Economic Matters Committee advances range of bills including cut to uninsured employers assessment, AI work group

The Economic Matters Committee advanced a package of bills during its hearing and voting session, passing several measures as amended and withdrawing others. The committee approved an amendment to House Bill 193 to lower an additional assessment rate on certain workers' compensation awards and settlements, voted to create a work group on artificial intelligence implementation, and moved forward bills affecting utility rate proceedings, licensing for HVAC sellers, authorization for licensed clinical social workers to perform certain workers' compensation evaluations, and permissions for licensed security guards to provide services to cannabis businesses.

The actions matter because they alter regulatory and administrative requirements that affect employers, injured workers, utilities, licensed tradespeople and regulated businesses across Maryland. Several bills were passed with little floor debate; others were amended before receiving favorable recommendations.

House Bill 193: The committee adopted an amendment that reduces the additional assessment that the Board of the Uninsured Employers Fund may direct the Workers' Compensation Commission to impose on specified awards and settlements from 2 percent to 1.5 percent. The bill passed as amended following a roll-call vote.

House Bill 917 (Maryland Securities Act filing fees): The committee approved an amendment that removes a fee for amended…