Government Relations Committee THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL
by Jane Seigler, MHC Government Relations Committee Co-Chair
March 17 is a day when people celebrate the man who drove the snakes out of Ireland. While there are still a few snakes on the United States’ po- litical scene, March 17 is a special date this year for the Maryland Gen- eral Assembly. Tat is the date, called “Crossover Day,” by which bills must be passed out of their chamber of origin and “cross over” to the op- posite chamber. Bills that fail to cross over by Crossover Day technically can still be enacted, but additional procedural hurdles and the relentless running of the clock before the session adjourns at midnight on April 7, make that a very long shot. Tere are some exceptions, though. Te bud- get bills were still being negotiated on Crossover Day, but they will move forward because the General Assembly is required to pass a budget. In addition, three bills supported by legislative leadership that deal with the state’s critical energy issues will also likely eventually advance regardless of timing, because they are high priorities. A looming budget deficit, exacerbated by uncertainty surrounding the availability of federal funds for a vast array of programs administered by the State, has affected the entire legislative session, and the State’s budget is still unset as of this writing. On the potential chopping block are preservation and conservation programs such as Maryland Agricul- tural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), Maryland Environmen- tal Trust (MET), some cost-share programs, and rural and legacy open space programs, as well as cuts to the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission. Here is the status as of Crossover Day of bills we were active on or
monitored so far this Session. Tune in next month to learn which ones made it over the final finish line!
Bills That Have Crossed Over
Equine related • SB 240/HB 262 changes the designated seat on the MD Agricultural Commission from “a representative of the horse–breeding industry” to “a representative of the equine industry.” Both cross-files have crossed over and are now in the opposite chambers. • SB 321/HB 352 although still under negotiation as of this writing, the provisions of the omnibus state budget bill that impose late fees and rein- statement fees on expired stable licenses are moving forward. Te budget proposal would also move $3,000,000 from the interest on Pimlico reno- vation funds to the State’s General Fund. Tere are deep cuts proposed to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) and the Rural Legacy program; smaller cuts to Program Open Space. Te proposed 2.5% business-to-business service tax was changed to a 3% tax on data and IT services that would be paid by all users, not just businesses. Tere are no proposed increases in sales tax on goods, or on property or real estate taxes. Te proposal would repeal the exemption for sales of photographic and artistic material used in advertising. As of this writing, the budget is not yet final, so things may change! • SB 968 authorized the Department of Natural Resources to enter into use agreements with volunteers to facilitate the use of motor vehicles
and motorized equipment for the purpose of maintaining existing paths within the Patuxent River Wildland to ensure clear and safe access for first responders. Te bill was amended in Committee to delete the re- quirement for use agreements with volunteers.
Animal Welfare • SB 152/HB 89 is a bill that would impose stricter sentencing proce- dures for crimes of animal cruelty. Both cross-files have crossed over and are now in the opposite chambers. • SB 80 raises penalties of imprisonment for up to three years and a fine not to exceed $5,000 or both for the abuse or neglect of an animal if the abuse or neglect results in the death or euthanasia of the animal; and authorizing the court, as a condition of sentencing a certain defendant, to prohibit the defendant from owning, possessing, or residing with an animal for a period of time determined by the court. • HB 643/SB 318 expands an existing educational loan repayment as- sistance program to apply to vets and vet techs who have either been an employee in the state for five years or volunteered for at least 100 hours a year for at least three years at an animal shelter. Both cross files have crossed over and are now in the opposite chamber.
Racing Related • SB 595/HB 337 provides supplemental local impact aid to Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and the City of Laurel for health and mental health services and other services for backstretch workers at Laurel Park while the track remains open. Te House version has crossed over to the Senate.
Nonprofits & Business • SB 105/HB 145 establishes a Green and Renewable Energy for Non- profit Organizations Loan Program to provide financial assistance in the form of no-interest loans to small nonprofit organizations for the plan- ning, purchase, and installation of qualifying energy systems. Te Senate version has crossed over to the House. • SB 365/HB 541 establishes a nonprofit organization navigator within the Department of Commerce to work with nonprofits and units of State government to resolve complexities and delays in State grant-making processes and to represent nonprofit interests and concerns as a member of the Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council. Te Senate ver- sion has crossed over to the House. • SB 184/HB 239 authorizes the Secretary of State to suspend payment of certain late fees assessed to certain charitable organizations that fail to file an annual report under certain circumstances; and authorizes the Secre- tary of State to cancel a charitable organization’s registration or reinstate a charitable organization’s canceled registration under certain circumstances. Both cross-files have crossed over and are now in the opposite chambers. • SB 49/HB 107 requires a person who makes an automatic renewal offer to consumers to allow a consumer to cancel the automatic renewal in a certain manner; and requires automatic renewal offers to be displayed in a certain manner and contain certain information.
MHC does not endorse political candidates. We support incumbents who are in a position to support, or have already supported, the horse industry on general policy issues and in specific pieces of legislation.
20 | APRIL 2025 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION 800-244-9580 |
www.equiery.com
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