Legislative Session 2024
Two bills before the Maryland General Assembly during this Legislative Session need support from our Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay Members. The Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act (SB0915 and HB0979) seeks to: Alter the regulatory approach for controlling invasive plant species in the State, and require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a list of prohibited invasive plants by regulation in a certain manner on or before October 1, 2024
The first part of the Legislative process is to hold hearings in the appropriate committee. If the bills are not passed by the appropriate committee, the General Assembly will not get the chance to vote for them and therefore the bill fails. It is important to contact committee members before those hearings asking for their support of the bills.
The Committee hearing the Senate bill is the Education, Energy and Environment Committee, which will take place on March 5th at 1:00 PM (subject to change). Go to: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Index/senate for names of Committee members and links to emails.
The Committee hearing the House of Delegates bill is the Environment and Transportation Committee. The hearing is scheduled for February 28th at 1:00 PM (subject to change). Go to: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Index/house for names of Committee members and links to emails.
The Maryland General Assembly website allows for bill tracking. Go to : https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/ and click on MyMGA to register and track bills.
