Legislative Update - Bills we're watching next week (Week of Jan. 26)
📅 LEGISLATION TO WATCH NEXT WEEK
The Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO is closely monitoring, testifying, and engaging on the following bills in the coming week. You are encouraged to support our unions' legislation by submitting testimony to a committee, your legislators, and attending hearings to show support. If you plan to testify or follow along, mark your calendar now. You can view our calendar on our website. For more information, contact Elizabeth Bobo at ebobo@mddclabor.org.
Big Bills Coming Up Next Week
SB 84 - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants
Collective bargaining is an exercise of freedom. Collective bargaining unites workers through their union to negotiate as equals with employers, determine wages, hours, leave, safety, and work-life balance. Graduate workers deserve a real voice on the job. Collective bargaining should be available to ALL workers.
📍 Senate Finance Committee
⏰ Thursday, January 29, 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
✍️ Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO testifying in person and submitting written testimony.
SB 60 - Fraud Prevention, Prevailing Wage, and Living Wage - Prohibitions, Penalties, and Enforcement
Strong enforcement holds businesses accountable and prevents them from stealing workers' wages and supports responsible employees. This bill is about accountability and protecting workers!
📍Senate Finance Committee
⏰ Wednesday, January 28, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
✍️ Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO testifying in person and submitting written testimony.
Other Bills We're Watching
🗓 Tuesday, January 27
🔹 HB 78 – Property Taxes
Authority of Counties to Establish Subclasses and Set Separate Rates for Land and Improvements
📍 House Ways and Means Committee
⏰ 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
*******
🔹 HB 74 – State Procurement
Construction and Services – Contract Modification
📍 House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee
⏰ 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
*******
🔹 HB 86 – State and Local Employees
Cancer Screening – Paid Leave
📍 House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee
⏰ 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
🗓 Wednesday, January 28
🔹 SB 63 – State Procurement
Construction and Services – Contract Modification
📍 Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
⏰ 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
*******
🔹 SB 216 – Unemployment Insurance
Confidentiality of Information
📍 Senate Finance Committee
⏰ 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
🗓 Thursday, January 29
🔹 HB 13 – Income Tax
Subtraction Modification – Public Safety Employee Retirement Income
(Supporting Our 911 Specialists Act)
📍 House Ways and Means Committee
⏰ 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
🛎 Reminder: Testimony sign-up and written submissions are handled exclusively through the MyMGA portal, with strict deadlines and no late entries. Check committee schedules early and often.
This is NOT a comprehensive list of bills that we're watching. Come to our Monday lobbying meetings if you want more information about what's happening in Annapolis.
📝 HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY (READ THIS BEFORE THE PORTAL CLOSES)
Planning to testify on upcoming legislation? Great. To ensure that your testimony counts, follow the rules and use the tools available.
👉 Step-by-step instructions are available here:
https://mddclabor.org/how-testify-maryland-general-assembly-step-step-guide
Testimony Guidelines to Know
- All testimony submissions (oral sign-up and written testimony) must be completed through the MyMGA portal.
- Testimony opens up 2 business days before the hearing date (i.e. if your bill is heard on a Tuesday, testimony is due by Friday). Testimony is open from 8:00am to 6:00pm.
- The bill orders are usually posted on the website by noon on the day of the hearing.
- All testimony will be public record and searchable online.
- No late submissions. Miss the deadline or try to switch from in-person to virtual after it closes, and you’re out.
Need help?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you have questions or run into issues submitting testimony, reach out to Elizabeth Bobo atebobo@mddclabor.org.
Upcoming Events
Weekly Labor Lobbying Meetings
🗓 Monday, January 26
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 In Person (preferred — yes, there’s food!)
Maryland State & DC AFL-CIO Headquarters, 7 School Street, Annapolis, MD
💻 Zoom available upon request (mostly listen-only)
These meetings are your chance to stay informed, coordinate strategy, and make sure labor’s priorities are heard loud and clear during the legislative session.
Union Night in Annapolis
🗓 Monday, March 9
📍 Maryland State House
All affiliates are strongly encouraged to attend and bring as many members as possible. Union Night is about visibility, solidarity, and reminding state decision-makers exactly who working people are—and how many of us there are.
Legislative Hearings & Key Dates
🗓 Ongoing throughout the session
Stay up to date with hearings, deadlines, and important legislative moments by checking our online calendar: 👉 https://mddclabor.org/maryland-state-legislative-calendar-0
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