg","/articles/6659859/Maryland/Maryland-counties-warn-budget-shifts-would-force-property-tax-hikes-Mako-opposes-solar-bill-as-drafted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659859-218f1ac99a93ff70eef23c80730a6d0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165155&Signature=PTK3cfQbZvGjIioR4klEpUxcXW-0tsDX4QWtRgeDK8Af24m2HKgJl-L~XSZhqpMmmU82o2Li6xB1wdLoSEfQlR7NWvQFLw-Ns4qDbM9v4JH6A4vK4ugXXg~JxBXNIOeTXJAI-KDuMVB3wY~cBJTKUaBF3PFYjwKCt9~Jsuk-A4A5FeUTQlYr1jKbBrZ2Y46uk7gdPSk3R70rzCBuwW9g9qZpQfww49FOOox9OC4g37tSFbQAEBdXI~dmEtzBZgUBYGo4Qhn2CSSOP90J4~d3X4w11oyJ3IeBKxHThT~ORMCG6AAmudL6vGiE1vwiMAoB8h2UKLY8BGEpoQhlZxUhbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maryland Association of Counties told the Eastern Shore delegation on Tuesday that the governor’s budget reconciliation proposal and related amendments would shift hundreds of millions in costs onto counties, forcing local property tax increases and cuts to services. The association also said it opposes the current draft of House Bill 1036 and Senate Bill 931 on solar siting and battery facilities.

The association’s executive director, Michael Sanderson, and legislative director, Kevin Kennelly, said counties face a mix of “cuts and cost shifts” that would land directly on local budgets. “With the DLS recommendations on top of what the BRFAA is, we’re looking at about a quarter billion dollars in cost shifts and cuts directly onto counties,” Kennelly said.

The association flagged several specific shifts. Kennelly said a proposed transfer of some teacher pension costs to counties would total about $190 million a year; another proposal would shift the costs of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) to county governments; and the elimination of enterprise zones would remove a tool many less-affluent jurisdictions use to attract investment.

“We have been above and beyond on the Blueprint,” Kennelly said, arguing counties already shoulder obligations the state expects them to fund. Sanderson and Kennelly urged delegates to highlight how those changes would affect individual jurisdictions, using Dorchester County as an example of a locality that could struggle to balance its budget without local tax increases or program cuts.

On energy, Dominic (Dom) of the association’s legislative team said the solar siting bill under consideration during that day’s hearings departs from a compromise the association and local officials had negotiated over the interim. Dom said Mako opposes the bill as drafted for five reasons: lack of battery safety provisions, threats to community livability (appearance, noise and other impacts), restrictions on local taxing authority that could reduce revenue, interference with planned affordable housing projects, and provisions that create implementation inefficiencies.

“The bill is divided into three sections. There’s an entire section on utility-scale batteries. Not one word in that section addresses battery safety,” Dom said. He added that Mako and others have proposed amendments the association believes would return the bill to the compromise reached in November, and that negotiations with legislative leaders were ongoing.

The association asked Eastern Shore legislators to amplify those concerns in Annapolis and to support amendments to preserve local authority on taxation and siting, and to add explicit safety standards for battery systems. The presenters did not propose formal motions for the delegation to approve; their comments were informational and aimed at legislative advocacy.

Speakers at the briefing also urged lawmakers to consider how cuts to state programs such as Program Open Space and other conservation-related funds would interact with an aggressive push for more large-scale renewable projects on the Eastern Shore.

Looking ahead, the association said it would continue to participate in hearings and to forward written analyses, budgeting examples and proposed amendments to county officials and delegates who requested them.

Ending: Association staff said they will circulate their Dorchester County budget analysis and suggested amendments to the bills under discussion. Delegation members and staff were invited to contact Mako for deeper briefings and county-level fiscal impact estimates.","The Maryland Association of Counties told Eastern Shore lawmakers that proposed budget reconciliation changes would shift roughly a quarter-billion dollars in costs to counties and that current solar siting legislation raises safety, tax and livability concerns for local governments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Delegation notes: community project deadline, hearings on energy and building standards, and local rallies

Local mental-health provider urges lawmakers to reject provider-rate cuts, backs CCBHCs and telehealth

Municipal League backs civilian review of speed-camera citations and seeks authority for local food-and-beverage fee

Commerce secretary pitches DECADE Act, targets ‘lighthouse’ industries and regional investment

Maryland counties warn budget shifts would force property tax hikes; Mako opposes solar bill as drafted