Legislative Update - Week of Feb. 9
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 by emailing unions@mddclabor.org. If you absolutely can’t make it in person, request a Zoom link from Elizabeth Bobo. Note: Zoom is largely listen-only.
The bills we’re tracking have real consequences for workers. Your outreach—emails, testimony, phone calls—is critical. 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.
📝 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
Planning to testify? Follow these rules so your submission counts.
Step-by-step guide:
mddclabor.org/how-testify-maryland-general-assembly-step-step-guide
Key Guidelines
- All testimony (oral sign-up and written) is through the MyMGA portal.
- Opens 2 business days before the hearing (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM).
- No late submissions; everything becomes public record.
Need help? Contact ebobo@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…
Labor Legislative Lobbying Meeting
🗓 Monday, February 9 | 🕔 5:00 PM
📍 Maryland State & DC AFL-CIO, 7 School St, Annapolis, MD 21401
RSVP via email (food provided). Zoom is listen-only—contact Elizabeth Bobo for a link.
📬 Stay Connected. Stay Union Strong.
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