2020 End of Session Report

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The 2020 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly was unprecedented in length and agenda. The second session in my second year as State Senator of the 40th District adjourned yesterday at 5:00 pm on March 18, 2020, an unparalleled decision in Maryland’s history since the Civil War. I must express how much of an honor it was to serve as your representative in Annapolis for 71 days. It was a hectic session full of twists and turns, but through it all, my colleagues and I worked tirelessly to achieve many great things for the people of Maryland. 

Although this Session was cut short based on the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and the State of Maryland to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we cannot overlook the progress we made for Baltimore City and the State of Maryland these past few months. This letter provides a closer look at just some of the highlights and achievements of the 2020 Legislative Session.

Success for Marylanders!

Kirwan:
Passing legislation to implement the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education was of vital importance to the success of the 2020 legislative session and to the improvement of Maryland’s K-12 public school system. Senate Bill 1000 (Cross-filed with House Bill 1300) implements the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and seeks to transform our State’s education system to the levels of high-performing education systems worldwide.


The bill passed both chambers, signifying a promising new era for Maryland's public schools. I am honored to have voted for this historic legislation and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on K-12 schools in the 40th district and throughout Maryland.

Pimlico:
I am thrilled that the City of Baltimore was able to create a deal to retain the Preakness in Baltimore. Over the years, as gaming expanded throughout our state, the Local Impact Aid funding increased to an estimated $8 million annually in Fiscal Year 2021.

Senate Bill 987 allocates $3.5 million of those revenues to redevelop the Pimlico Racetrack and its surrounding area. Redeveloping Pimlico is of tremendous importance since such improvements will likely result in increased economic activity and job development in the surrounding community. I am proud to say that the bill reflects the efforts of my colleagues and I to make sure that revenue generated from this investment in the racetrack was returned to the Park Heights community. As a result, the bill provides $2.4 million a year for Park Heights Renaissance, Inc., a neighborhood organization in northwest Baltimore focused on community revitalization.

Leading the Baltimore City Senate Delegation

unnamed (1).jpg

In addition to my responsibilities on the Senate Finance Committee, this year I had the humbling honor of continuing to lead the Baltimore City Senate Delegation as its presiding Chair. This body is tasked with considering all House and Senate legislation that specifically impacts Baltimore City and providing feedback, approval, or disapproval. The body held weekly meetings that were open to the public (unless otherwise stated) and live streamed. Recordings of these meetings can be found in the “Other” section of Committee Media tab under the title “No. 11 - Baltimore City.” Click here to access the Committee Media tab.

2020 Legislative Highlights

Prioritizing Public Safety

Protecting Baltimore City Communities from Violence: Senate Bill 929
Senate Bill 929 targets violent crime afflicting communities by mobilizing resources and crime prevention measures specifically targeting high-crime micro-zones in collaboration with local organizations and State agencies. 

Additionally, the bill establishes “End the Violence” P.R.O.T.E.C.T Coordinators to enact community-based crime prevention policies and programs. The passage of SB 929 represents a thoughtful, localized solution to some aspects of neighborhood crime. 

Installing Surveillance Systems in Liquor Stores as a Public Safety Measure: Senate Bill 69
Given concerns about illicit activity around liquor stores, Senate Bill 69 alters the hours of operation for stores (Class A-7 licenses) and requires the installment/operation of a digital surveillance system. The bill creates a mechanism for businesses to aid the Baltimore Police Department and increase the safety of their employees by installing cameras that will both deter and help solve the crimes plaguing our city.

Economic Empowerment

Aiding Hospital Employees Affected by Downsizing: Senate Bill 938
The downsizing of hospitals over the past few years has resulted in the laying off of hundreds of loyal employees, leaving them without work and too often without the necessary resources to find employment elsewhere. Senate Bill 938 seeks to make sure that those who worked for hospitals looking to downsize are covered and can continue to prosper. The passage of SB 938 means that three programs, EARN Maryland, Maryland Business Works, and Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program (MATP), will have a funding mechanism to aid employees during hospital downsizing.

Creating Greater Opportunity for Minority Business Enterprises: Senate Bill 442
Public-private partnerships (P3s) enable greater private sector participation, expertise, and mitigate risk for state agencies engaged in large infrastructure projects. Senate Bill 442 restores the applicability of Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program to these P3s.

The passage of SB 442 enables the growth of MBEs in our State by creating positive economic opportunities for both MBEs and State agencies engaged in private-public partnerships.

Encouraging Real Estate Investment and Homeownership in Baltimore City through Equitable Tax Credits: Senate Bill 63
Current credits for property tax are not going to the most underdeveloped parts of the city. This bill builds on current law to ensure that credits for newly constructed dwellings in Baltimore City are being distributed appropriately and equitably by capping the final sales price for homes eligible to receive the credit to $500,000. It also eliminates the requirement that homes have a vacant notice from the City.

Protecting Low-Income Communities from Abusive Check Cashing Business Practices: Senate Bill 939
Individuals who live in poverty should not pay more for cashing checks because they do not have access to registered check cashing businesses or the information to seek redress when they are overcharged.

The purpose of Senate Bill 939 is to ensure that all businesses that offer check cashing services are licensed or registered with the State of Maryland. By requiring all check cashing businesses to be registered, consumers will be better protected from being taken advantage of by currently unregulated check cashing services in our State.

Increasing Access to Quality Healthcare

Increasing Access to Medication for Diabetes and HIV/AIDS Patients: Senate Bill 931
Some medications are deemed “specialty drugs” based on a variety of factors that increase their distribution costs. When providers deem a drug as “specialty,” consumers often have greater difficulty accessing them.

This excludes these drugs from the definition of "specialty drug" to prevent certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations from imposing higher co-payment and coinsurance requirements.

Ensuring the Quality of Maryland’s Crisis Centers: Senate Bill 441
Crisis services are an essential component of any comprehensive system of behavioral healthcare. They significantly reduce preventable crises and offer earlier intervention to stabilize them quickly at the lowest level of care appropriate.

The passage of Senate Bill 441 codifies the types of facilities that the Maryland Department of Health may designate as emergency facilities for purposes related to mental health evaluation.

2020 Capital Budget and Legislative Bond Initiatives

Under the leadership of House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson, we authorized $1,108,114,000 of funds for capital projects in fiscal year 2021, including $4,623,000 in funding for Baltimore City Community College (BCCC), $7,513,000 for Coppin State University, and $12,000,000 for the Baltimore Regional Neighborhoods Initiative. With unanimous, bipartisan support in the Senate, we also secured $57,700,000 annually over ten years ($577,000,000 in total) for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Maryland. 

This Session, my 40th District colleagues and I sponsored a handful of Legislative Bond Initiatives for organizations in our district to receive funding for capital improvement projects. This year we were able to secure funding for the projects/organizations in the 40th District listed below.

To those with projects that were not selected for sponsorship this Session, please be sure to keep in contact with our office during the interim period so you can be kept informed on when next year’s consideration of Bond Initiatives will take place!

unnamed (2).jpg

In Conclusion

I must express what a great experience it was to serve my second session as Senator of the 40th District. In that same vein, I must also express how much of a pleasure it was to work in collaboration with my 40th district colleagues in the House of Delegates—Delegates Frank Conaway Jr., Nick Mosby, and Melissa Wells. This session was our second together as a team, and I am so excited to continue working with them to fight on your behalf in Baltimore City and Annapolis. 

As you know, I have sent weekly newsletters throughout the 2020 legislative session to keep you up to date on the issues and events in Annapolis that matter to you. Throughout interim, I will send newsletters at least monthly. I hope that you’ll continue to take interest in the important updates and resources concerning COVID-19, community events, and everyday life in our State that I plan to share. I understand that the coming weeks and possibly months may be difficult for you and your families.

Please know that I am thinking about you and will continue to advocate on your behalf throughout interim and in preparation for the next session. Do not hesitate to contact my office by email (Antonio.Hayes@Senate.state.md.us) if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions. Once again, thank you so much for the privilege of serving as your State Senator. 
 

Best regards, 

Senator Antonio L. Hayes
40th Legislative District - MD

Archives:

Antonio Hayes