Our first labor lobbying meeting is officially in the books, and we've been going full throttle since opening day.
Our Monday night labor lobbyists meetings will continue through April 6. These meetings are the backbone of our legislative strategy and the primary space where we discuss upcoming legislation, share knowledge, and dig into what’s happening in Annapolis that matters to our affiliates and our members.
In-person attendance at our weekly meeting is strongly encouraged (yes, there will be food again). Please RSVP to meetings by emailing unions@mddclabor.org so we can order the right amount of food and beverages. If you absolutely can’t make it in person, you may request a Zoom link by emailing Elizabeth Bobo at ebobo@mddclabor.org. Please note: Zoom participation is largely listen-only, with limited ability to jump into the discussion.
The bills we’re tracking have real consequences for workers, our members, and our unions. Your outreach to legislators—through emails, testimony, or phone calls—in support of (or opposition to) legislation is critical to advancing pro-worker, pro-union policies. Now is not the time to sit idle. You can make a difference.
📅 Upcoming Bills & Notable Legislative Dates
🔴 Bills We’re Testifying on In Person
📝 Tuesday, February 10
HB 106 – State Personnel: Collective Bargaining – Nontenure Track Faculty 1:00 – 2:00 PM | House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee Expands collective bargaining rights to nontenure track faculty, strengthening workplace protections and giving educators a real voice on pay, workload, and job security.
HB 141 – State Personnel: Collective Bargaining – Graduate Assistants 1:00 – 2:00 PM | House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee Extends collective bargaining rights to graduate assistants, recognizing them as workers and allowing them to negotiate over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
HB 148 – Consumer Protection & Labor: Surveillance-Based Price and Wage Setting (Prohibition) 1:00 – 1:30 PM | House Economic Matters Committee Prohibits the use of surveillance data and algorithms to manipulate wages and prices, curbing exploitative practices that suppress pay and harm workers.
📝 Wednesday, February 11
HB 188 – Unemployment Modernization Act of 2026 1:00 – 2:00 PM | House Economic Matters Committee Modernizes Maryland’s unemployment insurance system to improve access, efficiency, and fairness for workers who lose their jobs.
SB 3 – Unemployment Modernization Act of 2026 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Senate Finance Committee Senate companion bill to HB 188, advancing long-overdue updates to unemployment benefits and system infrastructure.
📝 Thursday, February 12
SB 387 – Food Retailers: Dynamic Pricing, Surveillance Data & CBAs (Protection from Predatory Pricing Act) 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Senate Finance Committee Restricts the use of surveillance data and dynamic pricing models that exploits consumers.
🟡 Bills We’re Submitting Written Testimony On
📝 Tuesday, February 10
HB 345 – Public Utilities: Solar Energy Generating Systems and SRECs (Affordable Solar Act) 1:00 – 2:00 PM | House Environment and Transportation Committee Expands access to affordable solar energy while potentially creating and sustaining union jobs in the clean energy sector.
HB 480 – Transportation Network Companies: Deactivation of Operators 1:00 – 2:00 PM | House Environment and Transportation Committee Requires transparency and due process when app-based drivers are deactivated, protecting workers from arbitrary or unfair termination.
📝 Thursday, February 12
HB 478 – Income Tax: Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers 1:00 – 2:00 PM | House Ways and Means Committee Increases tax relief for educators who spend their own money on classroom supplies, helping offset chronic underfunding in schools.
HB 472 – Theatrical Production Tax Credit – Sunset Extension 1:00 – 1:30 PM | House Ways and Means Committee Extends tax credits that support Maryland’s film and theater industries, preserving union jobs in the arts and entertainment sector.
HB 528 – Income Tax: Retirement Income for Fire, Rescue & EMS Personnel 1:00 – 1:30 PM | House Ways and Means Committee Expands eligibility for tax relief on retirement income for public safety workers, recognizing the importance of these careers.
🛎 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.
Have you submitted your own testimony yet? Upload your written testimony through the MyMGA portal so your voice is heard — every member story matters.
Share your testimony submissions with us via email unions@mddclabor.org. Note: This is for testimony that you've already submitted to my MGA. We will not submit on your behalf but we will help you create testimony if you need help.
If you are out lobbying, we'd love photos of that too. Include your photos in your email! View what's been submitted so far by visiting: https://mddclabor.org/2026-testimony.
This is NOT a comprehensive list of bills that we're watching. Come to our Monday lobbyist 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.
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
Senate Bill Introduction Deadline (27th Day)
🗓 Monday, February 9
🕔 All Day
Senate bills introduced after this date are referred to the Senate Rules Committee. Deadline for members to submit LBI requests to DLS to guarantee preparation by the 55th day
Labor Legislative Lobbying Meeting
🗓 Monday, February 9
🕔 5:00 PM
📍 Maryland State & DC AFL-CIO 7 School Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
House bills introduced after this date are referred to the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. Deadline for members to submit LBI requests to DLS to guarantee preparation by the 55th day.
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 in-the-know with hearings, deadlines, and important legislative moments by checking our online calendar. It is updated daily with the most up-to-date information we have from the MGA website:
