Maryland General Assembly 2024

Gov. Wes Moore spent the morning lobbying Congress, and the afternoon signing bills, including one giving aid to workers affected by suspended activity at the Port of Baltimore.

We go On the Record with WYPR’s News Director Matt Bush and Baltimore Banner politics reporter Pamela Wood to recap the 446th session of the Maryland General Assembly.

“Everything that needed to pass today passed,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson

The bill decides consequences for children aged 10- to 12-years-old caught carrying guns and stealing cars, gives courts the ability to expand probation, decides when state’s attorneys can review cases and sets up sweeping juvenile legal system oversight and data collection.

The framework of the deal will eventually raise about $320 million to $350 million per year through a variety of vehicle-related fees and $80 million annually from hiking taxes on tobacco and nicotine products.

The bill would provide grants to businesses who are unable to pay workers.

The procedural move allows lawmakers to continue budget negotiations.

The Freedom to Read Act, which passed both chambers of the state legislature this month, will go into effect as an emergency measure to protect librarians and the books they put on their shelves.

The bill would give a governor the power to suspend laws for a year.

Delegate Sheila Ruth is sponsoring a bill to nix the disruption charge, which targets Black and disabled students, from state law. Opponents say it exists for teacher safety.