MFRW Legislative Update 1-21-24

MFRW 1-21-24 Weekly Legislative Update

This week on January 25th, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold hearings on voting bills, including two requiring Voter Identification cards with photographs or other documentation. They are: HB 0142 and HB 0192.  The W&M Committee will also hear testimony on HB 0202 to require verification of the signature on an absentee ballot return envelope.  These are important election integrity issues and deserve our support.  If you can, submit written or oral testimony in support of these bills, or at least, send emails to the W&M Committee to vote for a Favorable Report on these bills.  Our thanks to Del. Bob Long for sponsoring these bills.

 

On Saturday you received an ALERT for the upcoming hearing on HB 0047 - Fairness in Girls' Sports on January 31st.  Please make time to actively support this MFRW priority to preserve the hard-earned opportunities for girls to compete in sports on a level playing field for wins, awards and scholarships.  The following are opportunities for you to voice your support:

  • SEND E-MAIL LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE JANUARY 22 - 26. (LIST ATTACHED).

  • IF POSSIBLE, SIGN UP TO TESTIFY ORALLY (IN PERSON), VIRTUALLY AND/OR SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY.  YOU MUST SIGN UP ON JANUARY 29 BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 6 P.M. (GUIDE ATTACHED).

  • ON JANUARY 30TH, CALL EVERY MEMBER OF THE WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE AND URGE THEM TO PROTECT A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR GIRLS’ SPORTS BY VOTING FOR A FAVORABLE REPORT FOR

  • HB 47.

12 NOON - PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY DELEGATE SZELIGA.

ROOM 145 OF THE HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING.

 1 P.M. ATTEND HEARING ON HB 47 IN THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE IN ROOM 131 OF THE HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING.

Submitting Written or Oral Testimony

Remember that you must set up an MyMGA account on the General Assembly's website (http://mgaleg.maryland.gov) to submit written or oral testimony.  Check each committee for their specific sign-up times.  See Guide.

Darcey Clark