The Tech Council of Maryland
The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) is a non-profit membership organization with more than 500 high tech and biotech companies, government laboratories, higher education institutions and business support firms that collectively form Maryland's tech and biotech community. Our members employ more than 200,000 people in Maryland and the region. TCM and its divisions, MdTech and MdBio, are committed to providing advocacy in Annapolis on behalf of the region’s tech and biotech business sectors.

TCM 2009 Policy Platform Top Priorities
- Support the recommendations of the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board and the Maryland Bio 2020 Initiative, in particular doubling the funding for the Biotech Tax Credit and creating a strong Maryland Biotechnology Center one-stop shop.

- Oppose any new taxes on Maryland’s high-tech industries including a computer services sales tax.

- Authorize the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System to allow a portion of its investments to be made in local tech and biotech opportunities.

- Oppose implementing corporate tax changes without careful study of their effects on Maryland’s tech and biotech industries.

- Develop long-term funding solutions for Maryland’s transportation infrastructure and higher education system.

To download the complete 2009 TCM Policy Platform, click here.

TCM Government Relations Committee
The Government Relations Committee, chaired by Jerry Parrott of Human Genome Sciences, provides guidance and leadership to TCM’s advocacy efforts during the legislative session and throughout the year. If you have any questions about TCM’s advocacy efforts or wish to join the Government Relations Committee, please contact Brian Levine, Senior Director of Government Relations, at 240-243-4044 or blevine@techcouncilmd.com.

Contact Your Elected Representatives
Even in between legislative sessions, it is important for members of TCM to contact their legislators in Annapolis. They want to hear from you about what is important to your business. To find out who your elected officials are, just type your home or work address in this link - http://mdelect.net/electedofficials. If you need any assistance, please contact Brian Levine.

Key 2009 Session Dates
January 14 – General Assembly convenes

January 27 – House and Senate bill request guarantee date

January 29 – Governor’s State of the State Address

February 6 – Senate bill introduction date (Senate bills introduced after this date referred to the Senate Rules Committee)

February 13 – House bill introduction date (House bills introduced after this date referred to the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee)

March 9 – Final date for introduction of bills without suspension of Rules

March 24 – Committee Reporting Courtesy Date (each Chamber’s committees to report their own bills by this date)

March 30 – Opposite Chamber Bill Crossover Date (each Chamber to send to other Chamber those bills it intends to pass favorably)

April 6 – Budget bill must be passed by both Chambers

2009 Legislative Session Recap
The Tech Council of Maryland worked hard again this year in Annapolis to represent the interests of its tech and biotech members. With the 2009 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned as of midnight on April 13, it is time to reflect on what was accomplished this year.

Budget Issues Loomed Large
Once again, the budget was the overriding issue during the 2009 session. With Maryland in the grips of a recession, tax collections are way down and Maryland’s budget deficit grew significantly. Since Maryland is required to balance the budget every year, policymakers made steep cuts to existing programs. Taxes were hardly discussed after the 2007 special session raised the sales tax, corporate tax and other taxes and fees. In the end, the Governor and legislators made cuts virtually across the board to balance the budget, but more fiscal pain lies ahead. Next year’s session will likely share the same story.

Biotech Tax Credit Victories
One of TCM’s top priorities was achieved – the full $6 million of funding requested by the Governor for the Maryland Biotech Tax Credit. TCM worked very hard to ensure that this valuable incentive program for early-stage biotech companies was not cut. While it was recommended for a $2 million cut in the House budget, conferees eventually restored the funding to $6 million for FY2010.

This is a major victory for Maryland’s biotech community at large. TCM owes a large part of this victory to its members, who were asked to contact legislative leaders to express support for this program. Your voices were heard loud and clear and these efforts clearly made a difference. Full funding of this program shows that biotech economic development is a priority for Maryland’s policymakers.

All the Biotech Tax Credit news was not budget-related. Legislation to ensure the smooth, uninterrupted operation of the Biotech Tax Credit (SB 800/HB 493) was passed and will be signed by the Governor shortly. The bill, which was strongly supported by TCM, ensures the uninterrupted operation of the program going forward, an issue that was in doubt before the session.

No New Taxes on Innovation
Building on TCM’s successful effort last year to repeal the $1.1 billion Computer Services Sales Tax, no new taxes directly harming Maryland’s innovative companies was introduced or even discussed during this year’s session. Again, TCM’s efforts and that of our members have made a huge difference in how policymakers in Annapolis view the tech and biotech industries.

New Tech and Biotech Committee Created
Legislation, which was supported by TCM, will create the Joint Technology and Biotechnology Committee passed (HB 438). This newly formed legislative committee will work to broaden the support, knowledge and awareness of tech and biotech and examine and work on other tech- or biotech-related issues. This bill continues the ascension of tech and biotech as a policy focus with members of the Maryland General Assembly.

New Nanobiotechnology Incentive Passed
Legislation creating public-private partnerships that help the emerging nanobiotechnology industry passed (HB 1124). This bill requires TEDCO to foster public-private partnerships to carry out the purpose of the existing Coordinating Emerging Nanobiotechnology Research in Maryland Program, which supports and promotes advanced research in nanobiotechnology in Maryland. TCM supported this legislation.

Legislators Continue To Increase Tech and Biotech Focus
While unsuccessful, there was more legislation this year that had a tech and biotech focus than in the past, clearly illustrating an increased policy focus in Annapolis. We saw bills that would have required a portion of stem cell grant monies go to privately-held biotech instead of exclusively to research institutions. There was also an unsuccessful bill that sought to require a portion of the pension fund be invested in tech and biotech, which is one of TCM’s long-term priorities. This trend shows that legislators in Annapolis are increasingly aware that tech and biotech are important to Maryland’s economy.

Defeated Legislation Also Sent a Strong Message
TCM helped defeat a myriad of bills harmful to Maryland’s tech and biotech industries and this opposition sent a strong message to legislators in Annapolis. In fact, of the 23 bills opposed by TCM during the 2009 session, we are pleased to say that all 23 were defeated. These victories send a strong message.

A number of bills sought to harm the environment for larger biotech and pharmaceutical companies. There were also bills introduced to end construction of the ICC and these were soundly defeated. TCM helped defeat bills that sought to change Maryland’s corporate tax structure by instituting combined reporting and another that made business tax credit incentives virtually worthless. Finally, TCM helped defeat a bill that would have required out of state vendors to collect certain taxes from online sales, which would have probably led to online advertisers pulling their ads from Maryland-based websites.

TCM FY2010 Budget Priorities
The following FY2010 budget items were top priorities for TCM during the 2009 session. Each budget below shows the item, TCM’s position, the requested budget amount and the final outcome. To view a copy of the complete FY2010 General Fund budget, see HB 100. To see the complete FY2010 Capital budget, see HB 102.

Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) – TCM supported fully funding DBED’s FY2010 budget request of $113 million. Some important programs in DBED’s budget include the Biotech Tax Credit, the Maryland Biotechnology Center, the Nanobiotechnology Initiative Fund and the Enterprise and Challenge Investment Programs. DBED’s funding was cut by several million dollars due to Maryland’s budget shortfall.

Biotech Tax Credit – TCM supported fully funding the FY2010 $6 million budget request for the Biotechnology Investment Tax Credit Reserve Fund, which is administered by DBED. This was funded at $6 million.

Enterprise and Challenge Investment Programs – TCM supported fully funding the FY2010 $2 million budget request for the Enterprise and Challenge Investment Funds, which are administered by DBED. This was funded at $2 million.

Nanobiotechnology Initiative Fund – TCM supported fully funding the FY2010 $1.6 million budget request for the Nanobiotechnology Initiative Fund. This was funded at $500,000.

Maryland Biotechnology Center – TCM supported fully funding the FY2010 $5.2 million budget for the Maryland Biotechnology Center in DBED. This was funded at $4.7 million, but the $500,000 cut was only from the Nanobiotechnology Initiative Fund, which is in the Maryland Biotechnology Center’s budget.

Stem Cell Research Fund – TCM supported fully funding the FY2010 $18.4 million budget request for stem cell research funding, which is administered by TEDCO. This was funded at $15.4 million.

Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) – TCM supported fully funding TEDCO’s $22 million FY2010 budget request. TEDCO’s funding was cut by $3 million, but the cut was exclusively from the Stem Cell Research Fund, which is in TEDCO’s budget.

University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) – TCM supported fully funding UMBI’s FY2010 $47.1 million budget request. This was funded at $47.1 million.

Germantown Bioscience Education Center – TCM supported fully funding the FY2010 $32.2 million Capital budget request for the Germantown Bioscience Center. This was funded at $16,081,500.

East Baltimore Biotechnology Park – TCM supported fully funding the FY2010 $5 million Capital budget request for the East Baltimore Biotechnology Park. This was funded at $5 million.

Legislation of Interest
The following is legislation of interest to TCM and its members introduced during Maryland’s 2009 legislative session. The legislation is organized by topic and then by bill number. Each bill has a title, number, link to the General Assembly’s website for more information, sponsor, summary, status and TCM’s position. Each bill now shows its final status.

Biotechnology Legislation
Genetic Privacy – Individual’s Genetic Information – Personal Property Rights
(SB 54 / HB 12)
Sponsor: Senator Forehand / Delegate Manno
Summary: Would have prohibited a person from knowingly collecting, analyzing or retaining a DNA sample from an individual, performing a DNA analysis or retaining or disclosing the results of a DNA analysis without written informed consent.
Final Status: SB 54 reported unfavorable and withdrawn. HB 12 reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Health Insurance – Use of Prescription Information (SB 130)
Sponsor: Senator Forehand
Summary: Would have provided that insurers, nonprofit health service plans and HMOs may only exhibit, discuss or reveal any part of a prescription to: (1) the patient; (2) the prescriber; (3) a licensed pharmacist serving the patient; or (4) a person authorized by law to receive the information.
Final Status: Reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers – Disclosures of Payments to Physicians (SB 196)
Sponsor: Senator Kelley
Summary: Would have required pharmaceutical manufacturers to disclose to the Maryland Health Care Commission payments made to physicians. Requires the Health Care Commission to publish payment information.
Final Status: Reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Maryland False Health Claims Act of 2009
(SB 272 / HB 304)
Sponsor: Governor / Governor
Summary: Would have prohibited actions constituting false claims against a State health plan or a State health program. Would have authorized the State to file a civil action against a person who makes a false claim against a State health plan or a State health program.
Final Status: SB 272 did not pass. HB 304 did not pass.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Prescription Confidentiality Act
(SB 417 / HB 1155)
Sponsor: Senator Pugh / Delegate Montgomery
Summary: Would have prohibited patient-identifiable or prescriber-identifiable information from being licensed, transferred, used or sold for any commercial purpose.
Final Status: SB 417 did not pass. HB 1155 reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Prescription Drugs - Evidence-Based Prescriber Education and Outreach Program
(SB 708 / HB 574)
Sponsor: Senator Pugh / Delegate Hubbard
Summary: Would have established an Evidence-Based Prescriber Education and Outreach Program in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Final Status: SB 708 did not pass. HB 574 did not pass.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Domestic Violence – Cruelty Toward a Pet or Service Animal (SB 736 / HB 901)
Sponsor: Senator Raskin / Delegate McComas
Summary: Would have authorized a District Court Commissioner to order a respondent to remain away from, refrain from cruelty or aggravated cruelty toward or give to a specified person a pet or service animal. This bill could have had unintended consequences for biomedical research companies.
Final Status: SB 736 did not pass. HB 901 did not pass.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit
(SB 800 / HB 493)
Sponsor: Senator King / Delegate Doory
Summary: Specifies that the Biotech Tax Credit may be claimed for the taxable year in which an investment is made. Clarifies that the definition of an investor includes an individual. Changes the time period from when the credit can be recaptured to two years from the year the credit is claimed.
Final Status: SB 800 Return Passed. Awaiting Governor’s signature. HB 493 Return Passed. Awaiting Governor’s signature.
TCM Position: Supported.

Community Environmental Protection Act
(SB 824 / HB 1053)
Sponsor: Senator Frosh / Delegate McIntosh
Summary: Would have provided persons and associations environmental standing. Would have provided for judicial review of final administrative decisions. Would have provided persons standing to participate in administrative appeal proceedings and bring certain civil actions.
Final Status: SB 824 reported unfavorable and withdrawn. HB 1053 reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Maryland False Claims Act (SB 830)
Sponsor: Senator Lenett
Summary: Would have prohibited actions constituting false claims against a State health plan or a State health program.
Final Status: Reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Economic Development – Maryland Stem Cell Research Act – Revisions (SB 948 / HB 1159)
Sponsor: Senator Forehand / Delegate Feldman
Summary: Would have changed the name of the Stem Cell Research Commission to the Stem Cell and Biotechnologies Commission. Would have changed the primary purpose of the Fund to support innovative biotech R&D that has the potential to create job growth, including manufacturing jobs. Would have required that at least one-third of grants or loans be awarded to for-profit companies headquartered in Maryland. Would have required that in selecting recipients from the nonprofit sector, priority be given to applicants that have co-development partnerships with Maryland for-profit companies. Would have required that the Commission give awards in a manner that gives due consideration to the proprietary nature and long-term commercial potential of each proposal.
Final Status: SB 948 did not pass. HB 1159 did not pass.
TCM Position: Supported

Montgomery County – Income Tax – Biotechnology Investment Credit MC 921-09
(HB 832)
Sponsor: Montgomery County Delegation
Summary: Would have authorized Montgomery County to allow an individual to claim a credit against the county income tax for investments in qualified Maryland biotechnology companies located in Montgomery County. This program would have been very similar to the statewide Biotech Tax Credit, but at the county level.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Supported.

Maryland False Claims Act (HB 915)
Sponsor: Delegate Smigiel
Summary: Would have prohibited actions constituting false claims against a State health plan or a State health program.
Final Status: Reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Opposed

Coordinating Emerging Nanobiotechnology Research Program in Maryland – Public-Private Partnerships (HB 1124)
Sponsor: Delegate Lee
Summary: Requires TEDCO to foster public-private partnerships as feasible to carry out the purpose of the Coordinating Emerging Nanobiotechnology Research in Maryland Program. The purpose of this existing program is to: (1) support and promote advanced research in nanobiotechnology in Maryland; (2) support nanobiotechnology research activities at postsecondary education institutions; and (3) establish Maryland as a key location for nanobiotechnology research and industry.
Final Status: Signed by Governor – Chapter 160.
TCM Position: Supported.

Income Tax Credit – Nanobiotechnology Investment Incentives (HB 1125)
Sponsor: Delegate Lee
Summary: Would have created the Maryland Nanobiotechnology Investment Tax Credit Reserve Fund. Would have allowed qualified investors a credit against the State income tax for investments in nanobiotechnology companies. Would have authorized the tax credit allowed in an initial tax credit certificate is 50% of the investment, not to exceed $250,000. This program would have been virtually identical to the existing Biotech Tax Credit.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Supported in Concept.

Criminal Law – Mistreated Animals – Seizure Requirements and Procedures (HB 1299)
Sponsor: Delegate Shank
Summary: Would have authorized the seizure and removal of an animal if there is probable cause to believe the animal is being mistreated. This bill could have had unintended consequences for biomedical research companies.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Baltimore County – Income Tax – Biotechnology Investment Credit (HB 1328)
Sponsor: Delegate Cardin
Summary: Would have authorized Baltimore County to allow an individual to claim a credit against the county income tax for investments in qualified Maryland biotechnology companies in Baltimore County. This program would be very similar to the statewide Biotech Tax Credit, but at the county level.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Supported.

Health – Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Advertising and Gifts to Health Care Providers – Reports (HB 1477)
Sponsor: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Summary: Would have required pharmaceutical manufacturers to report to the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene on the costs of marketing and advertising prescription drugs in the State. Would have required pharmaceutical manufacturers to report to the Secretary on gifts and other economic benefits provided to health care providers.
Final Status: Reported unfavorable and withdrawn.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Technology Legislation
State Retirement and Pension System - Investments - Qualified Technology or Bioscience Businesses (SB 1018)
Sponsor: Senator Garagiola
Summary: Would have required the Board of Trustees of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System to invest the greater of 0.5% of the assets or $20,000,000 in qualified technology or biosciences businesses. Defined “qualified technology or bioscience business” as headquartered in Maryland and intends to remain in Maryland after receipt of the investment or is headquartered in another state and intends to relocate to Maryland. A qualified company would have had to have less than 100 employees and employ at least 80% of its employees in Maryland or pay at least 80% of its payroll to employees in Maryland. A qualified company would have had to be primarily engaged in: (1) manufacturing, processing or assembling technology or bioscience products; (2) conducting technological or bioscience research and development; or (3) providing technology or bioscience–related services; and (4) is not primarily engaged in retail sales, real estate development, insurance, banking or lending or the provision of professional services provided by accountants, attorneys, or physicians.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Supported.

Telecommunications – Basic and Competitive Services – Agreement (SB 1026 / HB 1494)
Sponsor: Senator Middleton / Delegate Davis
Summary: Would have required new residential telephone services to be classified as competitive services. Would have required Verizon to develop a service quality program subject to approval of the Public Service Commission.
Final Status: SB 1026 did not pass. HB 1494 did not pass.
TCM Position: Supported.

Sales and Use Tax – Online Sales Presumption
(SB 1071)
Sponsor: Senator Madaleno
Summary: Would have provided that for purposes of the definition of "engage in the business of an out-of-state vendor" under the sales and use tax law a seller shall be presumed under specified circumstances to have an agent, canvasser, representative, salesman, or solicitor operating in Maryland for the purpose of selling or taking orders.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee – Membership and Duties (HB 438)
Sponsor: Delegate Feldman
Summary: Codifies and renames the Joint Technology Oversight Committee to be the Joint Technology and Biotechnology Committee. Amended language states that the Joint Committee would work to broaden the support, knowledge and awareness of technology and biotechnology to benefit the people of Maryland and examine and evaluate additional information technology- or biotechnology-related issues as designated by the co-chairs of the Joint Committee.
Final Status: Signed by Governor – Chapter 140.
TCM Position: Supported.

Business and Economic Development – Grants for Nanotechnology (HB 1086)
Sponsor: Delegate Lee
Summary: Would have made nanotechnology enterprises eligible for assistance from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund, which is administered by DBED. Would have added to the purpose of the Existing Coordinating Emerging Nanobiotechnology Research in Maryland program to support nanotechnology as well as nanobiotechnology.
Final Status: Reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Supported.

Information Technology – Public-Private Deployment Initiative (HB 1121)
Sponsor: Delegates Hucker and Feldman
Summary: Would have required the Department of Information Technology to enlist a public-private partnership for fostering deployment of high-speed internet service and other telecommunications and information technology services and implement a comprehensive statewide high-speed internet deployment and adoption. Would have required the Initiative to provide for the creation of a statewide inventory of high-speed internet service and relevant telecommunications and information technology services. Would have provided that the Initiative track statewide residential and commercial adoption of high-speed internet, computers and information technology and identify barriers to adoption of these technologies.
Final Status: Reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Monitored

Communications Services – Taxation and Regulation (HB 1182)
Sponsor: Delegate Hixson
Summary: Would have repealed the public service company franchise tax as to persons engaged in a telephone business. Would have imposed the sales and use tax on the sale of communications services. Would have repealed the authority of local governments to enter into or renew agreements that include a cable franchise fee. Would have provided for the collection and distribution of fees owed to a local government under a cable franchise agreement. Would have authorized the Public Service Commission to enter into statewide cable franchise agreements on or after January 1, 2010.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Clean and Green Technology Legislation
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation – Green Jobs Workforce Training Program
(SB 856 / HB 814)
Sponsor: Senator Pugh / Delegate Hucker
Summary: Would have established the Green Jobs Workforce Training Program administered by the Maryland Energy Administration.
Final Status: SB 856 reported unfavorable. HB 814 reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Monitored

Wind Energy – Tax Incentives (SB 979 / HB 699)
Sponsor: Senator Mooney / Delegate Hecht
Summary: Would have exempted from the sales and use tax the sale of wind energy equipment.
Final Status: SB 979 did not pass. HB 699 did not pass. 19.
TCM Position: Monitored

Alternative Energy Tax Incentive Act of 2009
(HB 1171)
Sponsor: Delegate Bartlett
Summary: Exempts from the sales and use tax the sale of wind energy equipment used for residential purposes, solar thermal electric energy, wind energy equipment and methane digesters.
Final Status: Return Passed. Awaiting Governor’s signature.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Higher Education
Tuition Cap and College Opportunity Act of 2009 (SB 822)
Sponsor: Senator Rosapepe
Summary: Would have required the State to provide General Fund support for the University System of Maryland and Morgan State University to achieve 100% of the Maryland Higher Education Commission funding guidelines by 2020.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Higher Education Funding Model for Maryland Act of 2009 (SB 861 / HB 789)
Sponsor: Senator Currie / Delegate Bohanan
Summary: Would have set funding, performance and financial aid goals for Maryland higher education institutions.
Final Status: SB 861 did not pass. HB 789 did not pass.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Transportation Legislation
Tax Increment Financing and Special Taxing Districts – Transit-Oriented Development
(SB 274 / HB 300)
Sponsor: Governor / Governor
Summary: Authorizes political subdivisions to finance the costs of public improvements in or supporting transit-oriented developments through tax increment financing and special taxing districts.
Final Status: SB 274 Passed Enrolled. Awaiting Governor’s signature. HB 300 Passed Enrolled. Awaiting Governor’s signature.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Tax General – Motor Fuel Tax – Sales and Use Tax (SB 722)
Sponsor: Senator Madaleno
Summary: Would have increased the motor fuel tax rate from 23.5 cents per gallon to 28.5 cents.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Transportation – Intercounty Connector – Elimination of Funding (SB 753 / HB 27)
Sponsor: Senator Pipkin / Delegate Frush
Summary: Would have prohibited the State Department of Transportation and the Maryland Transportation Authority from financing the Intercounty Connector.
Final Status: SB 753 did not pass. HB 27 reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Maryland Transportation Infrastructure Funding Task Force (SB 853)
Sponsor: Senator Garagiola
Summary: Would have established a Maryland Transportation Infrastructure Funding Task Force to review and evaluate the current funding by the State for the Maryland Transportation Trust Fund and make recommendations for: (1) sustainable, long-term revenue sources and options for funding; (2) public/private partnerships; (3) economic development; and (4) transit, highway and bridge maintenance.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Supported.

Transportation Trust Fund Protection Act
(SB 894 / HB 140)
Sponsor: Senator Mooney / Delegate Krebs
Summary: Would have prohibited the most transfers and diversions from the Transportation Trust Fund.
Final Status: SB 894 did not pass. HB 140 reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Motor Fuel Tax - Indexing (HB 423)
Sponsor: Delegate Bronrott
Summary: Would have provided for increases in the motor fuel tax rates over time based on increases to the construction cost index, which is a weighted aggregate index of the prices of constant quantities of steel, cement, lumber and common labor.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Monitored

Motor Fuel Tax - Increase (HB 746)
Sponsor: Delegate Barkley
Summary: Would have increased the motor fuel tax rate from 23.5 cents per gallon to 33.5 cents.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Motor Fuel Tax - Adjustments (HB 747)
Sponsor: Delegate Barkley
Summary: Would have correlated the motor fuel tax with the construction cost index, an index published monthly by the Engineering News-Record that is a weighted aggregate index of the prices of constant quantities of structural steel, Portland cement, lumber, and common labor.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Motor Fuel Tax - Rate (HB 1214)
Sponsor: Delegate Hixson
Summary: Would have increased the motor fuel tax rate from 23.5 cents per gallon to 28.5 cents.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Monitored.

Tax Climate Legislation
Corporate Income Tax – Rate Reduction and Reform (SB 603 / HB 1244)
Sponsor: Senator Pinsky / Delegate Ross
Summary: Would have instituted combined reporting for Maryland corporations. Would have allowed the Comptroller to determine the corporate tax rate annually.
Final Status: SB 603 did not pass. HB 1124 did not pass.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Montgomery County – Property Tax – Classes of Property and Special Rates MC 906-09
(HB 838)
Sponsor: Montgomery County Delegation
Summary: Would have authorized Montgomery County to impose property tax on those classes of property that it selects to be subject to property tax. Would have authorized Montgomery County to set special rates for any class of property that is subject to the county property tax.
Final Status: Reported unfavorable.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Tax Incentives and Benefits – Credits and Subtraction Modifications (HB 1188)
Sponsor: Delegate Gilchrist
Summary: Would have converted a number of tax credits to subtraction modifications, resulting in the credits being worth approximately 8.25% of their current value, including the: (1) Research and Development Tax Credit; (2) Enterprise Zone Credit; (3) Job Creation Tax Credit; (4) One Maryland Economic Development Credit; (5) Maryland-Mined Coal Credit; and (6) Clean Energy Incentive Tax Credit.
Final Status: Did not pass.
TCM Position: Opposed.

Workforce Legislation
Workforce Development – Maryland Workforce Corporation (HB 1526)
Sponsor: Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Summary: Establishes the Maryland Workforce Corporation to coordinate with State agencies to establish a plan and framework for workforce development programs, to provide grants, funding and other assistance to support workforce development and to act as a research and development resource for new and emerging workforce issues.
Final Status: Passed Enrolled. Awaiting Governor’s signature.
TCM Position: Monitored.