Ways and Means Committee [Source] Translate

Chair Janelle Wilkins opened the first voting session of the Ways and Means Committee for the 2026 legislative session, addressing five bills. The first bill discussed was House Bill 102, which, as amended, requires local school systems to create an advanced enrollment process for dependent children of active service members transferring into Maryland. The Secretary of Veterans and Military Families is tasked with publishing information to assist these children, including details on the Purple Star Schools program. The amendments were moved, seconded, and passed unanimously, allowing the bill to move forward favorably with amendments. Next, House Bill 154 was presented, requiring county boards of education to live stream and archive meetings for five years, with specific conditions for live streaming based on the number of meetings held at certain locations. The amendments were moved, seconded, and passed, leading to the bill moving forward favorably with amendments. House Bill 319 was then discussed, which repeals the sunset of previous legislation allowing county boards of education to use non-traditional vehicles for student transportation. The amendments were moved and passed, and the bill moved forward favorably with amendments. House Bill 325 was introduced, which amends the composition of the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board by removing a representative from the Association of Independent Schools and adding a representative from the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities. The amendments were moved, seconded, and passed, allowing the bill to move forward favorably with amendments. Finally, House Bill 1084 was presented, allowing the Montgomery County Board of Education to operate schools for only 180 days or the minimum required hours under certain conditions, with a sunset provision set for July 1, 2027. The amendments were moved and passed, and the bill moved forward favorably with amendments. The meeting concluded with a motion to withdraw a suite of legislation, which was also passed. Chair Wilkins thanked the committee members for their hard work and emphasized the importance of timeliness for future meetings.