Bills to look out for as the Maryland General Assembly begins its 2025 legislative session

BALTIMORE -- The Maryland General Assembly began its 2025 legislative session on Wednesday afternoon as the state faces a $2.7 billion budget deficit.

Gov. Wes Moore's aggressive approach includes cutting $2 billion in spending. His focus was on government efficiency and bringing in new revenue streams to Maryland.

Republicans remain focused on tightening the belt on unfunded mandates and healthcare, including short-term fixes, such as decreasing Medicaid spending.

Gov. Moore will present his budget Jan. 15. The state is legally required to pass a balanced budget. The legislature will likely vote on it on the 83rd day of the session, which is April 1.

Uncertainty with a new administration in White House

The fiscal priorities come at a time of uncertainty for the Democrat-controlled state. 

The Trump Administration will assume the White House on January 20 with federal program cuts looming. The state is not sure how much funding it will receive for major infrastructure and energy projects. 

Budget deficit concerns

The state's budget was among the first topics addressed.

"As we begin this session, I know there's been a lot of talk about our financial limitations and there should be," Speaker of the House of Delegates Adrienne Jones said in her opening remarks.

Democrats have called this a difficult year where choices and prioritizations need to be made. Gov. Moore says he inherited this deficit but is committed to maintaining services that will optimize spending.

"I inherited a structural deficit when I became the governor because the state was both spending at a clip of what that was not sustainable, and we were growing at a clip that was embarrassing," Gov. Moore said.

Education, safety, economic growth

Gov. Moore didn't go into specifics about what his budget proposal will include, but he says the state needs to continue spending on public education and safety, as well as incentivize businesses and industries to settle in Maryland. 

Moore's focus remains on economic growth and how the state can not only rely on federal jobs but also private sector. The governor suggested investing in bringing more cyber business to Maryland, as the state already hosts Fort Meade and the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as other defense contractors.

Efficient government

Government efficiency is also being called into question. When addressing the press, Gov. Moore spent most of his time discussing how departments will need to go line by line to reduce wastefulness.

"I do believe it starts with us, right? We as a government have got to make sure that we are being more efficient," Gov. Moore said.

He added departments were not given a specific percentage or dollar amount to cut, rather they should go line by line reducing inefficiencies.

Republicans agree saying costs should not be passed on to the taxpayer before the government optimizes its own spending.

"We believe that the Maryland government, much like families, should live within their means, and that raising taxes is certainly not an option," Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey said.

Tax increases

On the topic of tax hikes, Gov. Moore said everything is on the table right now, but his bar is set high.

Democratic leadership in the state house says it hopes to avoid a tax increase for working class families.

"The No. 1 priority will be to avoid increasing costs for working Maryland families," Maryland Sen. President Bill Ferguson said. "No. 2 is that we're going to ask those who have been successful over these last few years to contribute more."

Medicaid and healthcare

Medicaid spending and healthcare is another big-ticket item. Sen. Ferguson says nearly $1 billion of the deficit is because of healthcare spending coverages.

"I do not think that we're going to take a whole scale approach of throwing people off of Medicaid or healthcare. That will not be the way that we approach this," Sen. Ferguson said.

"I think there's some opportunities to get individuals that are on Medicaid off of that and into the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange," Sen. Stephen Hershey said.

Red Line plans

Gov. Moore was questioned on the future of the Red Line as a new administration prepares to take office in the White House. He said he is not venturing away from the plans already drawn up for the Red Line, which includes a light rail system, but he noted these major infrastructure projects often require significant federal dollars.

This project remains a priority for the administration, however. Gov. Moore continued to commit to it saying there needs to be an east to west connection in Baltimore City, calling it unfair for families who rely on public transport.

Focus on education

The Moore administration says it remains committed to Maryland's Blueprint, a sweeping education spending plan to improve public schools. 

Sen. Ferguson said it is funded for a few more years, but adjustments can and should be made to proposals like this. 

Gov. Moore says it is his priorities to have "world-class" education in Maryland.  

Controversial Piedmont Reliability Project proposal

During the 2025 session, Maryland leaders will discuss the Piedmont Reliability Project, a controversial proposal that would make way for a high-voltage transmission line that would go through parts of Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties.

New Jersey-based company PSED Renewable Transmission is seeking approval to begin construction on the 500,000-volt powerlines. 

The proposal is being reviewed in a process that includes public hearings and public comments. 

A company spokesperson said the project is essential to support Maryland's growing electric needs as the current system is overloaded. 

Maryland residents and leaders have raised concerns about the project's potential impacts on the environment and other properties. Some residents said they were concerned that the powerlines would cut through family-owned farms. 

In mid-November, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) shared a report that said the project could threaten Maryland's habitats and water quality. According to the report, the powerlines would cut through 514 acres of protected area, including a portion of Gunpowder Falls State Park along with 377 acres of forest. 

Gov. Wes Moore has also expressed his concerns about the planning process, saying, "The single most important factor remains wholly unclear: the project's comprehensive benefit to Marylanders."

The governor said he would ask company leaders to meet and discuss the proposal and how it has been handled. It is unclear if that meeting has taken place yet. 

Cellphone use in Maryland schools

On Tuesday, Maryland Delegate Adrian Boafo (D-23) said he is sponsoring legislation that would prevent students from using their cell phones while in school.

"Experience and data have shown that it is simply becoming impossible to offer such personal enrichment when students are glued to their phones all day," Del. Boafo said.

Student phone use has been a hot topic in Maryland as of late, especially after an executive order in Virginia established a statewide ban on Jan. 1, 2025, requiring students to turn their phones off and keep them stored all day - including during lunch.

Locally, the Howard County School Board is considering if they should ban cellphones in district schools, though as of mid-November they were still gathering feedback from parents, students and teachers.

Boafo's Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act would take effect during the 2026-27 school year and would prohibit phone use during class periods with exceptions for educational purposes, student health and emergencies.

"Eight states have adopted policies that either ban or significantly restrict the use of cellphones in the classroom," Del. Boafo said in a statement. "Ten more states are moving in that same direction through policy recommendations or pilot programs, while 11 states are currently considering cellphone ban legislation." 

Beer and wine sales in grocery stores

According to WJZ's media partner The Baltimore Banner, Gov. Moore is reconsidering his push to sell alcohol in grocery stores. He told The Banner it was an unpopular policy that many legislators didn't support.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott's budget priorities

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott shared a list of his administration's legislative priorities, saying the 2025 session "will be crucial to building on the progress the City of Baltimore made" during his term.

"This year's focus in the General Assembly will undoubtedly be impacted by the sizeable budget deficit facing the state, but I know that when we work together, we can accomplish our goals and still deliver for the residents of Baltimore," Mayor Scott said.

According to his list, the mayor plans to prioritize several local and statewide bills, including one that would require the state to set aside 2% of the existing 6% sales tax generated in Baltimore City as part of a strategy to reduce vacant housing.

Half of the estimated $142 million would fund a portion of the strategy and the other half would be used for property tax rebates of about $1,000 for each homeowner in the city.

Another local bill on the mayor's list would remove a June 30, 2026, expiration date for the speed camera program on I-83 and allow the city to relocate the cameras. The mayor also plans to push a bill that would establish an authority to oversee the Baltimore Convention Center.

According to the list, Mayor Scott will also prioritize a statewide bill that would increase the maximum civil penalty from $1,000 to $10,000. The city would use this to increase the penalty for illegal dumping.

Another statewide bill on the list would allow six overdose prevention centers to be established in Maryland as Baltimore City has grappled with the issue.

Mayor Scott's administration also supports the following local bills:

• Extension of Highway User Revenue Increased Share: This would make a State Highway User Revenue increase permanent after Fiscal Year (FY) 2027.
• Modernization of Language for Baltimore City's Syringe Services Program: This would update a 30-year-old statute that established the city's first syringe services program.
• Expansion of Access to Orioles 50/50 Raffle
• Baltimore City - Stop Sign Monitoring Systems — Authorization
• Administration Bill — Baltimore City — Assault of Special Enforcement Officers — Penalties
• Immobilization and Towing of Noncompliant Out-of-State Vehicles
• Administration Bill — Motor Vehicle Administration Records — Access to Digital Photographic Images and Signatures — Baltimore City Agencies