The Department of Legislative Services’ (abbreviated) annual synopsis of the General Assembly’s time in Annapolis provides an update on the budget, education, transportation, and health issues addressed in laws that passed – and didn’t pass – in the 2020 Session.

Traditionally, after the conclusion of the annual legislative session, the Department of Legislative Services would produce what has become known as the 90 Day Report. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due to precautionary social distancing measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Although not as comprehensive as the 90 Day Report, this summary document provides an overview of the fiscal 2021 budget as well as major issues addressed by the General Assembly in the 2020 session.

The areas include, among others (links will take the reader to the start of each section, though there are other the references throughout the document):

Budget/Fiscal (includes the outlook for future budgets)

Selected Budgetary Initiatives and Enhancements (includes Maryland’s response to the coronavirus pandemic)

State Aid to Local Governments (includes county-by-county data on aid for public schools, community colleges, public safety, local health departments, etc.)

Taxes (includes property taxes, income taxes, etc.)

Business and Economic Issues (includes updates on minimum wage and Opportunity Zones)

Education (includes the [Kirwan] Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, school construction, etc.)

Health and Human Services (includes opioids and cannabis topics)

Natural Resources, Environment, and Agriculture

The department will publish a more comprehensive summary report of legislation passed during the 2020 session in the near future.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.