January 6, 2022
Maryland General Assembly 2022 Preview
The Maryland General Assembly will open its 90 day 2022 session on Wednesday January 12th. As a result of COVID 19, public access will once again be highly regulated and limited. The House of Delegates will open the House Office Building to the public; however, all hearings will once again be held virtually with limited witnesses and will be live streamed. Subcommittees and voting sessions will be live streamed. Hearings will begin on Thursday January 13th. Due to the growing number of COVID 19 cases, the Senate will begin the 2022 session in a fashion similar to the House in terms of public access. At this time, the Senate plans to open Senate Committee hearings to the public on February 14th. There are 220 pre-filed Senate bills and 200 pre-filed House bills. The 2022 Maryland General Assembly session will be the last of the four year term for all members. In addition, this will be Governor Larry Hogan’s final legislative session.
Maryland Senate Changes
Veteran Democratic Senator Doug Peters of Bowie resigned this summer. Delegate Ron Watson will replace him.
Maryland House of Delegates Changes
There have been significant changes in the leadership of the House of Delegates since last Session.
The General Assembly appointed House Economic Matters Chair Dereck Davis of Prince George’s County to the position of State Treasurer to replace the retiring Nancy Kopp. Former Prince George’s County Councilperson Karen Toles will replace Dereck Davis. Delegate C.T. Wilson of Charles County will Chair the House Economic Matters Committee.
The Vice-Chair of House Economic Matters Kathleen Dumais was appointed a judge on the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Linda Foley will replace Judge Dumais as Delegate. Delegate Brian Crosby of St. Mary’s County will replace Judge Dumais as the Vice-Chair of Economic Matters.
Delegate Anne Kaiser of Montgomery County has stepped down as the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and is now a member of the House Health and Government Operations Committee. Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary of Howard County will replace her. Delegate David Moon of Montgomery County will replace Delegate Atterbeary as the Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
Delegate Erek Barron of Prince George’s County was appointed United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, and will be replaced by Faye Howell.
Delegate Cheryl Landis is replacing the newly appointed Senator Ron Watson as a Delegate in Prince George’s County.
Rachel Munoz is replacing Delegate Michael Malone who was appointed a judge of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.
Baltimore City Delegate Keith Haynes resigned and was replaced by Roxane Prettyman.
Delegate Haven Shoemaker of Carroll County is replacing Delegate Chris Adams of the Eastern Shore as the Republican Minority Whip. Delegate Jason Buckel of Western Maryland will be the Republican Minority Leader.
2022 Legislative Issues
The 2022 General Assembly Session will continue focusing on responding to economic and healthcare issues relating to COVID 19. State Legislative Redistricting will take place during the upcoming legislative session. The Congressional Redistricting was completed during the December Special Session. There are lawsuits challenging the Congressional Redistricting. Governor Hogan will make addressing crime in Baltimore City a key issue in 2022.
The Maryland Fiscal 2021 Budget closed with a $2.5 billion surplus. It is anticipated that with the expected revenue surplus in Fiscal 2022, the Maryland Budget will have a total surplus in Fiscal 2023 of nearly $6 billion.
Maryland has received nearly $69 billion in federal COVID 19 relief for local and state governments as well as businesses, healthcare entities, and individuals.
Labor and Electrician Issues
IEC Chesapeake will once again focus on monitoring and responding to labor, general business, and electrical trade issues. Delegate Kevin Hornberger of Cecil County and Senator Cory McCray of Baltimore City are expected to introduce legislation to clarify some issues from the 2021 passage of Senate Bill 762-Maryland Electricians Act –Revisions. A key issue to be resolved is the grandfather licensing of journeyperson electricians.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kevin O’Keeffe
[email protected]
410-382-7844
