Spring 2025

Continuing from last week– this is the second (and final!) installment of my wrap-up from the 2025 legislative session. If you missed last week’s, you can check it out here.

Improving Our Elections

Maryland’s elections are surely among the very best in the country. And… there’s always room for improvement! My legislative agenda continues to focus on increasing participation, efficiency, and transparency.

Simplified Ballot Language (SB615: Sen. Kagan)– Ballot measures should be written to avoid confusing voters, including a clear title; plain-language description of the proposed policy change; and a concise explanation of the practical outcomes of a “yes” or “no” vote. Avoiding legal jargon, double negatives, and passive voice aligns with the Moore/Miller Administration’s Plain Language Executive Order. This straightforward bill was backed by the Governor’s office, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, the Center for Civic Design, and others. Although it passed the Senate unanimously again, it didn’t move through the House Ways & Means Committee.

Joined by leaders from League of Women Voters, Center for Civic Design, and Common Cause

Local Board of Elections (LBE) Transparency (SB337: Sen. Kagan)– During the COVID-19 pandemic, LBEs live-streamed their meetings for public accountability. Though Maryland’s election processes are fair and secure, discontinuing this practice can lead to doubts and conspiracy theories. I worked closely with MoCo Del. Marc Korman on this bill, which requires public broadcast and online access for a minimum of five years. Passed!

Special Elections (SB2: Sen. Kagan)– Did you know that roughly 25% of the General Assembly was selected (appointed) rather than elected? Voters should be able to choose their elected officials, and my Constitutional Amendment would have mandated this for many legislative vacancies. Although this popular bill passed the Senate again, the House Ways & Means Committee chose not to move it forward.

Stop Scam PACs (SB633: Sen. Kagan)– Given warnings from the FBI and the Federal Election Commission, we need to crack down on political entities that falsely claim to represent a candidate, political party, or organization. Along with District 17’s own Del. Julie Palakovich Carr, I sponsored legislation requiring registration and disclosure of expenditures. Violators will be fined and banned from future fundraising. Passed!

Risk-Limiting Audits (SB613: Sen. M. Washington)– Maryland will join 13 states that already have these post-election tabulations. Passed!

Changing the Primary Date (SB645: Sen. Kagan)– Moving Election Day from the last Tuesday to the fourth Tuesday in June will resolve scheduling conflicts with summer travel, school renovations, summer camps, and holidays; aid in recruiting Election Judges and student volunteers; and potentially increase voter turnout. Passed!

Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 2025 (SB342: Sen. Sydnor, co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan)– The VRA would ban tactics that weaken the voting power of protected groups and would give the Attorney General power of enforcement. It passed the Senate but died in the House.

Language Assistance (SB685: Sen. Augustine)– Counties with significant numbers of non-native English speaking voters will need to provide more language access. After my amendments to clarify that this wouldn’t be an unfunded mandate on local government, it passed mostly along party lines.

No-Show Election Judges (SB534: Sen. Kagan)– Until now, prospective Election Judges who received the training but didn’t show up at the polls could still be paid. This bipartisan, fiscally responsible proposal clarified that Election Judges can be compensated only after they serve during Early Voting and/or on Election Day. Passed!

Partial Ballot Acceptance (SB543: Sen. Kagan)– Provisional ballots that are currently rejected due to party affiliation will be counted only for (non-partisan) Board of Education contests. Passed!

Exploratory Committees (SB27: Sen. Kagan)– We should increase transparency and close the campaign finance loopholes for Exploratory Committees by requiring disclosure; limiting the purpose for which funds can be expended; and creating processes for dissolving these committees. Although this bill passed the Senate unanimously once again, it got stuck in the House Ways & Means Committee.

Caring for All

“Right to Repair” – Powered Wheelchairs (SB382: Sen. Kagan)– This is a growing national consumer protection movement. My bill (along with Del. Aaron Kaufman) requires manufacturers to make parts, tools, software, and documentation available to wheelchair users and independent repair providers. Passed!

Public Health Abortion Grant (SB848: Sen. Guzzone)– This program will give the Department of Health access to an existing $25 million fund collected as part of the federal Affordable Care Act. It will help cover costs for uninsured and underinsured individuals, offering greater access to reproductive choice. Passed!

Rallying for abortion rights with my staffer, Jordyn Loring, at the U.S. Supreme Court

Saving Lives in Libraries (SB369: Sen. Watson, co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan)– Named for Bowie resident Raymono A. Russell, whose life could have been saved by an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), this bill requires these life-saving machines to be placed in all county public libraries. Passed!

See Someone, Save Someone (SB7: Sen. M. Jackson)– Transportation employees will be trained to recognize victims of human trafficking. Passed!

Financial Exploitation of Seniors (SB466: Attorney General Brown)– Vulnerable seniors should be protected from exploitation by their caregivers. Despite passing the Senate unanimously, this bill did not move in the House.

Child Care Centers (HB1344: Del. D. Jones)– The Department of General Services (DGS) will assess State-owned facilities to determine whether they can accommodate child care centers. Passed!

Hospital Debt Collection (SB981: Sen. Hershey)– Financial assistance is now more accessible, and suing patients over minimal, or minimally delinquent, medical debt is now prohibited. Passed!

Housing Supply (SB891: Sen. M. Washington)– While Gov. Moore’s housing bill (SB430) ultimately did not advance, legislation allowing Accessory Dwelling Units will help the State to meet its housing goals. Passed!

Eric’s ID Law (SB618: Sen. Smith)– Marylanders with hidden intellectual or developmental disabilities can request a special notation on their license or identification card from the MVA. Passed!

Maryland Reparations Commission (SB587: Sen. Muse)– Establishes a study to consider appropriate actions for individuals whose ancestors were enslaved in the State. Passed along party lines.

Genetic Discrimination (SB757: Sen. A. Washington)– Insurance providers would be prohibited from discriminating based on genetic information or mandating genetic testing without obtaining written consent. (I gave a shout-out on the Senate floor to my predecessor, Jennie Forehand, who was ahead of her time in highlighting this issue decades ago.) Passed!

Addressing the Climate Crisis

Senate President Bill Ferguson always called the Education, Energy, and Environment (& Elections!) Committee the “workhorse” of the Senate, hearing substantially more bills than any other this session. As Vice Chair, I am proud of the legislation we advanced to support the goals of the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022.

With my wonderful committee Chair, Sen. Brian Feldman (D/15)

The Bottle Bill (SB346: Sen. Brooks, Co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan)– Help reduce the amount of plastic in our waste stream through specialized programs to motivate residents to recycle. While it did not move in either chamber, I’m hopeful that this legislation will pass next year.

Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act (SB428: Gov. Moore, co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan)– The Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program rewards farmers who adopt community-based practices; improves water quality monitoring; supports regenerative agriculture; and expands sustainable aquaculture. I was proud to defend this important initiative on the Senate floor. Passed!

Building Energy Performance Standards (“BEPS”) (SB256: Dept. of the Environment)– This bill refines how buildings measure and meet emissions and energy use targets. It establishes waivers for buildings with older equipment or where upgrades are impractical; allows Montgomery County and others with equivalent (or stronger) standards to administer their own programs; and requires the Department to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. Passed!

Increasing Transparency

Conflicts of Interest (SB723: Sen. Feldman, co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan)– No one should be allowed to use public office for personal financial gain. Incoming Governors must sign a formal pledge not to take part in any State matter involving a business in which they own at least 10%. Passed!

Homeowners Associations Reform (SB758: Sen. Kagan)– Based on a local bill sponsored by District 17’s own Del. Ryan Spiegel, HOA and condominium governance will be more transparent, fair, and accountable through this measure requiring independent entities to oversee elections; protecting unit and lot owners’ rights to organize; expanding access to financial documents; and empowering the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to enforce the law. Passed!

Ensuring the Administration of Justice

Geriatric Medical Parole (SB181: Sen. Hettleman)– The Parole Commission will now consider a person’s age when determining whether to grant early release. This measure would apply for those who are at least 60 years old and have served at least 15 years of their sentence or inmates diagnosed as terminally ill with less than six months to live. Passed!

“Second Look Act” (HB853: Del. Pasteur)– Inmates who had been convicted of a crime between 18 and 24 years of age for less than a life sentence can petition for a reduced sentence if they have already served at least 20 years; are not a sex offender; and have not been convicted of killing a First Responder. Passed!

Reworking the “Child Victims Act” (HB1378: Del. Wilson)– This bill establishes a deadline for filing claims under the Child Victims Act of 2023 and lowers the maximum payouts for cases reported after May 31, 2025. This vote was emotional for lawmakers torn between acknowledging the profound suffering of survivors and protecting the State’s fiscal capacity. Passed!

Working for Gaithersburg & Rockville

Sen. Craig Zucker, Chair of the Capital Budget Subcommittee, collaborated closely with the entire Montgomery County Delegation to secure more than $13 million for local priorities. I love partnering with Delegates Julie Palakovich Carr, Ryan Spiegel, and Joe Vogel on all the issues of significance to our district– including winning financial support for these worthy projects in Gaithersburg and Rockville:

• Renovating the Montgomery College Rockville campus library – $4,577,000
• Improving the Strathmore Hall Performing Arts Center –  $1,500,000
• Upgrading the facility and equipment at Rockville’s Elwood Smith Community Center – $260,000
• Acquiring and building a new City Hall in Gaithersburg – $300,000
• Renovating the Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington – $240,000
• Building and equipping the Montgomery History Center – $270,000
• Expanding the Sunflower Bakery with new facilities and a delivery truck – $30,000
• Transforming the Talbott Street water tower into a new Rockville park – $200,000
• Building a playground at Rachel Carson Elementary School in Gaithersburg – $1,550,000
• Improving Montgomery County Public Schools – $4,500,000 (including the new Crown High School for Gaithersburg!)

I love working closely with the Mayors and Councilmembers from Gaithersburg and Rockville!

SAVE THE DATE: Details to come on the D/17 Town Hall meeting, May 18.

Team 17: Proud to stand with Delegates Ryan Spiegel, Julie Palakovich Carr, and Joe Vogel

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, please follow me on Facebook (@CherylCKagan), Twitter/X (@CherylKagan), and Instagram (@CherylCKagan) for photos and posts. My website has a portal to request help with challenges you’re having with State government. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel 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.

Best,

District 17 (Gaithersburg & Rockville)

Vice Chair, Education, Energy, Environment (& Elections!) Committee

www.CherylKagan.org

PS: I am so proud of our own Sen. Chris Van Hollen for his leadership. He flew to El Salvador last week to meet with wrongfully deported Maryland father, Kilmar Ábrego García. He confronted officials who tried to block the meeting and demanded Kilmar’s safe return.