[{"_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",6620371,"mediaKeyId","2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3","parentId",2811688,"title","Votes at a glance: Economic Matters Committee moves multiple bills favorably","audioSeconds",172,"startMs",653000,"endMs",825000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3&start=653&end=825","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3/thumbnail_653000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6620371/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Economic-Matters-Committee-moves-multiple-bills-favorably","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620371-5e505568619e3ccd0319e781ab4d0208/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448472&Signature=LpwBlYHmc1H9z~mGUagGlZa5-eL~hJbUC-yjDbVsHugTC6ovD~lWqqj2mEGi-dtg2Q8ESXcyosRRwfroUvi6bApe7XEYr3hA4HvklS-InEZL8tKY6Myis7D1iQILbUqUd8swCygxBtHTgSSMJCShzEikQNBrIwXF67ELNzUxmu~GF9D~H4z7r0d3kEaIS2DfDJFI5323Q-vX69L8Gh67Ibu4IEUvXmDEGpUSoJm8v4r9-ruLXqlonpSI5gh9BucIKNHHRw7YEV8AzMzwMRESGFRd05HuSdN8Ibp4w0~f30C6qyo-mNL9awCkZdFunzirCcb4-ndqtQjeHb3bnlbtkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Economic Matters","date","2025-03-28T17:52:45.33Z","article","The Economic Matters Committee on Tuesday moved a broad set of measures across multiple voting lists. Several bills were handled on the consent calendar and by individual roll call; the committee also removed one bill from consent and requested reprints on amendments before floor action.

Key outcomes recorded in the committee transcript (not exhaustive of every agenda item) include:

- Vote list 13 (alcohol bills): Committee moved the consent calendar favorably for all items on vote list 13 except Senate Bill 972, which was withdrawn from consent and held out for separate consideration.

- House Bill 1126 (child support arrearage-to-work pilot): Moved favorably (see separate article for discussion).

- House Bill 1348 (solicitation after disaster): Amended and moved favorably; sponsors removed a 48-hour ban, added a five-day rescission right, and redefined \"disaster\" to require emergency-response involvement; reprint requested before floor vote.

- Senate Bill 37 / House Bill 121 (electric company reporting on regional transmission organization votes): Moved favorably by roll call.

- Senate Bill 41 / House Bill 825 (comptroller member of Small Business Retirement Savings Board): Moved favorably by roll call.

- Senate Bill 114 (veteran status notation on occupational licenses): Moved favorably.

- Bill 127 (governor appointments to State Board of Stationary Engineers require Senate confirmation): Moved favorably.

- Senate Bill 149 / House Bill 128 (report on assessed cost of greenhouse gas emissions): Moved favorably.

- A number of other cross-filed measures (e.g., SB209/HB78; SB228/HB30; SB261/HB63; SB263/HB92; SB279/HB895; SB285/HB575; SB544/HB559; SB631/HB? etc.) were moved forward as recorded; the transcript shows multiple unanimous or near-unanimous favorable motions and several roll-call votes. Where a delegate is recorded as \"excused\" (for example, Delegate Queen or Delegate Buoffo), that is noted in the transcript.

- Senate Bill 984: Committee recorded an unfavorable motion and the unfavorable motion passed as recorded in the transcript.

- Senate Bill 431 (apprenticeship office) and Senate Bill 522 (builder warranty disclosures) were discussed in detail and moved favorably; SB431 carries a revised fiscal note of $1.5 million ongoing.

Procedural notes from the meeting: committee members repeatedly requested reprints of amended bills before final floor votes and held several bills to allow members more time to read late-distributed amendments. The committee chair delayed certain votes to accommodate those requests.

This summary captures the disposition of many bills as reflected in the committee transcript; it does not attempt to reproduce every roll-call name-by-name. For articles on bills that drew substantive debate, see individual write-ups in this package.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECM Committee Session, 3/28/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The committee advanced a large slate of bills across several calendars (vote lists 13, 12 and 14), moving many measures favorably by consent or roll call; several items were excused or withdrawn from consent as noted in committee discussion.","taxTitle","Economic Matters Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15059,"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},6620376,"Committee advances bill requiring builders to disclose remaining warranties at closing",168,2502000,2670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3&start=2502&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3/thumbnail_2502000.jpg","/articles/6620376/Maryland/Committee-advances-bill-requiring-builders-to-disclose-remaining-warranties-at-closing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620376-b1938d5ec38aceae6d44c79235fcdd73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448472&Signature=YEQf0Z4J0wSHnS0fr0Z~rQTF5NYe4RDG1jVSqjJ-xtugwAkxAnh7ONLQP67fkVFMhP6dH5Jh1tcoiooxVPQMw4PBjmHwLkqhTPGliyRGzeSN1R7xXuFHsNnNUq9lzunk5dppHg-ML6xYvI5zO9W2QqJ-dp2cmovCp22osMhVqYADY8u19-o-wbr9Hewynt~AF83gonKC87BGAt8gFkwOVhS-NysOrR8YcA83LkLF3m1V15kCoyFdpieMzDapAFmpp5J1tOVzgLQeaWI5MY3G33VU3df8EQEjVihtI9x42oc44b7~nRkbojJY3oMxLtugzfHmYpJNGk1rRLsQCWzMzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Matters Committee voted to move Senate Bill 522 favorably; the bill requires a person registered as a home builder in the state to provide, at closing for the initial sale of a new home, specified information about warranties for appliances installed by the builder.

Supporters said the bill aims to prevent surprise warranty shortfalls — for example, if appliances were installed early in the construction process and buyers later find less warranty time remains than they expected. \"Homeowner buys the house presuming there's at least a 5 year warranty, doesn't understand 3 of those years has already gone up,\" a committee member said during discussion, summarizing the sponsor's concern.

Committee members questioned how warranties and registrations operate in practice and whether the bill would actually ensure a buyer can enforce longer warranty coverage. Some members explained that warranty terms and registration practices vary by manufacturer and that registration often defines the party responsible for warranty service. \"Warranty terms can vary depending on manufacturer,\" counsel said; in some cases an HVAC contractor may register a unit on behalf of the homeowner. Members also noted the bill contains no civil penalties and appears intended as an information disclosure to consumers rather than a new enforcement regime.

Several committee members expressed practical concerns about compliance. One member said builders routinely install HVAC equipment months before closing to allow finishing work and asked whether builders can know or are required to register warranties in a way that provides the disclosure the bill requires. Counsel and other members responded that, in practice, registration and warranty administration often happen at or after closing and may be handled by contractors, manufacturers or the buyer.

The motion to move the bill favorably carried; discussion does not record a penalty mechanism or detailed compliance procedures. Supporters said the bill is intended to improve consumer information at the time of sale; implementation details around registration and documentation were left to administrative or industry practice in the committee record.","Senate Bill 522, reported favorably, would require registered home builders to provide buyers the remaining warranty information for appliances, including HVAC, at closing; committee members debated how warranties and registrations operate in practice and noted the bill contains no enforcement penalties.",{"_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},6620380,"Committee advances bill to create state registered-apprenticeship office and programs, fiscal note trimmed",185,2075000,2260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3&start=2075&end=2260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3/thumbnail_2075000.jpg","/articles/6620380/Maryland/Committee-advances-bill-to-create-state-registered-apprenticeship-office-and-programs-fiscal-note-trimmed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620380-8327254abe985f655973a1b46cc74c4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448472&Signature=nEykNupiyLNo3td~RAJe-NwWEIdnTjjMyEpd1ki-nVVvqnLVup1KfYlpatw5DrphTFiJBZioxR2~VefgwkFIEtDJ1LcdOzNRWSL1fh49Yu4h2oD0hhoBKIuzjAbD-AKJGFm3RDAHP60bA6oybdFhkelcmZRZsBJmjnGKWSXXfXiYBwQZAjQBVSHhV~PygFDE9kyrGhKCpuyHs8bwA3d2WF6COeafq-BsJVDKYi-~elxOAOAkrq-wq38Rv~9yHiW-vmfopI2~-4BrjPFBmjPYaipzdazPzMnISsPZunsmcPXDXonCUh5O8tKgPG2cDpJdX2x2Q1CjakpcXKQZIVc1XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 431, which would establish the Maryland Office of Registered Apprenticeship Development, related intermediary and pay-per-apprentice programs, and an advisory board within the Maryland Department of Labor, was reported favorably by the Economic Matters Committee after amendments.

Committee members debated scope and cost. Staff summarized changes made since the House version: removal of an automatic licensure provision for plumbing and adjustments to ratios that had been points of negotiation between labor groups and the administration. An advisory board addition was noted as a new element in the current draft.

A revised fiscal note presented during the hearing placed the cost at $1.5 million for the first year and $1.5 million annually thereafter. \"The fiscal note is $1,500,000 for the current year and will be $1,500,000 moving forward,\" a committee staffer said. Some members said they support apprenticeship programs but questioned whether unions and existing apprenticeship infrastructure already cover similar functions; one member said that concern led to a planned \"no\" vote, citing union-run programs and dues funding.

Opponents raised cost concerns. \"It's expensive,\" one member said during the fiscal discussion. Supporters argued the program would centralize and expand apprenticeship capacity and establish an advisory board and intermediary program to coordinate employers, training providers and apprentices.

Committee discussion also covered technical differences between the House and Senate versions. Sponsors said the administration sought to provide amendments to the Senate version before crossover to match the House-passed language.

The committee moved the amended bill favorably after discussion and a recorded vote; the transcript shows the motion carried. The committee did not provide detailed program implementation timelines or the specific uses of the $1.5 million special fund in the hearing recorded in the transcript.","Senate Bill 431 would establish the Maryland Office of Registered Apprenticeship Development and related programs; committee amendment reduced the fiscal note to $1.5 million annually and removed an auto-licensure provision.",{"_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},6620385,"Committee amends solicitation ban for disaster victims, gives localities flexibility",205,1135000,1340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3&start=1135&end=1340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3/thumbnail_1135000.jpg","/articles/6620385/Maryland/Committee-amends-solicitation-ban-for-disaster-victims-gives-localities-flexibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620385-fc1b6e9baa7c02a958122bc1d480331c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448472&Signature=m8UqefiejcVZS0ZVLNaTT-3vteJxQ~5DJn6qja~7io85otAKd~rFG9Bkub9HZA1Yw2GwJQeTZ1RLTAmp0D2Fao-35zGu1~OKKSPw20RENOggHddl~~Dgo5d2rhWTjGr0NZpcSC1ttCSsZg~L77RH2EsUNq8ySf30pge0Va0peKCnw-9sz3FtBZ~XgNWtYP9Ila4fRLu1yR1SpafSQ4LZP8o0Q2upZsFoG7NBe9Iq-RiK0oREiF2hvlttYsw3rRMQ8N3zH36K1fDl9pplzJ6FJLfq9MciVEG1ONYcJHI4kcunYUqznT3wp6HcNvf8gl3gfaFrjFtvYHBBk4LQCYLlGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Matters Committee amended and advanced House Bill 1348 on Tuesday, altering an original draft that would have broadly prohibited contractors from soliciting disaster victims. Sponsors said they removed a strict 48-hour ban and narrowed the bill's scope to events that require emergency-response services, and they granted local governments authority to set in-person solicitation limits.

Under the amendments explained during committee, the bill's definition of \"disaster\" was revised to require a serious event that causes harm to a home, building or other structure and that requires emergency-response services such as EMS or fire response. The measure also reclassifies certain \"disaster-mitigating services\" as home improvements and grants homeowners a five-day right of rescission for contracts entered under those circumstances.

A committee speaker summarized the package: the bill \"removes the 48 hours requirement that was originally in the bill. It defines disaster to mean a serious event that causes harm to a home building or other structure and requires emergency response services. ... It provides the homeowners a 5 day right of rescission, and it allows the locals to determine the limitations placed on any in person solicitations.\" The sponsor said the narrower definition was intended to avoid covering routine incidents such as minor basement flooding or small kitchen fires.

Members also discussed logistics and received multiple sets of amendments during committee. The amended motion to move the bill favorably carried; the transcript shows members voting and recorded a favorable motion. The committee did not specify penalty structures for violations in the discussion recorded in the transcript.

Committee members asked for a reprint of the amended bill before any floor vote; one member explicitly requested additional time to review the reprint. The sponsor and staff agreed to delay any floor action until members had a chance to review the new language.

The bill as amended places new disclosure and consumer-protection elements on certain post-disaster home improvement solicitations while giving counties and municipalities latitude to set local limits and enforcement parameters.","House Bill 1348 was amended in committee to remove a 48-hour blanket bar on solicitation of disaster victims, redefine \"disaster\" to require emergency-response involvement, classify certain mitigation services as home improvements, and give local jurisdictions authority over in-person solicitation limits and a five-day rescission for homeowners.",{"_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},6620389,"Committee advances pilot to link child support arrears with job placement",53,817000,870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3&start=817&end=870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2811688-2fb3c7d442aabeb26683b9bcdd4d2cf3/thumbnail_817000.jpg","/articles/6620389/Maryland/Committee-advances-pilot-to-link-child-support-arrears-with-job-placement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620389-29be14bae0e45b12bc9093c2dd721b91/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448472&Signature=QqsWNXE80mBZuKKN4Mq6y1lv19G5gqayyUg6OrXEA6ybxB3qRRIgiDlQdttAgD-Rl~z4opfL4pHM6Y37GwFh2COIN4CGP87Q27M~g9ZVuDD28wi3UXGql6lAxaE0Fj~dtAvQceP7O02RRShfvMir0YMGVJfldLpqBVvEAuq0tjZF~L15w96POAjz-7idbES4tsbStrIaFs-ApECmiKsF2jxnAPqqsIBI2u6MzCeMNXbQqVUTzDiUAis4UtdIqApPsBMEtauQCha2nd92E-~BV8HZo5zVhiNhU8PdG~JgPK1hQcugAi0mcPA5wukXIfHx~DLc6caG1khxaQmiAfDMWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Matters Committee on Tuesday voted to move House Bill 1126 favorably, a pilot program that would authorize the Maryland Department of Labor to help people who are behind on child support find work.

Supporters said the program does not change existing child support obligations but aims to connect unemployed obligors with jobs so existing enforcement tools — including court-ordered wage garnishment — can resume. \"It's a pilot program so the Department of Labor can help those who are behind on child support figure out ways to help them find jobs,\" said Delegate Ambre, who described the bill during committee consideration.

Committee members asked whether the bill would waive existing child support requirements; sponsors and staff replied it would not. \"No. Quite the opposite,\" said a committee speaker in response to whether the program would reduce obligations. Committee members also noted that courts and the Office of Child Support retain authority to enforce and garnish wages once an obligor becomes employed.

Members pressed for clarification about enforcement and mechanics. \"If they get a job, how will we ensure arrearages are paid to the parties?\" asked Delegate Rose. The sponsor and staff said placement would allow garnishment through existing court processes: \"By the very nature of the court system, their wage would be garnished,\" a sponsor explained.

The committee recorded the motion as favorable and proceeded with a roll-call routine typical of the day's consent and regular calendars. The motion to move the bill forward was approved by the members present; the transcript records that several delegates voted aye and that at least one member, Delegate Queen, was excused.

The bill as described in committee creates a time-limited pilot to test whether job placement assistance reduces arrearages by enabling wage garnishment; it does not authorize courts or the legislature to forgive or waive existing child support obligations.

The committee did not specify further program details such as pilot duration, funding level, or the number of participants; those specifics were not provided during the discussion and are listed as not specified in this report.","The Economic Matters Committee voted to move House Bill 1126 favorably, a pilot that directs the Maryland Department of Labor to help people with child support arrearages find employment so wage garnishment can resume payment to families.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Economic Matters Committee moves multiple bills favorably

Committee advances bill requiring builders to disclose remaining warranties at closing

Committee advances bill to create state registered-apprenticeship office and programs, fiscal note trimmed

Committee amends solicitation ban for disaster victims, gives localities flexibility

Committee advances pilot to link child support arrears with job placement