April 23, 2026

 Dear Friend:

Hello again!

A few days ago, I sent you part 1 highlighting what we accomplished during the 90-day legislative session in Annapolis. It featured our work to combat ICE; close the budget gap; create the first statewide 3-1-1 system in the country; fund our schools; and address skyrocketing utility bills. What follows will complete my update and provide important information.

Putting Voters First

Following Trump’s lead, some other states are making it harder to vote– and the Supreme Court seems ready to gut what is left of the federal Voting Rights Act. Maryland is taking the opposite path by ensuring that every eligible Marylander can cast a vote and have it counted.

Counting our Ballots (SB949: Sen. Kagan)– Reaffirms that mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day must be accepted– regardless of any overreach by the Trump Administration or Congress. It includes portions of another Kagan bill, SB948, to rename absentee ballots delivered via the Internet as “Print-at-Home” ballots, making it clear that they must be printed, marked, and returned by mail… and not online. Passed! 

Simplified Ballot Language (SB29: Sen. Kagan)– To increase voter participation, ballot measures will use plain language without legal jargon, double negatives, or passive voice that can confuse voters. Passed!

Voting Rights Act (SB255: Sen. Sydnor)– Passing in the final minutes before midnight, this important civil rights bill ensures that counties and municipalities can’t dilute the votes of minority groups. Passed and celebrated with Sen. Sydnor below!

Keeping Peace at the Polls (SB670: Sen. Kagan)– Authorizes local election officials at polling places to stop disruptors from interfering with the vote and clarifies rules for poll watchers and challengers. Passed!

Stopping Election Lies (SB141: Sen. Hester, Sen. Kagan co-sponsor)– Prohibits the use of “deepfakes” in election-related communication. Passed!

“Faithless” Electors (SB237: Sen. Kagan)– Creates a back-up slate in the event that a participant in the Electoral College casts a ballot against the will of the voters. Passed!

 “Ballot Access” (SB132: Sen. Kagan)– Would have given unaffiliated voters more flexibility in Primary Elections. In Maryland, most winners are effectively chosen in primaries. Passed the House and will return in 2027!

Ranked Choice Voting (SB236: Sen. Kagan)– Sought to move us towards greater compatibility with Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Instead, RCV language was amended into SB848/HB1448 sponsored by Sen. Gallion (R) and Del. Tomlinson (R). This marks the first time that RCV is added to our law books, as many municipalities– including Gaithersburg and Rockville– continue to explore this increasingly popular option. Passed!

Exploratory Campaigns (SB65: Sen. Kagan)– Would require candidates considering a run for office to comply with campaign finance disclosure laws to ensure oversight and transparency and limit how funds could be spent. Passed the Senate and House but in different forms. I plan to bring this back in 2027!

ELECTED…not SELECTED! (SB5: Sen. Kagan)– This Constitutional Amendment would have required Special Elections to fill some legislative vacancies so that voters– not party leaders– could choose their representatives. Unfortunately, the minority party’s obstructive delays ran out the clock just before midnight.

Sustaining Strong Nonprofits

Maryland’s 41,000 nonprofits serve every community– supporting vulnerable families, providing food and job training, and preserving our environment and history. They operate with integrity, and we should support them in return. Instead, some colleagues seemed intent on smearing the entire sector.

Last year, my bill created the nation’s first Nonprofit Navigator to help organizations cut through red tape and access funding. Unfortunately, a two-year sunset was added. I was disappointed that SB69, which would have made the Navigator position permanent and eligible for benefits, did not receive a vote in the House. Our first Navigator, Jessica Doiron, is already making an enormous difference for nonprofits across the State. To learn more or request one-on-one assistance, visit business.maryland.gov/nonprofit-opportunities. For news and nonprofit opportunities, sign up for her newsletter at mailchi.mp/maryland/nonprofit.

Nonprofit Accountability (SB354: Sen. Kagan)– Raises the threshold at which nonprofits must complete an independent audit– the first update in a decade– saving their time and allowing focus on their mission. Passed!

Nonpartisan Nonprofits! (SB4: Sen. Kagan & President Ferguson)– For 72 years, the “Johnson Amendment” has kept charitable organizations out of partisan politics. With Trump and Congress trying to weaken the federal law, this bill was a top priority for the National Council of Nonprofits, Maryland Nonprofits (pictured below), as well as groups from around the State. As attacks on the sector continue, I will remain vigilant to prevent the politicization of our nonprofits.

Balancing Artificial Intelligence Opportunities and Guardrails

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Partnership (SB597: Sen. Hester, Sen. Kagan co-sponsor)– Establishes a hub at the University of Maryland to develop and coordinate AI initiatives. Passed!

AI-Ready Schools (SB720: Sen. Hester)– Requires the State Department of Education to provide guidance on AI to schools, parents, and students. Each school system will designate a coordinator and adopt policies. Passed!

Caring for Our Community

The Vax Act (SB385: President Ferguson, Sen. Kagan co-sponsor)– Ensures that recommended vaccines, screenings, and preventive services are led by the latest science and clinical guidance. As the Trump Administration and RFK Jr. continue to reject medical consensus and spread misinformation, Maryland is standing up to protect public health. With a new COVID variant, “Cicada,” it may be time to consult your health care provider about a booster. Passed!

Menu Transparency (SB866: Sen. A. Washington)– Would have required chain restaurants to disclose menu items with high sodium or sugar and make full nutritional information available. This statewide bill came close but didn’t make it across the finish line. [It is already law in Montgomery County.]

Contraceptive Access for College Students (SB532: Sen. Kagan)– Ensures that community colleges provide approved over-the-counter contraceptives and requires public colleges and universities to report annually on student access. It also strengthens transparency so access can be tracked and improved. Passed!

Protections for Life-Threatening Pregnancies (SB169: Sen. Lam)– Requires hospitals to treat and stabilize pregnant patients with life-threatening complications– including an abortion if medically necessary. It protects providers and penalizes hospitals that fail to comply. Passed!

Supporting Our LGBTQ+ Community (SB950: Sen. Kagan)– An unexpectedly sweeping Supreme Court decision potentially threatened our 2018 Conversion Therapy ban. I ws proud to sponsor the Senate bill to extend the statute of limitations to sue a “therapist” for their damaging attempts to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite valiant efforts in both chambers to respond to this recent ruling, the legislation did not advance this year.

Menopause Care and Support (SB892: Sen. Gile)– Improves menopause care by increasing provider training and guaranteeing coverage for evaluation and treatment of menopause-related conditions. Passed!

Protecting “Eloping” Constituents (SB745: Sen. McKay)– Trains police about elopement– a high-risk wandering behavior linked to autism and dementia– that can lead to traffic accidents, drowning, or exposure. Passed!

Protecting Consumers

Prohibiting Predatory Pricing (HB895: Speaker Peña-Melnyk)– Stops grocery stores from implementing “dynamic pricing,”– charging customers different amounts for the same items on the same day. Merchants must disclose when their prices are set by an algorithm or by using the consumer’s personal data. Passed!

Cracking Down on Phony Licenses (SB653: Sen. Kagan)– Counties must verify architectural licenses before granting permits. The State Board of Architects will now have the authority to discipline those who commit fraud. This bill was inspired by a constituent’s experience. Passed!

Driver’s License and ID Card Swiping (SB695: Sen. Kagan)– Limits the swiping of driver’s licenses or ID cards and protects privacy by preventing data from being stored, sold, or shared. Seventeen states place either a restriction on ID scanning, data retention, or both. I was disappointed to see this stalled in the Finance Committee.

Gas Price Clarity (SB303: Sen. Kagan)– Would have closed a loophole in the gas price signage law I passed in 2024. The fuel lobby vehemently opposed an end to their “bait and switch” practices that mislead consumers.

Protecting the Environment

Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits “G.R.E.E.N.” (SB23: Sen. Kagan)– For the past five years, I’ve sponsored a program to help nonprofits lower their energy bills through upgrades like solar panels, better insulation, and efficient lighting. Nonprofits will pay 10% of the cost, with the balance covered by an interest-free, revolving loan fund run by the Maryland Clean Energy Center. Groups will repay the loan with their energy savings– cutting costs while helping the environment. This idea inspired Congressman Jamie Raskin to create similar programs at the federal level. If you’re involved with a Maryland nonprofit, keep an eye out for this exciting opportunity! Passed in the RELIEF Act!

Regulating “Forever Chemicals” (SB719: Sen. Love)– Protects soil, water, and public health by limiting agricultural application of sewage sludge with high PFAS “forever chemicals” and setting strict monitoring standards. It also allows controlled treatment methods to reduce contamination. Passed!

Bottle Bill (SB342: Sen. Brooks, Sen. Kagan co-sponsor)– A beverage container refund system would boost reuse and recycling; reduce litter and pollution; and require producers to register and pay fees. Did you know that microplastics are found in our bodies? I highly recommend the documentary movie Plastic People, which powerfully reveals the impact of this form of pollution.

Building Affordable Housing

Access to safe and affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges in Montgomery County and around the State.

Maryland Housing Certainty Act (SB325: Sen. Augustine)– Sets clear, predictable standards so development can move forward without local jurisdictions shifting requirements after an application is approved. It reduces the development fees that are passed on to renters and buyers. Passed!

Enhancing Smart Growth (HB894: Speaker Peña-Melnyk)– Makes it easier for housing to be built where it is most needed. This complements the recent designation of the area around the Rockville Metro station as a transit-oriented development, which will likely expand housing opportunities. Passed!

Affordable Housing in MoCo (HB1252: MoCo Delegation)– Studies housing availability and affordability with recommendations to guide our future policies. Passed!

Bring Back Main Street (SB829: Sen. Waldstreicher)– Puts Maryland on the path of further encouraging multi-family housing and mixed-use development in commercial corridors. Passed!

Condo/Homeowner Associations (SB955: Sen. Kagan)– Would have addressed a few issues with the bill I enacted last year to strengthen HOA elections. We will bring it back next year.

Supporting the Arts

“Public Artists” (SB41: Sen. Kagan)– Artists should not be required to waive their federal protections granted by the Visual Artists Rights Act in order to be a recipient of public art commissions. We will try again next year.

I continue to represent the Maryland General Assembly as the one Senator on the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). In 2025, MSAC awarded almost $20 million to 300+ arts organizations and individual artists. The arts are vital to our economy– creating jobs, attracting visitors, and strengthening local communities.

Senatorial Scholarships

I am always inspired by the talented students who apply for my Senatorial Scholarships. We are seeking D/17 residents who are passionate about their education and community service. Don’t wait until the last minute! My volunteer Senatorial Scholarship Selection Committee looks for well-written, thoughtful essays. For more information and to apply, please visit www.CherylKagan.org/scholarships.

Keeping Up with Kagan!

I am deeply honored to represent the people of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and I hope to see you soon in the community! In the meantime, I’m pretty active on social media, and all posts and tweets are my own. You can follow me on Facebook (@CherylCKagan), Twitter/X (@CherylKagan), and Instagram (@CherylCKagan) for photos and posts. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Spotify, or Apple podcasts to be alerted to new episodes of my “Kibbitzing with Kagan” podcast. And, you can always send me questions or comments via email.

I hope you have enjoyed this report from Annapolis. To receive infrequent legislative and community updates from me, please click here!

Best,

Cheryl

Cheryl C. Kagan

State Senator, District 17

(Gaithersburg & Rockville)

Vice Chair, Education, Energy, & the Environment Committee

www.CherylKagan.org

410-841-3134

PS: Primary Elections are around the corner! Early Voting runs from June 11-18 with Election Day on June 23. To update your registration, request a mail-in ballot, or identify a convenient voting location, visit Montgomery County Board of Elections or MoCo’s Customer Service Center by dialing 3-1-1!