Spring 2025

What a session! Over the course of 90 days, under uniquely difficult fiscal and political circumstances, the General Assembly approved a balanced budget and passed 878 bills. Limited resources and competing priorities meant making trade-offs and adjusting plans. Compromise wasn’t always easy, but it was necessary– and I’m proud that SIXTEEN bills I sponsored are headed to Governor Wes Moore’s desk!

Defending Our Values

This year, we faced a barrage of reckless acts by the “Trump/Musk” Administration, forcing us to respond to both fiscal and legal crises. We’ve seen punitive policies; harmful budget cuts and freezes; cruel mass layoffs of our devoted public servants; and blatant attacks on our fundamental rights. These intrusions influenced our debates and forced swift action to safeguard our State’s stability and our residents’ dignity.

Attorney General Anthony Brown has led or joined nine lawsuits challenging the White House’s depraved maneuvers. While the layoffs and forced leaves of more than 100,000 federal employees is devastating, I am particularly mindful of “our” agencies– those with significant presence in Montgomery County– including NIH, HHS, FDA, NSA, NOAA, NRC, and NIST.

Protect Our Federal Workers Act (SB683: Sen. Charles, co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan)– Allows for the reallocation of State funds to assist federal employees (77,000 of whom live in Montgomery County) affected by Trump-directed layoffs. It also expands the authority of our Attorney General to pursue litigation. Passed!

Federal Jobs Act of 2025 (SB1040: Sen. Hester, co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan)– Would establish the Expedited Hiring Program to bring laid-off federal workers into vacant State government positions. This bill was incorporated into HB1424, which passed.

Protecting Sensitive Locations (SB828: Sen. Smith)– Would have restricted the access of the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in schools, libraries, courthouses, hospitals, places of worship, and State government buildings. This bill was incorporated into HB1222, which terminates agreements that allow local police to act as ICE agents and halts new ones from being created.

Data Privacy Act (SB977: Sen. Lam)– Would have stopped ICE from accessing State records and information without a valid warrant; required agencies to document access requests; and maintained trust in government services. This bill passed the Senate but did not move out of the House Judiciary Committee.

Budgeting for Our Future

Chatting with Budget Chair Sen. Guy Guzzone about District 17’s needs

• Cutting $1.6 billion in spending:
• $455 million from the General Fund (the largest decrease in a decade);
• $700 million from the Special Fund; and,
• $300 million in Federal Funds;
• Generating $1.2 billion in new revenues; and,
• Leaving a $15 million structural surplus, $317 million cash surplus, and $2.1 billion in the Rainy Day Fund.

I am hopeful that this budget puts Maryland in a strong position to absorb most of the strain caused by financial uncertainty. Depending on future federal actions, we may need to reconvene this fall in a Special Session.

Strengthening Nonprofits & Our Economy

The more we uplift our nonprofits, the more we uplift Marylanders. Nonprofit organizations employ 13% of our workforce (only slightly behind first-place retail at 14%). Their services and resources make nonprofits the social and economic backbone of our communities. Tragically, the pernicious policies of the Trump/Musk Administration are threatening their financial stability. As the “Senator for the Nonprofit Sector,” I partner closely with Maryland Nonprofits and others to address the needs of these vital organizations. I am dedicated to supporting these superheroes in every corner of our State– perhaps now more than ever.

Speaking at Maryland Nonprofits annual conference

Indirect Costs (SB127: Sen. Kagan)– My 2018 bill established a 10% minimum allowance in State grants and contracts for unseen expenses like rent, accounting, and staff training– in line with federal policy at that time. In 2024, the federal level was raised to 15%; this made updating Maryland’s rate both common sense and a top priority. Early Trump actions made clear that this legislation must become effective immediately and that 15% be set as a floor to protect our nonprofits from backwards movement. Passed!

“G.R.E.E.N.” Renewable Energy for Nonprofits (SB105: Sen. Kagan)– An interest-free revolving loan fund would help nonprofit organizations transition to renewable energy, since they aren’t eligible for the tax incentives that subsidize businesses. Despite passing the Senate for the FOURTH year in a row (inspiring federal programs in the meantime), the House Economic Matters Committee didn’t even hold a hearing for the revised Senate version.

Reducing Your Electricity Bills

We are facing an energy crisis– and with skyrocketing costs, growing demand, and the retirement of key power plants, Marylanders are justifiably concerned about our energy grid. Our Democratic majority advanced a bold package of three bills to lower utility bills; improve grid reliability; and create a stable, forward-looking regulatory framework to ensure that our energy future is both sustainable and secure.

My Committee visited Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Southern MD to discuss energy policy

Resource Adequacy & Planning (SB909: Sen. Hester)– Establishes the Strategic Energy Planning Office to develop forecasts, requiring electric utilities to share data needed for long-term grid reliability. Passed!

Renewable Energy Certainty (SB931: Sen. Feldman)– Identifies State-owned land for solar use; limits solar projects to 5% of protected farmland (a first-in-the-nation cap on development in protected areas); and streamlines permitting while preserving local authority. Passed!

Enhancing Education

Civic Excellence (SB8: Sen. Kagan)– This Program would award Seals of Civic Excellence to students who earn high marks in relevant courses and exams and complete a community Student Service-Learning (SSL) project. It would also allow public schools to gain recognition as Centers of Civic Excellence. Co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Justin Ready and cross-filed by District 17’s own Del. Joe Vogel, this bill would reward involvement in State and local affairs. Despite unanimous Senate support for the third year in a row, it was again held up in the House Ways & Means Committee.

Holocaust Education Grants (HB71: Del. Edelson)– Antisemitism is often the result of ignorance. This bill establishes a modest $50,000 grant program for public schools. Passed!

GED Language Access (SB451: Sen. King, co-sponsored by Sen. Kagan)– Maryland now joins the other 49 states in allowing individuals to take all parts of the General Educational Development (GED) test in Spanish. Passed!

Student Cell Phone Use (SB130: Sen. Benson)– Through this legislation, the State Department of Education would create guidelines on the use of personal electronic devices during school hours. Each County Board would then work with students, parents, teachers, and staff to adopt their own policy. Despite changes to accommodate different grade levels and students with disabilities, this bill was ultimately unsuccessful.

Met with talented high school students serving as Senate Pages

Supporting 9-1-1 and First Responders

Improving our emergency response systems has been my personal mission since three people died in my district when 9-1-1 failed. I established and chaired the Maryland Next Generation 9-1-1 Commission and am now chairing the new 9-1-1 Specialist Recruitment & Retention Workgroup.

Protecting 9-1-1 from Cyberattacks (SB81: Sen. Kagan)– Our 9-1-1 call centers are vulnerable. Penalizing the criminals behind these attacks makes our emergency response systems safer. After introducing this bill many times, it finally passed!

9-8-8 & 9-1-1 (SB36: Sen. Kagan)– It was important to strengthen the connection between 9-1-1 and the 9-8-8 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. Signed into law!

MDEM Regulatory Authority (SB138: Sen. Kagan)– When my legislation elevated the Emergency Management Agency to a Cabinet-level office, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) was not granted regulatory authority. This bill corrects that oversight. Signed into law!

Featured at NENA’s annual conference, “9-1-1 Goes to Washington”

Addressing Obstructed License Plates (SB322: Sen. Kagan)– Strengthens our laws against obscured license plates, which cost Maryland lost toll and ticket revenues; impede efforts to solve hit-and-run accidents; and hamper efforts to locate missing persons through Amber & Silver Alerts. Passed!

Honoring ALL Firefighters (SB164: Sen. Kagan)– Since 1893, “MSFA” has referred to the Maryland State FireMEN’s Association. Last year, the membership officially voted to change its name to the Maryland State FireFIGHTERS Association. My legislation renamed MSFA in our lawbooks and updated other gendered terms such as “fireMEN” and “rescue squadMEN.” Passed!

James “Jimmy” Malone Act (SB374: Sen. Beidle)– Health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) will now be required to cover preventative cancer screenings for firefighters. This bill is named for my friend and former House colleague, Del. Jimmy Malone, who died from brain cancer after decades dedicated to public service as both a legislator and a firefighter. Passed!

Will You Attend These Upcoming Events?

There’s always lots to do in Gaithersburg and Rockville. Check out these highlights– I hope to see you there!

• Gaithersburg Farmers’ Market: Every Thursday, starting May 3 as well as every Saturday year-round
• VisArts’ 13th Annual Rockville Arts Festival: May 4-5, Rockville Town Center (always fun!)
• Gaithersburg Chorus Concerts: May 9 and May 13
• Rockville Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday, starting May 17
• Gaithersburg Book Festival: May 17, Bohrer Park (Don’t miss this!)
• Rockville’s 37th Hometown Holidays Music Fest

Before I Go… There is much more to share, including non-legislative highlights, such as:

Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan District 17 (Gaithersburg & Rockville) Vice Chair, Education, Energy, Environment (& Elections!) Committee www.CherylKagan.org PS: I hope you’ll check out and subscribe to my podcast, “Kibbitzing with Kagan“. Among my featured guests have been legislators, nonprofit leaders, advocates, Scrabble players, singer/songwriters, and many more! PPS: We’ll send the rest of my post-session report next week!