MICUA

At midnight on April 9, the Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die. In this first session of a four-year term, several issues impacting independent higher education were debated. Following are the top legislative initiatives impacting MICUA members.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Review of Duplicative Academic Programs (SB 29) (failed)
A bill failed that would have allowed review of the 2005 Maryland Higher Education Commission ruling approving a joint Towson/University of Baltimore MBA program. As introduced, the bill would have affected all higher education institutions, but the bill was heavily amended in the Senate and House. The bill failed because the Senate and House did not reach a compromise on the amendments. Similar legislation passed last session but was vetoed by former Governor Ehrlich.

Plans for Programs of Cultural Diversity (SB 416) (failed)
This bill would have required nonpublic institutions of higher education to submit an annual report on their programs to promote and enhance cultural diversity. This measure passed the Senate but was stalled in the House where it was never brought up for a vote.

State Tuition Freeze (SB 108, HB 134) (passed)

Legislation introduced by the O’Malley administration passed prohibiting the Board of Regents of the University of Maryland and Morgan State University from increasing resident undergraduate tuition for the 2007-08 academic years beyond the rates charged in the 2005-06 academic year. The state’s budget includes an additional $16.2 million in funding for the institutions to make up for the loss in tuition revenue.

Blind and Print Disabled Students – Instructional Materials (HB 1056/SB 268) (passed)
Legislation passed requiring the Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to convene an Instructional Materials Access Guidelines Committee. The Committee will coordinate the distribution of instructional materials to blind and other print-disabled students. A representative of a private four-year institution of higher education will be represented on the committee.

• providing emergency services to prevent or respond to an imminent threat to public health or safety;
• a public service company;
• a nonprofit organization;
• another State agency;
• a county government (including Baltimore City); or
• required under State law to pay a prevailing wage that is higher than the living wage.

• Removes the $30 million dollar cap;
• Extends the program to June 2010 (two year extension);
• Increases the single-jurisdiction limit to 75%, with additional roll over of unused funds from other jurisdictions; and
• Expands the time to apply for the credit.

Chesapeake Bay

A proposal to levy a fee on developers to pay for Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts died in the Senate over its fiscal impact during a time of budget uncertainties. The Maryland General Assembly did agree to allow leasing parcels of the floor of the Bay for oyster restoration and to reduce the amount of phosphorus from dish-washing detergents sold in Maryland.

Clean Cars

Legislation passed requiring cars sold in Maryland to face stricter emissions standards to reduce pollution.

Ground Rents

The legislature passed a package of bills that prohibits new ground rents, establishes a ground rent registry, and requires ground rent holders to issue regular bills and increase notification requirements for homeowners.

Smoking Ban

Legislation passed that makes smoking illegal in bars and restaurants—including private clubs such as the American Legion halls. The legislation will allow local health officials to issue waivers to businesses that can demonstrate a financial hardship.

Voting

The legislature approved bills to move up Maryland’s presidential primary to February 12. Separate legislation awards the State’s electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, if enough State’s elect to do the same thing. The legislature also approved voting machines that provide a paper ballot by the 2010 elections.

In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

Legislation passed the House of Delegates that extend in-state tuition rates for public institutions of higher education to illegal immigrants. The bill failed in the Senate. This issue is expected to return next year.

Health Care

A major proposal to extend medical coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured residents passed the House of Delegates but died in the Senate. The bill raised the income level at which an individual or family qualifies for Medicaid. To help pay for the initiative, the bill doubled the tobacco tax to $2 per pack.

BRAC

Legislation passed establishing a BRAC subcabinet to the Governor’s office. The subcabinet, to be chaired by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, will devise State strategies to handle the influx of up to 45,000 potential jobs coming to Maryland as a result of the BRAC decisions to consolidate and relocate military installations throughout the country. Higher Education will play a critical role in educating and training the workers and families expected to fill the jobs created through the BRAC decisions.

Government Efficiency

The Governor proposed and the Legislature approved the creation of StateStat. StateStat requires Executive Branch agencies to submit a strategic plan and performance measurement report to the Secretary of Budget and Management as part of its annual budget submissions. Agencies must adopt a strategic plan, and develop a comprehensive set of performance and citizen satisfaction measurements. The Governor hopes to utilize the StateStat program to realize efficiencies in Government prior to the enactment of new tax revenues or the passage of slot machine legislation.