End of Session 2022

We have wrapped up a busy week in Annapolis. This week the House of Delegates began holding Monday evening Sessions again. That puts us back into the full regular meeting schedule. We have bout 4 ½ weeks left of the 2022 Session

Yesterday the Joint Committee for Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) rescinded the statewide emergency regulation that mandated students to wear masks in the school setting. This is wonderful news and a long time coming. Calvert and St. Mary’s County Schools will be lifting mask mandates next week.

Marijuana Legislation

With the return to voting session, we are beginning to see some concerning bills. Both HB01 and HB0837, sponsored by Delegate Clippinger, passed the House of Delegates this week.

We are finally getting to a place in the 2022 Legislative Session where meetings are becoming more regular and decisions are being made. This week marked the return to in-person proceedings in the House of Delegates and in-person hearings in the Senate. House Committees and Subcommittees have met virtually. However until this week, the full House had not met to discuss any bills, aside from redistricting. This week felt a bit more normal

Last week really felt much more like regular Session.  We had intense debates on the House Floor, caucus meetings to discuss bills of concern and even one day with multiple sessions.  It was nice to have that normalcy back again. 

It was a full week in the State House.  We met for House Floor Sessions for the first time since Opening Day.  The agenda consisted of voting on some bills that had passed in the House last year but stalled in the Senate due to the shortened Legislative Session and of course, the veto overrides. 

One of the most frequently talked about issues today is the COVID-19 vaccine.  The number of vaccines distributed to the state has been less than anticipated and many in the public are scrambling to get an appointment.

Governor Hogan issued an Executive Order closing nonessential businesses today at 5 p.m.  Many of you may have questions as to what that means for you.  To answer those questions, below is a list with plain language and resource links that I hope you'll find helpful.  

Helpful links: 

Health: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/

Unemployment questions: 

https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/uicovidfaqs.shtml

Business resources: https://commerce.maryland.gov/

Additional resources including small business assistance announced today and the SBA Loans can be found:

https://govstatus.egov.com/md-coronavirus-business and

https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-fund-programs

Sincerely,

Delegate Jerry Clark

This past week we celebrated Read Across America. Clifford the Big Red Dog visited the state house and received children's books donated to local elementary schools. This variety of literature will be beneficial to students’ reading and writing achievement, especially in primary grade levels.