[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6612944,"mediaKeyId","2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e","parentId",2879295,"title","Committee debates medical-cannabis protections for fire and rescue employees; members split on impairment and CDL issues","audioSeconds",440,"startMs",725000,"endMs",1165000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e&start=725&end=1165","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e/thumbnail_725000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612944/Maryland/Committee-debates-medical-cannabis-protections-for-fire-and-rescue-employees-members-split-on-impairment-and-CDL-issues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612944-f6f86b3b4cb29ff93aaad22e01d831e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172250&Signature=JNj6XwSF07rItHeXvKLaYT~wcp71JlpaNXLP9Kkn~bukArgKuHY1fzwLzjlMWqnjOilqPo~UtLfxz0WF5lYJP3ZLQiXTFGVo2O6BM0v4e3z1lo4t3pDPkczw2LZD~cPC8-ctWuP-7eIfhpSDViLBr-SkPFBcTmYPq-~wdCOGMfrBbu8MK6ZYRwwObQ-u0IinxlYlZyLUf-XC-OD91BnVryoT-dezADcXw2Es30klgfIu4gnu177N1juNSkwB3oZU9hourPtn3UPukq6ANQg6anEZRyIk1l9fIfpudL3DIzAZsSo7p6-fvjOuVPdk3zzof0FGN-68JJ1r-OsuV~B4bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Economic Matters","date","2025-04-04T20:54:19.11Z","article","House Bill 1408 would prohibit an employer of a fire and rescue public-safety employee from disciplining, discharging or otherwise discriminating against the employee on the basis of possession of a valid written certification for medical cannabis or a positive test for cannabis metabolites while holding a valid certification card. An amendment in the committee packet alters provisions related to on-duty impairment: it requires that if a fire and rescue public-safety employee reports for work while impaired by cannabis, the employer must report the incident to the State Emergency Medical Services Board.

Committee members expressed divergent views. Opponents pressed concerns about commercial drivers’ license (CDL) rules and workplace safety. Delegate Adams said he opposed the bill, arguing that “people that drive these fire trucks have to have a CDL” and that allowing medical cannabis use could conflict with federal CDL testing and safety rules. Others pushed back, saying firefighters should be allowed to use medical cannabis off duty for treatment of ailments and that supervisors already are responsible for judging impairment. One speaker who identified their county experience said the county had “2 infractions of someone actually showing up to work under the influence of either alcohol or medical marijuana” over a decade, and argued the bill does not change employer authority to discipline on-the-job impairment.

The committee’s discussion shows attention to federal CDL rules and questions about whether local fire apparatus require CDLs; a staff or counsel speaker said firefighters’ vehicles are in some cases exempt from CDL requirements. The transcript records extended debate about how immediate testing for cannabis impairment differs from tests for alcohol and the difficulty of real-time testing for some drugs.

Outcome: The transcript records protracted debate and requests for additional clarification about CDL interactions and testing. The record does not contain a full roll-call vote for final passage of the bill in the excerpt provided. The chair and members discussed the bill’s history and stakeholder notices and attendees said they would “vote it and see where it sticks” in some cases. The transcript therefore documents discussion, an amendment relating to reporting impaired employees to the State Emergency Medical Services Board, and mixed member views; it does not show a definitive committee final passage roll-call in the provided excerpt.

Why it matters: The bill would create an employment protection for certified medical-cannabis patients who work in public safety while also creating a statutory reporting requirement for alleged on-duty impairment. Members asked whether that protection would conflict with federal CDL rules and whether adequate impairment-testing tools exist for cannabis.

Next steps: The committee did not record a conclusive roll-call in the excerpt. Staff and members discussed stakeholder input and potential follow-up; the committee may schedule further action or a vote after clarifying CDL and testing conflicts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECM Committee Session, 4/4/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1408, which seeks to bar employers from disciplining fire and rescue public-safety employees for possession of a valid medical-cannabis certification or a positive test while holding a valid certification, drew extended debate in committee over impairment testing and CDL implications.","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},6612949,"Committee advances bill changing administration of community reinvestment and repair fund with amendments",93,627000,720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e&start=627&end=720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e/thumbnail_627000.jpg","/articles/6612949/Maryland/Committee-advances-bill-changing-administration-of-community-reinvestment-and-repair-fund-with-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612949-bda2b559937d9514164c1fef52c76e8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172249&Signature=PuPzwUhWd7xlXaR2MoCBVl0DhHYsgUhkYcj6eAcMH7n1ftz62PUhbnN7ThKsLFkIVsUxe6rBC8v4rMu-Z1r0iiWubSFJv8B9m77zahYPQBHoyPxMtTenMdWKCBOP0LkpYlbm8GB6LXMnS3xLCUd6YivLfyfGhEAEZUnDaNIOJ-Tf8bULBPiPYpZ1uhyQrGDd2030hXE3oZ01nyI99unbOODiLM5mJhb7rFkt8zmAU4lRUcBJDLYiu9KA0GOiMmwYrrz6Ld~UDI8-odHnCXtEv0zCuydvCIFizTj8vE8VrOU6DHy8SFZ9FtbkOjc6757sfCgNJpk8~RE9hfFak2IrUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 13 64, which would have transferred administration of the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund from the State Controller to the Office of Social Equity, was considered by the Economic Matters Committee. Committee members approved amendments that struck language establishing an advisory board, struck language that would have transferred administration to the Office of Social Equity, and removed a prohibition on counties using third-party administrators.

After discussion the committee voted to move the bill as amended. The committee recorded a roll-call vote on the motion to move the bill as amended; members present voted as recorded in the transcript. The motion carried and the bill “moves as amended.”

Why it matters: The proposal would have changed which state office administers the fund and would have changed advisory-board and third-party administration rules. The amendments removed those transfer and advisory-board provisions, leaving governance and administration details to be determined as the bill advances.

Vote: The committee conducted a roll-call on the motion to move the bill as amended. The transcript records the following votes during that roll call: Mr. Vice Chair — Aye; Delegate Harrison — Yes; Delegate Guapo — Aye; Delegate Howard — Excused; Delegate Charcutian — Yes; Delegate Rose — Excused; Delegate Pruske — Aye; Delegate Finnell — Aye; Delegate Turner — Aye; Delegate Valderrama — Yes; Delegate Chi — Aye; Delegate Adams — No; Delegate Pippey — Excused; Delegate Johnson — Aye; Delegate Rogers — Yes. After the roll call the committee chair stated, “Bill moves as amended.”

Next steps: The bill will advance as amended according to committee procedure.","House Bill 13 64 was amended to remove several transfer and advisory-board provisions and was moved forward by the committee after a roll-call vote.",{"_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},6612953,"Committee delays bill that would require licenses for electronic smoking-device sales and expand seizure authority",240,353000,593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e&start=353&end=593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e/thumbnail_353000.jpg","/articles/6612953/Maryland/Committee-delays-bill-that-would-require-licenses-for-electronic-smoking-device-sales-and-expand-seizure-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612953-a558a922b3589b06a8605b34b26a8549/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172249&Signature=oJ5xO6~ay9xBCZiqSvUQgyXOdkGa2ctRgnVkAnLLoiHCwgBTZ8nQDHfi7WW2f7DbaOE-U5pGMN3W0KSDhqmiXOGJEdKsh7Q5r9X6ADtTAd3VOgIGbvZS2Ib~DQX2och4ULabLiY1tsOAANDY19CX-pUQRvZB1awNvfGCu7c-FcCfMIXrhfExozb-yLkMBEZzRH8qhwUU9Hhbbz3ZsVtWXJmHSIH3vIinGIm8Loda9HK0rH9T699F7DSNBWR3997EzTINwmwi9Tb0O2jcV5a8FPTBhUwXOewCtG~etW2rSLukWQ0eOay2ZAtzyygXY1ysVHgqlMGecOAEJbnmwjciPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1241, which would authorize the executive director of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Commission (ATC) to seize electronic smoking devices offered or sold in violation of statute without a warrant and would require a new electronic smoking device (ESD) seller license under an amendment, was discussed at length and held for further review by the Economic Matters Committee.

The committee first approved a set of technical amendments by voice vote. A second set of amendments, described in the bill packet as one that “requires an electronic smoking device license to sell ESD products” and would allow existing cigarette and other tobacco product (OTP) licensees to continue selling ESDs until their current license expires, was explained to the committee by a staff reader. Delegate Rogers was identified in the record as the author of the second amendment.

Committee members pressed sponsors on stakeholder outreach. One delegate said, “I’ve been saying this — you guys kinda sprung this on me. I’m not real happy,” and asked whether the industry had been consulted. A staff speaker responded that the bill team worked with the ATC and the Office of the Attorney General and said they had also communicated with industry representatives (several names were mentioned during the discussion as people who represent the industry).

After additional discussion about the bill’s scope and which businesses would be required to hold a license, the chair said the committee would “hold this bill” so members could “find out what’s going on.” No final passage or roll-call on the second amendment or the bill as a whole is recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: The measure would broaden administrative authority for the ATC and create a new licensing category for sellers of ESDs. Committee members raised procedural concerns about stakeholder notice and asked for more time to review the changes before voting.

The committee’s next steps: Committee members instructed staff to follow up with stakeholders and provide clarifications; the item was held for further consideration at a later date.

","A House bill that would let the Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Commission seize certain electronic smoking devices without a warrant and that proposes a new license requirement was tabled after committee members raised stakeholder-notification concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612939,"Economic Matters committee moves a package of bills on consent and concurrences; several bills amended or held",0,2148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e&start=2148&end=2148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879295-341273d944af1cd6bd6042634eb3f40e/thumbnail_2148000.jpg","/articles/6612939/Maryland/Economic-Matters-committee-moves-a-package-of-bills-on-consent-and-concurrences-several-bills-amended-or-held","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612939-47711ad9d2b6748dda8cf33ef4e33ac6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172249&Signature=nXFCx~G-ZpIFkYVxY-Z3B3fATWrl2MXMI7Nr1WUiIB3ke9ZfzCh71pfvtHVlbhK6d0PRze5udPV3l4RyfU2YnTODyG~~Q6SfvtnhxqD2wPFS7LLdnJOCIC9J7qiJv~hUc~CyyzCHhGVZpS6ocUfbcALGIldOp82PklnTnZJ~Z9qkNZaDTLr9r1GQpLzxupVDMlAS2v6NJcdf-pa6KZlLedLtsV5JrF9ylximhsLpjY2z6VcTx-UqoP6p~JNHcoycc-nCBzpCLl~RiBv02CiLMkq7obHjqM57K54d0Sv6kARbwCcdyBtahUoj9-Y2hIs-cYwCaMho7Wp8sqPVIOpg1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Matters Committee considered a long list of bills on the agenda and disposed of many by consent or concurrence, with a small number held for fixes or additional review.

Consent calendar and alcohol bills: The committee moved a consent calendar (voting list number 18) that included a set of alcohol-related bills, with the exceptions of Senate Bill 662 and Senate Bill 972, which were pulled because they had amendments. The motion to move the consent calendar passed by voice vote with all present voting in favor.

Other actions and concurrences: Several bills were amended and moved as noted in the record:
- Senate Bill 561 (electric cooperative nonissued capital credits): A committee amendment clarified that accumulation of credits may only start from the cooperative’s date of incorporation in the state; the motion to move the bill as amended passed by voice vote.
- Senate Bill 834 (vehicle dealer website pricing): The committee considered amendments allowing manufacturers or distributors to require dealers to include freight or dealer processing charges in online prices and protect dealers from adverse action for disclosing manufacturer minimum advertised prices. The committee moved this bill forward; the transcript records both yes and no votes during the roll call.
- Senate Bill 844 (self-service storage lease-sale notices): The motion was favorable and passed by voice vote.
- Senate Bill 901 (extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper products): The committee considered amendments clarifying definitions and policing for bottle-deposit programs; the bill drew a split vote (the transcript notes an 18–4 vote in a referenced committee and the Economic Matters committee later decided to hold this bill after discussion).

Concurrences (House bills with Senate amendments): The committee voted to concur on multiple house bills where the senate amendments were largely conforming, including House Bill 15 (limited worker cooperative associations), House Bill 1018 (mortgage disclosure/assumption), House Bill 1335 (Caroline County special-event licenses), and House Bill 1516 (consumer credit licensing). The committee recorded “all present voted in concurrence” for those items when noted in the transcript.

Bills held or deferred: The committee held several items for fixes or additional work, including the earlier-discussed House Bill 1241 (electronic smoking devices) and at least one bill where members said they would \"hold this bill for a fix so Pam's listening.\" The production-responsibility bill (Senate Bill 901) was also noted as held after a split.

Why it matters: The consent calendar advances many local and regulatory items quickly; the held bills identify measures where further stakeholder engagement or technical fixes are needed.

What to watch next: Committee staff and sponsors will circulate amendments and clarifications; floor-leader assignments and further action were discussed for the next legislative day.","The committee approved a consent calendar covering numerous alcohol and other bills, moved multiple concurrences and amendments, and held several measures for fixing language or further review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee debates medical-cannabis protections for fire and rescue employees; members split on impairment and CDL issues

Committee advances bill changing administration of community reinvestment and repair fund with amendments

Committee delays bill that would require licenses for electronic smoking-device sales and expand seizure authority

Economic Matters committee moves a package of bills on consent and concurrences; several bills amended or held