[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6612805,"mediaKeyId","2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c","parentId",2886316,"title","Committee backs fund to support population‑health projects tied to Maryland's AHEAD model","audioSeconds",320,"startMs",1591000,"endMs",1911000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c&start=1591&end=1911","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c/thumbnail_1591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612805/Maryland/Committee-backs-fund-to-support-populationhealth-projects-tied-to-Marylands-AHEAD-model","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612805-42b6232683b28bb838ad57bf83ef2298/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210791&Signature=FrG5vCwbiQ-o2OOrn-2jTCQ7OCq~-cRngLK-TTRWsFUv~0f--ZqoxGLnNhwt7o6u1-s88GKQAzh~0qVWFAfzo0iS1i6rN8oHD~eU~C~HAtoK0qkNqHhcEXMSF2yxeWo48wpZR4n94K5afaF0oj2Rr2huKk4lBRxA6SklORb5QuciHXlcTxStFBzLg1DFjZm5nBe4Zy~CpiCDWH0n8INefM9sfbQpl-KOZnSqc1scgVh779877zgWg1~IGfVDWx6IMd1DuJ37LtuTI2~ER~dOTnEMA8Jy9kwWOchgqLaPBKj7PO-DxOwLOXKj0luYCmQCNuMELWptrA0EgoWjMs9Rcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Budget and Taxation","date","2025-04-05T15:32:42.897Z","article","The Budget and Taxation Committee approved legislation to establish a Population Health Improvement Fund to support initiatives tied to Maryland's AHEAD total cost of care model.

Elizabeth Crom, assistant secretary for population health and strategic initiatives at the Maryland Department of Health, told the committee the fund would be jointly administered by the Maryland Department of Health and the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) and limited to purposes set out in the state's agreement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Crom said the fund could accept public and private contributions and cited four broad categories of funding uses: clinical interventions to improve quality of care, programs to improve health behaviors, investments addressing health‑related social needs such as housing, transportation and food, and improvements to the physical environment such as access to recreation.

Crom told members the HSCRC in December 2024 voted for a one‑time $25 million assessment already accounted for in 2025 hospital rates; the bill would authorize the HSCRC to assess in the future, subject to statutory limits and sunsets in the reprint. The bill also includes provisions expanding permitted uses of clearinghouse data for population health work, a point Crom said the Maryland Health Care Commission had discussed previously.

Senator Cormann asked for examples of targeted goals or metrics; Crom listed preventable disease reduction and chronic disease management among enumerated targets in the state agreement. Committee members noted the bill's committee history and record; the transcript records a prior finance committee vote. After brief questions, the committee voted in favor of the measure by voice vote.

If enacted, the fund would provide a statutory vehicle for pooled public and private funding aimed at population‑level interventions under Maryland's federal AHEAD agreement; implementation details would be governed by the state agreement and HSCRC processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","B&T Committee Session, 4/5/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The Budget and Taxation Committee approved legislation to establish a Population Health Improvement Fund to support initiatives tied to Maryland's AHEAD total cost of care model.","taxTitle","Budget and Taxation Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15091,"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},6612810,"Panel advances bill to create federal-worker loan fund and expand attorney general authority to protect federal benefits",126,1054000,1180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c&start=1054&end=1180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c/thumbnail_1054000.jpg","/articles/6612810/Maryland/Panel-advances-bill-to-create-federal-worker-loan-fund-and-expand-attorney-general-authority-to-protect-federal-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612810-fcc7665efcd91f45963a15f3b6b68723/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210791&Signature=cUrMCSnhhXhKI2IM07Jc4sTbFxF~70d8oxSsFgJW9FPE~crPQOw9fNUn7Ipamu0rErl1w-iOWFPf9416KPKFDR6PoHdb5HUTcH~pdSm9u974CfPeAtTT5J88jb8~HF3emdqC1O9VuiHFz3Ecz2zDXKJD9t7ONOEvumxVA245fxExtBEeiRa7eDBcZU65pM4wHdRpGOiAZrZBW3-GqERuukdM0LQASNf1kaRRmJ56gK3nRyv~jW0xeeOJZkVudf0CNG4yGYgUUga2vE6zOmkun0~vuXU068084oGy3efyI-B4i7y0tt34hFI5W-t8s9gKYVcnFMeH9DkKwU40pd7wYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Budget and Taxation Committee advanced House Bill 1424 after members reviewed a reprint that would allow state special funds to be used to help federal workers who suffer financial hardship from federal facility closures, relocations or mass layoffs.

The reprint instructs the catastrophic event account may be used for financial hardships caused by closures, relocations or mass layoffs and creates a Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund that would make no‑interest loans to eligible former federal employees. The bill authorizes the Maryland Department of Labor to establish eligibility criteria and to hire a third‑party vendor to administer the program. The fund currently has no capital; the reprint authorizes the governor to transfer $1,500,000 into the fund by budget amendment and contemplates a potential $5,000,000 transfer to capitalize the loan program if the governor so amends the budget.

A staff presenter summarized program mechanics, saying the loan portion of the bill “modifies that for no interest loans for people who are in the changes are in immediately preceding 6 months, were terminated from employment due to closure relocation or mass layoff” and that Labor would be able to forgive loans under specified circumstances. The reprint also permits Labor to establish additional eligibility criteria and to contract for software and administrative services in anticipation of capitalization.

The bill further expands authority for the Office of the Attorney General to investigate and, when appropriate, prosecute matters involving residents who are “inappropriately denied federal benefits” or other entitlements. The mandatory appropriation for the Attorney General in the reprint increases from $1,000,000 to $2,500,000 and strikes the previous five‑employee cap. The reprint also includes a requirement for research and a report on foreclosure activity affecting federal employees and directs certain transfers to be subject to review and comment by the Legislative Policy Committee.

Senator Hetleman asked whether the change would allow the Attorney General to sue the federal government on behalf of residents denied federal benefits; a staff member answered, “Yes, yes. That's exactly what it is,” and clarified it would cover Social Security and other federal benefits that residents are personally entitled to but are being wrongfully denied.

Committee members noted the bill designates the act as an emergency measure and extends the governor's transfer authority through the first quarter of 2026 for the transfers described in the reprint. After brief comment and a motion to move the bill favorably as amended, the committee approved the bill. The motion was made and the committee indicated approval by voice; no roll‑call tally was provided in the transcript.

The committee record shows members also requested a small title amendment to add language noting protection of federal benefits in the bill title. The presenter reminded members the loan fund currently lacks capital and that program implementation is contingent on future budget action to fund the loan account.

If enacted as reprinted, the bill would (1) authorize new allowable uses for the catastrophic event account, (2) create criteria and administrative authority for a no‑interest loan program for displaced federal workers subject to capitalization by the governor, (3) expand the Attorney General's investigatory and prosecutorial authority related to improperly denied federal benefits, and (4) increase the Attorney General's mandatory appropriation from $1,000,000 to $2,500,000.","The Budget and Taxation Committee advanced House Bill 1424 after members reviewed a reprint that would allow state special funds to be used to help federal workers who suffer financial hardship from federal facility closures, relocations or mass layoffs.",{"_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},6612791,"Votes at a glance: Budget and Taxation Committee approves several technical and departmental bills",95,767000,862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c&start=767&end=862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c/thumbnail_767000.jpg","/articles/6612791/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Budget-and-Taxation-Committee-approves-several-technical-and-departmental-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612791-a5ea79bd34d6820cae101576a7d55228/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210791&Signature=ODhMernrMF3MqzF8X5-YbjGzeLv3LqrDliLjZbt1Mp-QI8lT7Dc8N7jpcupfji3T~~Wne6OQmDVvjAIq1Mj0iZ~GzJvEGJ68zN6c5mWTT59JhmVLcthPhzA87Q0e~Zbrz9bw3TxFEnOp6apgGqltaDX6zUrcix8Id161DAIomeaNbkjwD-InXr9F0wpLTYG3zD-3H7SZMqn~h6ImY3ncJjTwMRIhYEUEbdxFeLE3Vvs1-prHB5s9VTXkBx-Xulp3AxZDai7umD6VHZXdJ-QLJy~mWKn2BGZ9Y0uue9MFhhi8qh6m5TGnbshVElTVViJR3IbA79-InfKaTmI8VjwDYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Budget and Taxation Committee disposed of a number of technical and departmental measures by voice vote during its session.

Bills acted on with brief discussion or staff explanation included:

- House Bill 614: A corrective bill requested by the Comptroller to clarify how the applicable county income tax rate is used to calculate the local earned income tax credit; staff described the change as technical and applicable to Anne Arundel and Frederick counties. Committee approved by voice vote.

- House Bill 617: Clarifies that incoming calls that may be monitored or recorded under existing authority are limited to calls coming to the comptroller's call center. Committee approved by voice vote.

- House Bill 619: A departmental bill from the Comptroller's office to exempt sales of cannabis between a licensed cannabis business and a registered nursery from sales and use tax; staff described the change as technical. Committee approved by voice vote.

- House Bill 618: Authorizes the State Lottery to offer subscription purchases for certain lottery games electronically; committee decided to hold the item and return after session.

- Washington County delegation bill (filed as item 750): Passed cleanly by voice vote, per the transcript.

- Prior authorization bill, House Bill 1519: Modifies authorizations of state debt and prior year capital budgets; an amendment updated project names and titles and the committee moved the bill forward by voice vote. Committee staff noted additional changes would be considered on the Senate floor and that floor amendments were likely prior to final enactment.

Most of these measures were described by staff as technical or conforming changes; the transcript records voice votes for approval on the listed bills and that some items (for example, HB 618) were held for further consideration. Where the transcript did not provide roll‑call tallies or movers, outcomes are reported as committee approval by voice vote or as held, as stated on the record.","The Budget and Taxation Committee disposed of a number of technical and departmental measures by voice vote during its session.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612796,"Committee clarifies $200 million redevelopment appropriation tied to potential FBI relocation",66,3650000,3716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c&start=3650&end=3716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c/thumbnail_3650000.jpg","/articles/6612796/Maryland/Committee-clarifies-200-million-redevelopment-appropriation-tied-to-potential-FBI-relocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612796-450e805464417f53d521c160361177d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210791&Signature=RUhzTrIUWiYNuwr1CZD13ltHMwij-zKj0l6bDwNtPf4KK8~XDOPPRHz4N6vcl17ps1NMr9t7T4xbfCi9WcM3p1tCxWct5ab6cx7g35IbGe-0fNzVd80Wezh62LZm-IK4j4C-i48wYFHpkIc9JX5iaNaiE4F1SK7tNPmO3lvlG-JPnU1pBiO11JpYQcTdhG06Qf3--lltngLJEx2MBsyux51gzaHs5OSwTz4YiXm~OJY~XWvvLc6PPbWBtlxAcD1QSoqSCGrx7KUhYE8qpVyH3eWCMdAltrB~vImxxYep1BfoAOWYuL51nPNJNb5238RovWr026MHW2LVJ7c~-4XvAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Budget and Taxation Committee approved an amendment clarifying that an existing $200,000,000 appropriation for site redevelopment related to the FBI’s potential relocation applies to Prince George’s County or the State's permit process tied to that relocation.

A committee presenter stated the amendment “is basically just holding the funding,” noting that the $200 million had already been authorized in prior years as general obligation bond funding. The House amendment substitutes language about relocation and clarifies the appropriation applies to Prince George’s County or statewide permitting associated with the FBI relocation. Committee members asked whether the appropriation was tied to a specific site and a presenter confirmed the appropriation is intended to support redevelopment and improvements linked to the FBI relocation and that the fiscal note indicated the bill has no immediate effect because the bond funding was previously authorized.

After discussion the committee approved the bills as amended by voice vote. The transcript records senators asking whether the funding would remain available if the FBI location changed; staff confirmed the amendment is written to ensure the appropriation remains available to the project regardless of site selection within the State. No roll‑call vote was recorded in the committee transcript excerpt.","The Budget and Taxation Committee approved an amendment clarifying that a previously authorized $200 million appropriation for site redevelopment applies to Prince George's County or statewide permits associated with a potential FBI relocation.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612801,"Lawmakers debate requiring state construction and security contracts to allow equitable adjustments for statutory changes and collective bargaining",519,2823000,3342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c&start=2823&end=3342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2886316-2fc41dd70c094d62953ddafb61b6eb4c/thumbnail_2823000.jpg","/articles/6612801/Maryland/Lawmakers-debate-requiring-state-construction-and-security-contracts-to-allow-equitable-adjustments-for-statutory-changes-and-collective-bargaining","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612801-2112e6fcf0bc54330f082d779271fb67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210791&Signature=RVj-7MW6xC~G6VaFXrtpTQ5mjRoBQVUlrtbwr-GGXPWqUXun1M7DLUPTjZjaoeysNLxzlMIstWQ7rDTV9xjYKY3yOzLbiQleTsuH4naziXG-C78fbhoH8gdWpp9CtCOzK-CmL3-uHEOQIjpbf3AAsnrzM0aAN8RDhyKztB1f78Ijbap8j6U6H1p13L0LIyIV49bmifsvH08yRySNKHkwyQKMOPCsYPMrNIFZUr-3~WTzbaeSE8FUz11iOLT5OPCmB69VC7jKn2aIEhaQgi0CeFiNNFVH45hfW6S0mOPcrQMbMCCRTZeb9~4ydBBdeMhH8hhanf5~9-53u4u-oZG4Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Budget and Taxation Committee debated House Bill 1499, a bill that would require state procurement contracts for construction and security services valued at $1,000,000 or more and lasting three years or longer to include clauses allowing equitable contract adjustments when statutory changes or collective bargaining increase contractors' compensation or benefits costs.

Committee staff noted the fiscal note raises questions about potential procurement cost increases and added administrative workload for state procurement staff, and that the bill's effect would depend on future events. Staff also observed ambiguity in the reprint about the role of the Board of Public Works — the House amendment makes modifications “subject to approval by the Board of Public Works,” but the transcript record left unclear whether that language preserves the Board’s authority to reject or only to document approved modifications.

Senators and outside witnesses discussed scope and intent. John Pica, speaking on behalf of NASCO and Allied Universal, said the bill’s drafting was intended to limit collective‑bargaining provisions to security services and that DGS (Department of General Services) and MDOT had worked on agreed language; he urged limiting the application to security services. Committee members suggested alternative drafting choices, including raising the monetary threshold (one member suggested $2.5 million) or explicitly limiting the provision to security services to narrow the bill’s scope.

Staff noted the House had extended the bill's effective date to October 2026. Committee members requested additional input from DGS and MDOT and said they would bring the matter back before final action. One participant summarized the practical concern: if a long‑running contract encounters a collective‑bargaining outcome that raises labor costs, the contractor could seek a contract modification to pass those costs through to the state.

The committee did not take a final vote on the reprint during the transcript excerpt and signaled plans to revisit the bill with additional agency input and a potential amendment limiting scope or changing the threshold.","The Budget and Taxation Committee debated House Bill 1499, which would require specified state construction and security service contracts valued at $1 million or more to include clauses allowing contract modification for increased costs from statutory changes or collective bargaining.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs fund to support population‑health projects tied to Maryland's AHEAD model

Panel advances bill to create federal-worker loan fund and expand attorney general authority to protect federal benefits

Votes at a glance: Budget and Taxation Committee approves several technical and departmental bills

Committee clarifies $200 million redevelopment appropriation tied to potential FBI relocation

Lawmakers debate requiring state construction and security contracts to allow equitable adjustments for statutory changes and collective bargaining