June 2023 Update
Bill Signings, Scholarship Awards, and Local Events
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It’s good to be back home on the Shore as the summer season begins. Lots of special events are drawing more and more visitors to Maryland’s Coast while numerous scholarship presentations and graduations have been held across the Lower Shore. Bills passed during the 2023 legislative session have been signed into law with some already in effect and others taking effect on October 1, 2023. |
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LOCAL CAROZZA BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW |
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With the 2023 Legislative Session behind us, several of my local bills that were approved by both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly have been signed into law by Governor Wes Moore:
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SB 68 allowing members of the Crisfield Police Department to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System, essential for recruitment and retention;
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SB 244 ensuring that Lena Williams, widow of ECI Correctional Officer Greg Collins killed in the line of duty in 2001, can apply for special death benefits;
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SB 246 authorizing Wicomico County to create a Sanitary District Commission to move forward with its Water and Sewer Master Plan;
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SB 135/HB 113 to establish an Ocean City promoter’s license in Worcester County;
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SB 796/HB 1087 to allow Sunday hunting in Wicomico County for game birds (not migratory birds) and game mammals until 10:30 am.
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SB 824/HB 466 to allow Sunday hunting in Worcester County for game birds (not migratory birds) and game mammals until 10:30 am.
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I also want to highlight three of my Statewide bills that were passed by the full legislature and were signed into law, including Senate Bill 823, which allows for a $40 discount on the annual $75 State Park Pass for law enforcement and first responders including fire/EMS/paramedics and 9-1-1 specialists. The bill received unanimous approval and went into effect June 1, 2023. More on this new discounted pass as well as the application can be found on the DNR website.
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Senate Bill 794 allows the Maryland Department of Health to adopt regulations that are appropriate to residential treatment programs for substance use disorder that have under 17 beds. In practice, this bill allows these residential treatment programs to not have to install an elaborate and expensive commercial kitchen usually seen in large industrial settings.
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Senate Bill 493 establishes a task force to study the adequacy of trauma funding across Maryland for operating, capital, and workforce costs. This was the top legislative priority for TidalHealth to help ensure fair funding for the trauma center in the future. Additionally, $9.5 million was set aside in the FY24 Operating Budget to assist trauma centers experiencing financial challenges.
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NEW LAWS IMPACTING THE SHORE |
Two particular bills that in my view will have a negative impact on Ocean City and the Shore region are Senate Bill 781, the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources Act, and Senate Bill 516, Cannabis Reform.
SB 781 allows the State to begin the process of building wind turbines before a proper feasibility study and analysis is completed.
Additionally, this legislation threatens to potentially add massive high voltage power lines and dangerous cable landfalls in Ocean City. I will continue to press to keep offshore wind transmission infrastructure out of Ocean City and push for transparency of the true cost of offshore wind energy on our environment and our Shore Way of Life.
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SB 516 was proposed in the aftermath of the legalization of recreational cannabis following the ballot initiative in the 2022 elections and makes significant changes to Maryland’s regulations on the use of cannabis. I remain concerned about the legalization and regulation of the recreational use of marijuana, in particular health and safety issues that are tied to increases of smoking marijuana in public. SB 516 also does not provide enough safeguards for the small, narrowly-focused CBD-dispensaries and for existing medical cannabis dispensaries that followed the rules and guidelines previously in place.
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One of the most rewarding experiences of serving in the Maryland Senate is presenting my Senate scholarship to local students who have been accepted at a Maryland public or private college or university. These scholarships help keep our local student talent right here in Maryland, with many scholarship recipients attending Salisbury University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Wor-Wic Community College.
The Scholarship Program is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and Senate scholarships are renewed each year as long as the student remains in good standing. Over 80 students are expected to receive my scholarship this year, and 13 high schools in District 38 participated in the 2022-2023 program.
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MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
The Maryland Association of Elected Officials (MAEO) returned to Ocean City for their annual conference this year, and I was invited to give brief remarks.
“I am deeply appreciative of the dedicated efforts of our local election officials that help to ensure fair, accurate, and transparent elections.”
MAEO is the professional membership organization for local election officials and Election Boards from all 24 jurisdictions in Maryland, which works to improve the election and registration procedures in the State.
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Dedication of the commemorative marker for the “Hungry for History Event” recognizing the selection in 2008 of the Smith Island Cake as the state dessert
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Thrive55
Senior Life After 55 returned to Salisbury to celebrate the life opportunities of the older adult. Two dozen exhibitors offered ample information on how to lead a healthy, happy, and long life. Representatives from healthcare, physical therapy, volunteer organizations and activities that cater to adults 55 and older were in attendance.
“I was happy to participate in this event and be there for my constituents to help navigate State government and make the process a little bit easier. I was especially happy to have my mom with me at this important event.”
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Frontier Town 60th Anniversary
Don’t miss out on visiting Sun Outdoors Frontier Town and having amazing Wild West adventures! This special place, celebrating its 60th anniversary, brings back lots of great family memories watching the cowboys and can can girls in action, and Native American dancing and demonstrations with Screaming Eagle & Laughing Wolf. You can camp at Frontier Town or come visit when you’re down on the Shore. Let’s make new Frontier Town memories this summer!
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GALLERY FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT |
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Special Olympics Boardwalk Torch Run in Ocean City |
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Visiting with local Independent Electrical Contractor members at Tall Tales in Parsonsburg |
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS POLAR BEAR PLUNGE |
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These are our future leaders!
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Honored to give remarks at the dedication of Wor-Wic Community College's new Patricia and Alan Guerrieri Technology Center and to see the outpouring of support for theis great asset to the community.
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Touring Wor-Wic's new technology building with Michael Guerrieri (center) on behalf of his family and former Wor-Wic Student Government President Gavin Stephens (left). |
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Ribbon cutting for the new School of Pharmacy and Health Professions on the Campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where we were treated to a tour of the facility.
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Attending the introduction of the new "POP-UP LIBRARY" which will provide a traveling library into various parts of Worcester County Jennifer Ranck (left), is the director of the Worcester County Library. |
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I will be spending the summer and fall making the rounds and visiting with constituents in all of my 11 municipalities in Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties.
Hope to see you on the trail!
I welcome you to visit my website: Mary Beth Carozza or find me on Facebook, and twitter. You can send me a letter to: P.O. Box 428, Ocean City, MD 21843
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Mary Beth Carozza
State Senator-District 38
Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset
410-841-3645
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