[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6332011,"mediaKeyId","2309058-a9f7b55226b00c90c2e8aa19293e5562","parentId",2309058,"title","Agriculture department seeks funding for new LEAF program as BRFAA, federal grants reshape fiscal 2026 budget","audioSeconds",4462,"startMs",2602000,"endMs",7064000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2309058-a9f7b55226b00c90c2e8aa19293e5562&start=2602&end=7064","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2309058-a9f7b55226b00c90c2e8aa19293e5562/thumbnail_2602000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332011/Maryland/Agriculture-department-seeks-funding-for-new-LEAF-program-as-BRFAA-federal-grants-reshape-fiscal-2026-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332011-30d9d4f9f916f124d029312b15572e4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106200&Signature=SuQ3m~p5cTlUuKQiB~F7yh2ogTipLF7v8Yj-I8AyGgOo85J8LUfwOE-QHV3TOZ4yoIRwUMBfvAE1yMDcc8MmZ-C7NV2PUlyql-0~4HBwbVsMsW2f~9AgtqWaP3hrvABJtgLVZI3c0LXYOcEfuo1kxVdLcqSWZOkXOO9SI24UF8ET3vMW-FAoawrL8ZVqeFbhTkkKr7UifvJAk8Y2Z4O~FqFvo2P6jc0tUJ~tkOv-lntMLSGil4nst8v2HqrruHkOeN-gXZizkUFtV4y68phxH0yTMkL~G4kQ6fpQv9qg0s6F46ZWgOoc28uJeZWWshwOQtAPCU0Lx-g9yrufvL~xxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - B&T","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) told the subcommittee that its fiscal 2026 budget includes a reduction in some grant lines, planned new positions and a proposed new LEAF (Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming) program that remains uncertain because of Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFAA) changes and differing fiscal notes.

DLS analyst Mr. Gray (Department of Legislative Services) presented an overview of the department’s allowance and recommended actions. The agency’s operating total was presented as $125.9 million in the fiscal 2026 allowance, a net decrease that includes contingent reductions tied to BRFAA and federally funded program swings. Gray noted the department reverted about $2.2 million of Tree Solutions Now Act funding from fiscal 2024 and that the BRFAA proposal would reduce the tree-planting appropriation in future years.

Why it matters: The department manages conservation programs, agriculture support and emergency responses (including to highly pathogenic avian influenza). Changes to the department’s special and federal fund mix affect rural grants, cover-crop and conservation programming and inspection responsibilities for emerging needs such as electric vehicle charging station inspection.

Key points from the hearing:
- LEAF program and tree-planting funding: MDA described a new Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEAF) program, envisioned as a certification/recognition and incentive program for conservation and community engagement practices on farms. The governor’s budget proposes $900,000 for LEAF administration and grants; DLS recommended reducing the appropriation to $500,000 if the bills establishing the program do not pass and restricting $100,000 pending a program report. DLS flagged that BRFAA would cut a separate tree-planting appropriation from $2.5 million to $500,000.
- Positions and vacancies: DLS said the allowance creates about 6 new positions (including a 0.3 FTE conversion to full time for an assistant attorney general) and 8 contractual conversions — a net sample increase of 14.3 full-time equivalents in MDA’s personnel table. The agency told the committee its vacancy rate has improved since the December data cited by DLS but DLS asked MDA to explain a substantial vacancy-rate increase reflected in the submission data.
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): DLS asked MDA to update the committee on federal reimbursement for outbreak response. MDA staff said there were reimbursement delays but they have recently received USDA approvals and federal funding is beginning to flow for HPAI response work.
- Electric vehicle charging inspection: DLS noted prior committee narrative and legislation left open who will be responsible for reliability and accuracy oversight of EV charging stations. MDA currently handles accuracy but not reliability; DLS’s cost estimate showed MDA performing reliability oversight would be higher than alternatives such as the Public Service Commission. DLS requested MDA to explain any further discussions about who will assume reliability responsibilities and whether the FY26 budget includes adequate inspection funding.
- Rural program cuts and other grant changes: DLS flagged reductions to Rural Maryland Council grants and the phase-out of Tri-County Council funding, Marbidco funding reductions (noted as the authority being fiscally self-sufficient), and recommended committee narrative requesting agency reporting on several priority projects and grant outcomes.

Agency testimony and follow-up actions: The department noted it expects renewed federal reimbursements for HPAI work and defended several staffing requests tied to regulatory responsibilities (food-processing residuals inspectors, animal health positions for HPAI response, and LEAF staffing). DLS recommended restricting funding where statutory authorizations are not finalized and asked MDA for a report on vacancy-rate changes, HPAI federal reimbursement communications, LEAF program scope and long-term funding, and the department’s plan for EV inspection costs.

Ending: Committee members pressed the agency for specific details on federal funding timelines, program reporting and how LEAF would be funded long term. DLS recommended specific reductions and restrictions (including $2 million deletion for federal funds that are not expected to be realized). No formal votes were taken at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PST Committee Session, 2/13/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The Maryland Department of Agriculture asked the subcommittee to fund a new LEAF program and justified additional inspection and animal health positions while analysts urged caution because BRFAA changes and federal reimbursement timing reduce near-term resources.","taxTitle","Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",78575,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332016,"Attorney General urges lawmakers to back flexibility for special funds, opioid enforcement in fiscal 2026 budget hearing",1492,1228000,2720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2309058-a9f7b55226b00c90c2e8aa19293e5562&start=1228&end=2720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2309058-a9f7b55226b00c90c2e8aa19293e5562/thumbnail_1228000.jpg","/articles/6332016/Maryland/Attorney-General-urges-lawmakers-to-back-flexibility-for-special-funds-opioid-enforcement-in-fiscal-2026-budget-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332016-7eaa043ce11ecb1d92d462d53a662a2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106200&Signature=n3sx~XkB1F4~NqKPXb4YuVXmDOlYEAFRa3R55DP2a~bKnwTaJ7XdOGaxfY4EVUf-4Lsq84HuV3wCJ~f78AKm3TmRB9irNklcdBfZ2O8xB8IvsHvnLcUfp6LmH9xH4MIFHoeuTBqrdEJdG52K3slKBIkKrAUJGaqTLfstBAnQgomynAuxJRrDWNIY1jttVCYG2CdIXONXBkAfoKZW6EXplrCcZ3xeMIvpsEZqNzuyTc0V4uIGpYA7paHoK6ruJuJtPfD8s5GQJXlsB3QrZInV3elr42LO6uwAzPxAoCKixo6japNHaaFfVMCjdS~IQyU~gkkLF1QAm5dejigNrHk4Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) told the Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee that its fiscal 2026 budget request includes funding for 31 new positions and a roughly $9.8 million increase, and asked lawmakers to approve changes that would let it use special funds for core operations and to support an opioid enforcement unit.

The Department of Legislative Services analyst summarized the OAG allowance and contingent adjustments, saying the fiscal 2026 budget “increases by $9,800,000 or 12.3% to $90,100,000” and that the package includes 31 new positions, 20 of which are contractual conversions to permanent posts. Jacob Polikoff, the Department of Legislative Services analyst, presented the budget analysis and highlighted contingencies tied to the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFAA), shifts between general and special funds, and the agency’s personnel changes.

Why it matters: The attorney general’s office represents the state in litigation and prosecutes complex criminal and civil matters; the office told the committee it needs more stable revenue sources to preserve legal functions — including consumer protection, securities enforcement and an opioid enforcement unit that pursues large settlements and restitution.

Attorney General (name not specified) said the office has cut its vacancy rate sharply and is now “down to less than 3%” after prior years of high vacancies, and asked the committee to approve BRFAA language that would allow OAG to use the securities registration fund for general operations. The attorney general described a projected shortfall if the office continues to rely on shrinking special funds and warned that federal funding uncertainty also threatens units such as the Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit (MFCU).

Key details from the hearing:
- Budget and personnel: DLS said the fiscal 2026 allowance totals $90.1 million after contingent provisions and includes 31 new positions (11 new slots plus 20 contractual conversions). The largest division appropriation is for legal counsel and advice; consumer protection is the second largest. DLS flagged contingent reductions and technical language in the BRFAA that it recommended clarifying.
- Special funds and BRFAA requests: OAG seeks BRFAA language clarifying that a $350,000 enforcement mandate may be met with special funds rather than general funds and requested authority to use the securities registration fund for general operations; the governor’s BRFAA also would permit a $5 million transfer from that fund to the general fund. The office asked the General Assembly to approve the BRFAA provisions as written or with clarified contingent language.
- Opioid enforcement unit request: The attorney general asked the legislature to allow $1.5 million from the opioid restitution fund to support six staff who pursue opioid settlements and restitution. He said the unit has helped secure roughly $680 million in obligations since 2016, of which about $180 million has been received to date. He asked for a five-year sunset on the fund allocation so the arrangement can be revisited.
- Access to Counsel and Evictions (ACE) program: Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) — the program administrator — told the committee the ACE rollout is in its third year and that the program provided nearly 9,000 cases of counsel in fiscal 2024. MLSC said the program is operating on roughly $20 million this year but estimates full statewide operation will cost about $25 million annually; DLS urged MLSC to identify how it will close the funding gap and recommended committee narrative requesting a report on final implementation and fiscal 2027 costs.
- Child Victims Act litigation: DLS noted Chapter 5 of 2023 (the Child Victims Act) led to thousands of cases and said the state’s maximum liability for a single claimant is set at $890,000 by statute. The attorney general confirmed negotiations with plaintiffs’ counsel are ongoing and that no fiscal 2026 appropriation currently designates funds for claimant payments; DLS urged the OAG to comment on timelines and options for funding any settlement.
- Recoveries and enforcement activity: DLS reported the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit recovered about $10.5 million in fiscal 2024, driven by the conclusion of two long-running criminal fraud investigations that returned about $9.5 million in restitution; without those cases, recoveries would have been near $1 million.

What the attorney general asked the committee to do: approve BRFAA changes, consider a supplemental appropriation or BRFAA fix to cover a projected fiscal-year deficit, allow the opioid restitution fund to support the opioid enforcement unit (the $1.5 million request), and consider raising broker fees by $10 to add revenue to the securities registration fund.

DLS recommendations and committee follow-up: DLS recommended clarifying contingent BRFAA language, requested MLSC provide a rollout and cost report for ACE, and advised the committee to seek technical corrections to general and special fund language. Committee members pressed the attorney general for more details about federal funding risks for the Medicaid fraud and vulnerable victims unit and asked for follow-up on artificial intelligence use in OAG legal work — the attorney general said an internal work group will issue recommendations by May.

Ending: The hearing produced no formal votes. Committee members asked OAG to return with requested reports on ACE implementation, BRFAA technical language, the Child Victims Act negotiation timeline, and updates on the opioid restitution funding proposal.","The Office of the Attorney General told a legislative subcommittee it needs more flexible use of special funds and a $1.5 million recurring contribution from the opioid restitution fund to sustain an opioid enforcement unit and other legal work as the agency’s fiscal 2026 allowance increases to about $90.1 million.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332006,"Corrections officials cite rising assaults, constrained staffing and delays to women's pre‑release program",5588,7111000,12699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2309058-a9f7b55226b00c90c2e8aa19293e5562&start=7111&end=12699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2309058-a9f7b55226b00c90c2e8aa19293e5562/thumbnail_7111000.jpg","/articles/6332006/Maryland/Corrections-officials-cite-rising-assaults-constrained-staffing-and-delays-to-womens-prerelease-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332006-1756c9a5ff78c79acba3c0efd0a16c6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106200&Signature=UoAyf9W3X6g9VlGOFv7OWvQs2g5Uxmh3muljQ1MbYs6bFmtrFptGkr2H-4NvaxjTRbezuovp0BMDG--XGoOhL51Wn438dpRtjSahv5i6f9Sgio0pBWUotH6IDdFh3s6T90cWDVBr4L1IShAiFGNF~4C-lr7UUrJf2kxNNCbJJJb~fO0TX5V74Qv8ENo72q-SexppkgRvSdGqJRfrm86l4egipRTmGjqSy2CGgcVZgUOofF3IvXWTUUSqQsnAyUFNHzuT2nyQH~L-U-tvUppXnpQtQLwyerrMrFAtV-dH69ix3yT19JXZctbl~DytqOWQEQ1UNBXI6uwiFcqwpe-D5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maryland corrections officials and representatives from advocacy groups and unions told the Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee that inmate-on-inmate and inmate-on-staff assaults have increased, contraband methods have become more sophisticated, and staffing shortages and facility maintenance problems are hampering safety and rehabilitative programming.

DLS presented a set of performance metrics showing increases in assaults and noted higher shares of the sentenced population are serving for person-based offenses. Catherine Barber, the DLS analyst, said the individual assault rate rose to 9.81 per 100 average daily population (ADP) and staff-assaults rose to 5.38 per 100 ADP in fiscal 2024; the department also reported five homicides in its correctional facilities in that period.

Why it matters: Rising violent incidents and shortages of correctional officers affect staff safety, the department’s ability to deliver reentry and pre‑release services and the state’s litigation exposure. Several items — transgender housing and PREA compliance, delayed construction of a women’s pre‑release center, collection of receivables for Maryland Correctional Enterprises (MCE), and rollout of a reentry passport — drew particular attention from lawmakers.

Key takeaways from testimony:
- Assaults and contraband: DPSCS attributed part of the rise in assaults to a higher proportion of incarcerated people serving longer sentences for violent offenses and to the introduction of undetectable contraband, including synthetic cannabinoids and substances applied to mail. The department described new interdiction efforts and data-driven monthly assault analysis and said assaults have declined 23.5% overall since the new reporting began in FY2025.
- Staffing and safety: The allowance contains 4,930 regular positions (a net decrease of 107), and DLS reported a correctional officer vacancy rate of about 10.3% as of January 2025. Union leaders warned that mandatory overtime and chronic understaffing increase risk for staff and incarcerated people; labor witnesses urged hiring rather than additional cuts to officer positions.
- Transgender inmate treatment and PREA: DLS recommended restricting $100,000 pending a DPSCS report on transgender individuals in custody and settlement expenditures tied to alleged mistreatment. Advocates and DLS flagged multiple settlements and a need to revise policies; DPSCS said it has revised its PREA process and updated the medical evaluations manual and will continue policy work with advocates. Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs said the department is “committed to safety and equity in housing decisions.”
- MCE accounts receivable and collections: An Office of Legislative Audit report found Maryland Correctional Enterprises was owed $12.9 million as of June 2023; $7 million of that was more than 90 days past due. DLS recommended the department submit a narrative on collection progress and delinquent accounts; DPSCS said it had escalated top past-due customers and referred nonstate delinquent accounts to the Central Collection Unit (CCU).
- Reentry passport and Project FRESH: The reentry passport pilot (digital access to identification and documents for people leaving custody) has progressed slowly because of email/account creation hurdles and an MOU that needed to be completed with MarylandTHINK (DHS platform). DPSCS said case managers can upload documents and that more documents are available in the portal now. Project FRESH, the temporary women’s prerelease programming at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCIW), remains limited: participation rates are low (about one-third of eligible women) and staffing shortages hamper expansion; the mandated MCIW pre‑release facility remains delayed to fiscal 2030.

What advocates and unions said: AFSCME and correctional officer local leaders warned against deleting officer positions and urged investments in staffing to reduce assaults and sustain programming. Members of the women's pre‑release equity coalition said the state is years behind the statutory deadline for creating a dedicated women's pre‑release center and urged immediate action to expand work‑release and employment opportunities.

Ending: DLS recommended several committee narratives and restrictions, including a $100,000 restriction pending a DPSCS report on transgender populations and settlements, a collection report for MCE, a reentry passport rollout update and a Project FRESH participation and program comparison. Committee members pressed DPSCS for more data on contraband trends, staffing application of the staffing-analysis procurement, critical maintenance needs and timelines for required reports.","Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services officials told lawmakers that rising assault rates, new contraband methods and persistent staffing shortages are stressing safety and limiting pre‑release and reentry programming.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Agriculture department seeks funding for new LEAF program as BRFAA, federal grants reshape fiscal 2026 budget

Attorney General urges lawmakers to back flexibility for special funds, opioid enforcement in fiscal 2026 budget hearing

Corrections officials cite rising assaults, constrained staffing and delays to women's pre‑release program