Busy Day today!  We finished voting on the last bills from the Committees that will cross over to the Senate for hearings.

My bill HB796 – Property Tax Credit for Homes Formerly Owned by the Habitat for Humanity had a hearing in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee.  This was a sponsor only hearing and went quickly.

This evening I attended the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Reception and met Shelby Clarke from McDonough High School who was the scholarship winner from Charles County.  Shelby is a delight to meet and I enjoyed talking to her parents and her about her future plans.

District 27 (Southern Prince George’s County and Calvert Counties) held their District Reception on Monday night in the Senate Building.  This event was sponsored by Senator Mike Miller and Delegates Kullen, Proctor, and Vallario.  I was glad to see that a bus of Charles County residents joined this event to show their support to this District.  This was a well attended event and I got a chance to catch up with many of my friends.

Long hearing today and long sessions today and predicted for tomorrow.  Speaker Busch announced that we should plan to be in session on Saturday in order to get as many bills ready for the crossover deadline on Monday.

Today the Ways and Means Committee heard HB1179 – Office of Student Financial Assistance – Public Service Scholarships – Student Members of County Boards of Education.  This bill would give scholarships to Student Members of County Boards of Education in recognition of their service on the Board.  These students give up much of their free time to serve their communities and deserve the recognition.  I appreciated Brian Frazee, former board member from Charles County, and David Murray, current State student board member, for their help in testifying on this bill.

Our bill HB1380 – Boards of Education – Requirement to Establish a Green Cleaning Policy was heard in the Ways and Means Committee today.  This bill follows up on last year’s bill which required Boards of Education to purchase green cleaning products if economically feasible.  The bill requires Boards of Education to adopt a written policy outlining the purchasing, use, storage, and training of personnel in the use of green cleaning products.  I had the support of the Maryland PTA and Maryland Children’s Environmental Health Coalition for the language in the bill.  There was no opposition to the bill, and I am hopeful that it will get a favorable recommendation from the Committee.