By DONNA BALANCIA
Maryland Governor Wes Moore this week said he will veto 23 bills, including those that would create a commission for reparations, as well as bills related to climate, environmental and cybersecurity issues.
Moore announced Friday that he will veto SB 587 a bill that establishes the Maryland Reparations Commission to study and make recommendations relating to appropriate benefits to be made to individuals whose ancestors were enslaved in Maryland or were impacted by certain inequitable government policies. The bill also requires the Commission to submit a preliminary report by January 1, 2027, and a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2027.
A greenhouse gases impact study was expected to get the red light. Moore said he would veto SB 149, which was cross-filed with HB0128 and calls for the Comptroller, in coordination with the Department of the Environment and the Department of Commerce, to conduct a study to assess the total cost of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland and report certain findings to certain committees on or before December 1, 2026. The bill would require the study of assessed cost of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland based on the findings of a certain study. The bill would authorize the Comptroller to hire a consultant to conduct the study and require the report to include certain information and calculations.
Cybersecurity in healthcare was also expected to be vetoed. Moore said he would veto SB0691, which would establish the Healthcare Ecosystem Stakeholder Cybersecurity Workgroup to develop strategies to prevent cybersecurity disruptions to the healthcare ecosystem, ensure the continuous delivery of essential healthcare ecosystem services, and enhance recovery efforts of the healthcare ecosystem following a cybersecurity incident. It would also requirie the Workgroup to submit an interim report by January 1, 2026, and a final report of its findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026.
A complete list of bills Moore said he would veto:
SB980: Natural Resources – Maryland Heritage Areas Authority – Funding and Grants
HB56/SB177: Local Food Purchasing
HB0328: State Lottery – Instant Ticket Lottery Machines – Veterans’ and Fraternal Organizations
HB0482: Occupational Licensing and Certification – Criminal History – Predetermination Review Process
HB1116: Public Safety – State Clearinghouse for Missing Persons
SB655: AI Evidence Pilot
SB149/HB128: “RENEW Study” Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation – Total Assessed Cost of Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Study and Reports
SB691/HB333: Healthcare Ecosystem Cyber Work Group
SB909/HB1037: Energy Resource Adequacy Planning Act
Operating Funds: Fund Study by Comptroller Required by SB149
Operating Funds: MSDE Three Positions to Assist LEAs with Cybersecurity
HB384/SB157: Disability Service Animal Program
SB121: Vehicle Laws – Noise Abatement Monitoring Systems Pilot Program – Inspection and Extension
SB168: Confined Aquatic Disposal Cells – Construction – Moratorium
SB0227: Workers’ Compensation – Payment From Uninsured Employer’ Fund – Revisions
HB193/SB219: Uninsured Employers’ Fund – Assessments and Special Monitor
SB0972: Anne Arundel County – Board of License Commissioners – Alterations
SB503/HB481: Washington County – Board of License Commissioners – Membership
HB1316: Primary and Secondary Education – Youth-Centric Technology and Social Media Resource Guide
SB116/HB270: Data Center Impact Study
SB0455: Security Guard Agencies – Special Police Officers – Application for Appointment
HB628: Highways – Sidewalks and Bicycle Pathways – Construction and Reconstruction
SB587: State Government – Maryland Reparations Commission
For details on each bill go to the Maryland General Assembly website.
The feature photo is courtesy of Washington Area Spark publication. Go here to read more.