Dear Friends,

This week alone, the Senate Finance Committee has held 29 bill hearings! Monday will mark 64 days left in the legislative Session, it is also the deadline for the Senate to submit bills without the bills being held in the Rules Committee. We are working hard to make every moment count.

I have "dropped" 4 more bills this week:

• SB695 Labor and Employment - Uninsured Employers' Fund Board - Membership and Reserves: This bill changes the membership of the Uninsured Employers' Fund Board and requires the Board to create reserves to cover potential losses in the Uninsured Employers' Fund.
• SB696 Public Health - Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients: This bill expands the Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Registry and Referral System to include both private and state mental health and substance use services. It also requires the Maryland Department of Health to ensure that pediatric patients who stay in hospitals longer than necessary are placed in the least restrictive setting.
• SB697 Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Premium Discounts - Methodology: This bill requires that premium discounts from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund be based on the insured’s income and backed by proper data to ensure they are fair and justified.
• SB776: Workgroup to Study the Rise in Adverse Decisions in the State Health Care System – Establishment: This bill creates a workgroup to examine the increase in adverse decisions within the State's health care system. The workgroup will review current reporting requirements for health insurers in the state and make recommendations for improvement. They are required to report their findings and suggestions by December 1, 2025.

As we move forward, I encourage you to stay informed by regularly checking the MGA website for updates and to view the latest legislation.

BGE Bills & Rate Increases

My office has heard from many constituents about the increases they are seeing on their BGE bills. BGE has provided the document below to explain these increases. The distribution rates and Multi-Year Plan (MYP) reconciliation charges help fund critical infrastructure improvements.

For those seeing higher bills, much of this is due to increased energy usage during the cold weather. Our heating systems are consuming more energy to maintain warmth when it’s extremely cold outside.

I encourage you to visit the links from BGE for energy-saving tips and assistance resources. We are here to help!

BGE Energy Savings Tips for Customers During Extreme Cold

• BGE Ready to Provide Safe and Reliable Service during Winter https://www.bge.com/.../bge-ready-to-provide-safe-and...
• BGE “We’re Here to Help” page on bge.com https://www.bge.com/my-account/customer-support/bill-help

A full explanation of their multi-year infrastructure investment plan can be found on the BGE website.

BGE's 2025 Energy Bill Information for BGE Customers - Reference Guide, provides an overview of expected increases based on an average combined residential gas and electric customer and can be viewed HERE.

Resources Available:

• BGE Assistance Finder: bge.com/AssistanceFinder
• LINK to Anne Arundel County Resource Directory - Financial Assistance - Utilities
• ACDS Virtual BGE Information Session - this LINK will take you to the Teams Meeting link as described below.

Visits this Week

This week, I had the privilege of meeting with advocates and representatives from a variety of organizations. Thank you to the volunteers from Moms Demand Action in Anne Arundel County, Maryland Just Power Alliance, and Susan G. Komen for visiting and sharing their priorities with me and my staff!

Congresswoman Elfreth's Return to the Senate

Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth returned to the Maryland Senate so we could send her our best wishes as she takes on her new role representing District 3 in Congress. She was an outstanding Senator, and I have no doubt she’ll be an incredible Congresswoman. Congresswoman Elfreth passed the “baby senator” trophy, which now goes to Senator Dalys Attar of District 41!