MFRW Legislative Update 1-28-24
MFRW 1-28-24 Weekly Legislative Update
Click here for the MFRW Weekly Legislative Update for 1-28-2024. Numerous bills have been added and corrections to several bill numbers have been made.
There are many important legislative bills coming up for hearing this week and the next two weeks. Please review the Weekly Update for specific information.
First - Fairness in Girls' Sports - HB 47. Our most sincere thanks to Delegate Szeliga and Senator Carozza for taking the lead in sponsoring this important legislation and to all of the Republican Delegates and Senators who are co-sponsors. This week:
Monday, January 29 - TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF HB - 47. YOU MUST SIGN UP TODAY BEFORE 6 P.M. using the General Assembly's "MyMGA" Account. (see guide for signing up.)
Tuesday, January 30 - Call all members of the House Ways and Means Committee and urge their FAVORABLE Vote for HB 47.
Wednesday, January 31st, is the Press Conference and Hearing for HB 47 - Fairness in Girls' Sports. If at all possible, please come to the Press Conference (be there by 11:30 a.m. to allow time to get through security, etc.) and, if you can, stay for the hearing.
Next week, the Senate EEE Committee will hear the Senate version of Fairness in Girls Sports - SB- 381. We will need people to testify on February 7 at 2 p.m. as well. More information soon.
Also, next week:
On February 8 at 1 p.m., will be the hearing on SB 443 - End of Life Options Act in the Judicial Proceedings Committee. This legislation failed by only 1 vote the last time it was voted on. Please strongly oppose this, well-intended, but highly dangerous legislation. We only have to look at what is happening in other places where assisted suicide has been enacted. People are sometimes denied care for advanced cancer or other diseases as 'inappropriate" and instead offered a prescription to end their life. In Canada, a person can request aid in dying because they are too distraught or too poor to care for themselves. It is very difficult to accurately predict how long a person will live. We should instead help each person to get the support and care they need to live as well as possible until they die naturally.
On February 6 at 1 p.m. in the House Ways and Means Committee will be the hearing on HB 423 (MC 1) Ranked Choice and Approval Voting for Montgomery County. While this is billed as a local bill it has statewide ramifications. Please oppose this bill that will confuse and discourage voters. The bill will allow the Montgomery County Council to set the rules. Everyone understands the current system: the person who gets the most votes wins. It isn't broken and doesn't need fixing.
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.