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Sponsor seeks smaller fiscal footprint for proposed disability service-animal program after $75,000 fiscal note
Summary
Senator presenting Senate Bill 157 said sponsors are seeking amendments to reduce program costs and departmental responsibilities after an initial fiscal note estimated higher startup costs; committee members said they would move the bill once the fiscal note is reduced.
Annapolis — Senate Bill 157, which would establish a Maryland disability service-animal program modeled on an existing veterans program, drew questioning after the committee reviewed a fiscal note the House chair described as too large for the committee's current posture.
Senator Simon Ayre presented the bill as a cross-file of House Bill 384 and said sponsors were preparing amendments aimed at lowering the program's fiscal footprint, reducing departmental responsibilities and minimizing required staff. "The intention was to start it small like we did with the veterans program, which cost much less, didn't have any staff added. So, we're working on some amendments on that, 1, to reduce the amount of funding that is allocated, also minimize the department's responsibilities, and then bring it down to a reasonable amount," Ayre said.
The committee chair noted the House had not moved the bill because "our fiscal note was 75,000," and asked the senator to draft amendments to reduce the fiscal impact. Ayre said the Senate sponsor and rules chair were coordinating to lower the fiscal note so the bill could proceed through both chambers.
No formal committee vote appears in the transcript. The sponsor requested time to return with amendment language and a lower estimated cost.
What this means: The bill would create a program to provide disability service animals under state administration; the committee signaled willingness to advance the measure if sponsors can produce amendments that reduce the fiscal estimate and narrow administrative obligations.
