Legislative Update - Week of Feb. 16
Legislative Update
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Celebrate President’s Day by attending our weekly Monday Night Labor Lobbyists Meeting, Monday at 5:00 PM as scheduled. The General Assembly does not take a holiday.
Please RSVP to Elizabeth Bobo at ebobo@mddclabor.org so we can plan accordingly.
As hearings continue, please check our Labor Legislative Calendar regularly for updated schedules and bill activity. Things are moving quickly. Legislators will be voting on our bills from next week forward.
First, contact each committee member about our bills and get a commitment that they will vote yes to pass it. Thank them for committing their support. Show up for the voting session.
Session is accelerating. Stay engaged. Stay visible. Stay organized.
🔎 WEEKLY BILL TRACKER
Week of February 16 All hearings at 1:00 PM unless noted
Below are the bills the State Federation is tracking this week. Click each bill number to read the full text on the Maryland General Assembly website.
🔴 LABOR TESTIFYING IN PERSON 🟡 SUBMITTING WRITTEN TESTIMONY 🔵 MONITORING
📅 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
🔴 SB 387 – Protection From Predatory Pricing Act Senate Finance Prohibits certain food retailers from using dynamic pricing or consumer surveillance data to set prices; bars the use of protected class data for discriminatory pricing; and stops changes that would diminish rights or benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements without negotiation. Provides enforcement remedies under consumer protection law.
🟡 HB 317 – Certification of Compliance With State Labor Laws House Economic Matters Requires entities receiving state economic development assistance or state contracts to annually certify they aren’t under certain adverse determinations and are complying with state labor law obligations. Directs state units to pause award/renewal for non-compliance.
🟡 HB 473 – Collective Bargaining & Class Size House Ways & Means Expands collective bargaining rights for certified education employees by incorporating class size considerations into negotiations.
🟡 SB 411 – Safe Staffing Act of 2026 Senate Finance Establishes clinical staffing committees in licensed hospitals with equal management and employee representation to develop staffing plans. Crossfiled with HB 624.
📅 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
🔴 SB 28 – Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026 Senate Budget & Taxation Establishes a neutral arbitrator process at impasse and mandates budget appropriations for agreed contract terms; includes proposed constitutional amendment language.
🔴 SB 417 – Maryland Worker Freedom Act Senate Finance Prohibits mandatory employer “captive audience” meetings for anti-union, political, or religious matters.
🟡 HB 624 – Safe Staffing Act House Health & Government Operations Companion bill advancing hospital safe staffing standards (see SB 411).
🟡 SB 388 – DECADE Act Senate Budget & Taxation Alters eligibility for economic development programs and redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the Strategic Closing Fund.
🟡 SB 445 – Firefighter Wage Transparency Senate Finance Strengthens wage payment standards and payroll transparency for firefighters.
🟡 SB 457 – County Property Tax Subclasses Senate Budget & Taxation Authorizes counties to create separate tax subclasses for land and improvements.
🔵 SB 311 – Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Revisions Senate Education, Energy & the Environment Revises components of the state’s major education reform law.
📅 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
🟡 HB 149 – Fire Prevention & Safety Updates House Environment & Transportation Mandates certain smoke detector/sprinkler equipment in high-rises and establishes licensure standards for fire alarm technicians.
🟡 SB 439 – Medical Cannabis Protections for Fire & Rescue Employees Senate Finance Prohibits employment discrimination for lawful off-duty medical cannabis use.
🛎 Reminder: Testimony sign-up and written submissions are handled exclusively through the MyMGA portal, with strict deadlines and no late entries.
Upcoming Events
Labor Legislative Lobbying Meeting 🗓 Monday, February 16 | 🕔 5:00 PM 📍 Maryland State & DC AFL-CIO, 7 School Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 RSVP via email to attend in person.
Union Night in Annapolis 🗓 Monday, March 9 📍 Maryland State House