Appropriations Committee advances consent calendar and approves several bills, including $50 million bonding for USM

The Appropriations Committee voted to place most bills on a consent calendar and moved the remaining measures to separate consideration, advancing the bulk of its agenda without extended debate.

Delegate Smith introduced Senate Bill 198 as a measure to create an aerospace and aviation technology program at PG Community College, saying “it just creates this aerospace aviation technology program at PG Community College” and that the bill directs a feasibility study to leverage nearby NASA and Juval High School’s existing program. The committee moved the bill favorable and passed it by voice vote.

Senate Bill 378, described by Delegate Smith as altering program name and application requirements and increasing the mandated appropriation for regional resource centers and county libraries, received two amendments (a technical amendment and a substantive amendment) and passed on a roll call vote. Clerk-read roll call results showed most members voting yea; Delegate Grace and Delegate Mezer recorded no votes on that measure.

Senate Bill 769, the annual University System of Maryland (USM) bonding bill, authorizes $50 million in academic facilities bonds for financing and refinancing construction for USM campuses. Smith characterized the bill as the routine annual USM bonding bill; the committee voice-voted and passed it unanimously.

Other measures moved or passed during the session included bills described in committee as cross-files (for example, Senate Bill 532 and its house cross-file) and Senate Bill 734, which included an amendment clarifying which positions receive immediate vesting in the state retirement and pension system.

The meeting concluded with the chair noting that additional bill hearings and voting were likely the following day.