The Maryland Legislature adjourned sine die at midnight on April 7. Several bills affecting government affairs were passed through both houses and are waiting on the governor’s desk to be signed. These bills include Senate Bill 945 and House Bill 945. Together, they will change the gubernatorial primary election date to the fourth Tuesday in June. Senate Bill 262 alters the dates for special elections, requiring them to be set within 90 days of being called. Senate Bill 633 allows registered lobbyists to complete ethics training online. These bills will be effective October 1, if signed by the governor.

Prince George’s County will hold another special election to fill an open County Council seat.

This election is to replace U.S. Senator-elect Alsobrooks and will be expedited due to the fact the county has gone almost a full year with a 5-5 split, which has caused significant delays in budgetary and legislative proceedings.

The special primary election will be held on March 4, 2025, and the special general election will be held on May 27, 2025.

A special election has been called for August 6 to replace At-Large Councilmember Mel Franklin, who resigned in June.

Thirteen candidates have announced their registration to run.

This primary will include both Democrat and Republican candidates and the winners of the primary will be added to the general election ballot on November 5.

The winner will serve the remaining two years in Franklin’s term.

Maryland’s 90-day legislative session ended on April 8.

The top items on the agenda that passed were the state budget; an economic relief act for the workers and businesses that relied on the Port of Baltimore; and several bills regarding public safety, affordability, economic competitiveness, and public service.

The state’s budget is notable as the governor signed an executive order extending the legislative session 10 days in order to give legislators time to finish it.

However, lawmakers did not need the extra time and managed to adjourn the day the session was previously planned to end.

The State Board of Elections has selected a new employee to take over the role of elections administrator.

Jared DeMarinis was unanimously voted by the board to take over the position.

DeMarinis currently works as the director of the board’s candidacy and campaign finance division.

In order for him to take over the role, a confirmation hearing will be held at the next session of the state Senate.

If confirmed he will succeed the previous elections administrator, Linda Lamon, who will be retiring this summer.

The 445th Maryland General Assembly adjourned from their 90-day session on April 10.

Passed legislation includes the Fair Wage Act of 2023 and the Family Prosperity Act of 2023.

These bills are aimed toward reducing child poverty and raising the minimum wage which will increase wages for approximately 163,000 workers, and ultimately benefit 120,000 children in the state.

Wes Moore was elected Maryland governor on Tuesday and will become the first black governor of the state of Maryland.

Moore beat out Republican Dan Cox in a 60% to 37% landslide. Democrats swept all the statewide races.

Maryland Lawmakers passed a bill late in the session to require lobbyist employers to file contribution disclosure statements even if no contributions were made.

Senate Bill 15 became law when Gov. Larry Hogan declined to veto the bill within 30 days.

Any lobbyist employer who pays at least $500 to one or more lobbyists must file the report on May 31 and November 30.

Previously, the report was due only if applicable contributions were made in the reporting period of $500 or more.

The new law raises penalties for violations from $1,000 to $25,000 and establishes three-year record keeping requirements. Senate bill 15 is effective July 1.

The 444^th Maryland General Assembly adjourned from its 90-day session on April 11 with over 600 bills being passed as of Monday morning.

Passed legislation includes a compromise increasing local budgets for highway repairs, additional measures to enhance Maryland’s cybersecurity response, and bills aimed toward accelerating the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The Court of Appeals of Maryland issued an order postponing the 2022 primary elections.

Originally scheduled for June 28, the state’s highest court has moved the elections to July 19 due to ongoing legal challenges to the 2022 legislative redistricting plan.

There is a concern that a midsummer date could negatively affect local election boards’ ability to obtain the necessary personnel to run the election.

Additionally, some have expressed concern that this may cause confusion amongst voters, while others have welcomed the postponement as an opportunity to better educate voters on the issues and candidates ahead of the primary election.

Gov. Larry Hogan has announced a special session of the Maryland General Assembly to begin on December 6.

The session will focus on reviewing the certified redistricting maps presented by Hogan, which were drawn by the new Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The General Assembly does have the final say over these maps and must either approve them or adopt its own redistricting plan by the 45^th day of the 2022 legislative session, which is scheduled to begin on January 12, 2022.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

Sen. Doug J.J. Peters has resigned effective July 30 to accept a position on the University of Maryland’s Board of Regents.

Sen. Peters had previously announced he did not plan to seek reelection marking the end of his 15-year tenure in the Maryland Senate.

A successor will be appointed to serve the remainder of his current term with elections for the 23^rd District’s Senate seat schedule for 2022.

On June 28, the Annapolis City Council voted unanimously to adopt campaign finance reforms.

Ordinance 15-21 requires any person making independent expenditures of $5,000 or more to register with the Board of Supervisors of Elections.

Once registered, such persons are required to file reports upon making independent expenditures of $10,000 or more.

Further, the reports must identify the person making the expenditure and any donors who have contributed $6,000 or more. Ordinance 15-21 is effective immediately.

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 12.

Key enacted legislation included the $1 billion pandemic relief enacted with Gov. Larry Hogan’s approval and sweeping police reform measures enacted despite Hogan’s veto.

Additionally, a hotly debated immigrants’ rights bill aimed at making Maryland a sanctuary state was also passed, but it is expected to be vetoed by Hogan.