MFRW Legislative Update 3-17-24
Twenty-two days till Sine Die! New revenue generators, taxes, fees and tolls top the discussion list today.
On Friday, Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones and Ways and Means Chairman Vanessa Atterbeary announced major plans to increase revenue by passing corporate tax changes and internet gaming (casino-style games played on smart phones, computers and other electronic devices) to increase revenue by $1.3 billion a year. Internet gaming would have to be approved by the voters before implementation. Senate President Ferguson has said the Senate is not ready to pass tax increases this year. Let's encourage him and the Senate to hold that position.
The status of some of the related bills is:
HB 1070 - is up for 3rd Reader, probably today, to transfer up to $75 million a year from the toll funds account to the Transportation Trust Fund. It will also increase the Revenue Bond authority by $750 million a year.
HB 352 - Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BFRA) is being amended in the Appropriations Committee and is expected to be on the floor of the House this week.
Delegate Todd Morgan in his weekly News from Annapolis reported that the BRFA will probably include parts of fee and tax bills including:
Tax on firearms and ammunition (HB935) expected to bring into the state $22M
Vehicle registration fees based on weight of the vehicle (HB28) expected to bring in more than $200M
Fair Share bill (HB1007) corporate tax reform for LLC’s which is expected to bring in $225M
A 75-cent fee on rideshares — like Uber and Lyft (HB1215)
A $125 registration surcharge for electric vehicles who do not pay into the state’s gas tax fund (HB913)
Toll increases
An increase to the vehicle excise tax from 6% to 6.5% (HB925)
And much more… all to be revealed this week.
On Internet Gaming please consider:
How addictive internet games and social media are currently.
Are there any limits to how much one can wager on Internet Gambling in a day or week?
Can minors access and play i-gaming?
Will casino revenue be reduced and therefore total revenue be less than forecast?
Will people who are addicted to Internet gambling lose their homes, cars, etc.?
Casino gambling is limited by how often you can go to the casino. You have to physically go there to gamble. With Internet gambling you can be anywhere and stay on as long as you can stay awake. It would appear to be a much greater danger to over-indulgence and financial bankruptcy.
It is important to let your Delegates and Senators know your thoughts on expanding gambling in Maryland to Internet Gaming and on increased taxes, fees and tolls.
Following up on:
Senate legislation on gun theft - See attached Press Release from Senate Republicans.
HB 333 Election Disinformation.
HB 333 was extensively amended in the W&M Committee. Currently it will allow the public to submit complaints about election disinformation to a portal on the State Board of Elections Website. The State Board would periodically review material submitted by the public and to the extent necessary, issue corrective information or submit the item to the State Prosecutor. Disinformation is defined in the bill as "incorrect or misleading information regarding the time, place or manner of an election, election results or voting rights in the state."
Please review the MFRW Weekly Legislative Update for the current status of bills of importance to you. Don't be shy in letting your Delegate(s) and Senator know how you feel about pending legislation. In three weeks it will be too late. Do it now.
Ella Ennis
Legislative Chairman
Maryland Federation of Republican Women
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.