Government Relations Committee THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL
by Jane Seigler, MHC Government Relations Committee Co-Chair T e Maryland General Assembly ended its 446th
session at midnight
on April 8. As usual, there was an intense fl urry of legislative activity right up until the last minute, this year punctuated by a brief recess to allow lawmakers and staff to rush outdoors, put on the special glasses, and view the solar eclipse. Equally as usual, the Maryland Horse Council’s Government Relations
Committee worked hard for the entire 90 days to identify bills of inter- est, evaluate them, and decide on a course of action. As the dust settled, it became clear that, overall, we had a pretty successful session.
Many bills that we supported became law: • A bill to require minors to wear helmets while mounted. • A bill improving procedures for the claiming and awarding of grants under the Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Pro- gram (for our members with horses and vineyards). • A bill to allow state regulation of DAF/industrial sludge transportation and storage. (T is highly malodorous material is sometimes stored and spread on fi elds near parks and trails.) • A bill to investigate creating a Gwynns Falls State Park. • A bill to prohibit non-compete agreements in employment contracts for health care professionals and veterinarians.
Bills that we opposed either failed to move forward or were withdrawn: • A bill to apply the sales and use tax to services, including boarding, les- sons, training and more. • A bill that would have created a Trails Advisory Commission within the Department of Transportation, with jurisdiction over all of Mary- land’s trails, statewide. T e bill contained no reference to or recognition of equestrian trails and trail riders. • A bill that would have assessed indoor riding arenas at twice the prop- erty tax rate of other “ag-tourism” buildings. • A bill to make legal the sale, possession, and use of “consumer” fi reworks. • A bill to allow statewide Sunday hunting of Migratory Game Birds. •A bill to allow all day Sunday hunting in Dorchester County. • A bill to allow bicyclists to move through stop signs without stopping.
T ere was one disappointment. T e General Assembly passed Senate Bill 452, which makes provisions in “waiver” or “release” documents that purport to limit a “recreational facility’s” liability for ordinary negligence unenforceable. It is important to note that the bill, as passed, does not ban the use of all
waivers or releases. T e right to ask clients or customers to acknowledge the risk of an activity and to assume that risk remains unaff ected. Busi- nesses should consult with their attorneys to see how the provisions of this bill might aff ect the documents used in their businesses. When MHC became aware of the bill, we mounted a major grassroots
campaign, which was shared throughout the equestrian industry and beyond. T e House hearing on March 27 had well over 100 witnesses in opposition, many from the equestrian community, but also including
the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Farm Bureau, the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, and numerous motor and water sports organizations. T ere were only about a half dozen witnesses in favor of the bill. At the urging of many members of the horse industry, Del. Griffi th (R – Cecil & Harford) off ered an amendment that would have exempted equine facilities, but it was defeated 34-98. Ultimately, the legislators were persuaded by the argument that businesses should not be allowed to require their customers to waive their right to compensation if they are injured by the business’ negligence. It remains to be seen how the bill will aff ect the incidence of negligence
claims and insurance rates. MHC plans to hold an educational webinar on May 21 for our Indus-
try Professional members to discuss this complex area of tort and con- tract law. More information will be posted on MHC’s Facebook pages.
Also of note: A bill that would have, along with other MDA initiatives, authorized the Maryland Horse Industry Board to charge late fees for stable licens- ing failed to pass. Two bills intended to address the shortage of veterinarians failed to pass. One would have provided some educational loan payment assistance to vets. T e other would have increased the number of seats available to Maryland residents at the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine. Finally, at the 11th
hour, the legislature passed a major bill that will es-
tablish the framework to implement the recommendations of the Mary- land Racetrack Operating Authority to transfer ownership of Pimlico to the state, reconfi gure and rebuild Pimlico and consolidate racing there, discontinue racing at Laurel Park, establish a training track at a TBD location, provide for the licensing of the rights to the Preakness from the Stronach Group (which would continue to own them), etc. T e bill was heavily amended to address concerns of some legislators about the state assuming liability for operating costs. Another amendment restored to Rosecroft racetrack renewal funds that had been proposed to be used to pay debt service for the bonds issued for the Pimlico rebuild. In ad- dition, the amended bill authorizes funds for “demolition, development, and grading” around the Bowie Race Course Training Center, and $10 million to Park Heights Renaissance for workforce housing . Even with all that, a MHC Government Relations committee mem-
ber’s work is never done. We will be working over the summer to have in- put both into the implementation of some of the bills that passed, as well as some of the bills that failed but will probably come back next year. T e end of session also marks the renewal of political fundraising season. T e Horse Council PAC emp- tied its coff ers before the legislative session opened in January – during which political donations to legislators are prohibited. You can help rebuild the PAC by donating using this QR code.
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 specifi c pieces of legislation.
www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | MAY 2024 | 37
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