April 13, 2007 Update

Maryland General Assembly

General Information

The Maryland General Assembly met in Annapolis for 90 days (January 10 – April 9) for its 423^rd session.  The General Assembly represents 47 Maryland districts with 47 senators and 141 delegates.  This year 1443 Bills and 6 Joint Resolution were introduced in the House and 1037 Bills and 1 Joint Resolution were introduced in the Senate.

Bills introduced during the 423^rd session which were of interest to the Maryland School Nutrition Association included:

House Bill 906

Crossfiled with Senate Bill 496

HB906 sponsored by:

Delegates - Lawton, Ali, Barkley, Cane, V. Clagett, Dumais, Gilchrist, Glassman, Glenn, Gutierrez, Healey, Hucker, Ivey, Jennings, Lafferty, Love, Malone, Manno, McConkey, McIntosh, Mizeur, Montgomery, Morhaim, Miemann, Ross, Sossi, Stein, Stull, Tarrant, Taylor, Waldstreicher, and Weir

SB496 Sponsored by:

Senator Raskin

Synopsis:

These Bills would have required each county school board to adopt regulations that established a preference for “locally grown food” in their procurement of food for schools and facilities.  MSNA opposed these bills.

Status at End of Session:

            House Bill – withdrawn

            Senate Bill – No Action

House Bill 566

No Senate Crossfile

Sponsored by:

 Delegates - Kaiser, Bronrott, and F. Turner

Synopsis:

This Bill would establish a Maryland School Health Blue Ribbon Panel to develop recommendations for a Maryland School Health Action Plan.  The Panel would study the 2006 Nutrition and Physical Activity Statewide Plan developed by MSDE and evaluate the potential impact of specified school health measure. The main purpose of the Panel would be to provide an interim (due June 1, 2008) and a final (due June 1, 2009) report of findings and recommendations.  MSNA took no position on this Bill

Status at End of Session:

            House – Unfavorable Report by Ways and Means

            Senate – No Action

House Bill 1199

No Senate Crossfile

Sponsored by:

Delegates Hixson, N. King, Bartlett , Barve, Cardin, Doory, Elmore, George, Gilchrest, Howard, Ivey, Jennings , Kaiser, Krebs, McKee, Murphy, Olszewski, Rice, Ross, Stukes, and Walker

Synopsis:

This Bill would decrease from 40% to 35% the free & reduced eligibility criteria used to determine whether a school qualifies to apply to participate in the Maryland Meals For Achievement In-Classroom Breakfast Program.  No monies were associated with the Bill.    MSNA took no position on this Bill.  HB1199 passed the house with some amendments.  When HB1199 reached the Senate it was amended to simply state that if, at some point, the Governor fully funds the currently eligible schools, then the General Assembly may expand the program.  

Status at End of Session:

            House – Concurred with Senate amendments and passed the bill on the third reading.

Senate - Passed the Bill with amendments on the third reading.

Senate Bill 633/House Bill 91

Sponsored by:

SB633 - Senators Raskin, Forehand, Britt, Madaleno, and Pinsky

HB91 – Delegate Hubbard

Synopsis:

These Bills would prohibit public schools from using food containing or preparing foods with artificial trans fats unless there is manufacturer documentation that the food contained less than .5 grams of trans fats per serving.  The main difference between the two bills is that HB91 excludes foods served directly to patrons in the original sealed manufacturer’s package and SB633 does not exclude food that is served in the original sealed package of the manufacturer.  MSNA opposes these Bills.

Status at End of Session:

            Senate – No action

            House – No action

SB 496 - Rationale for Opposition

Senator:

The Maryland School Nutrition Association (MSNA) opposes SB 496 – Procurement – Public Schools and Facilities – Preference for Locally Grown Foods for those reasons stated in the attached document which originated in Baltimore County .

Thank you for your consideration.

Carolyn Thompson                                 Kathy Thomas

President, MSNA                                   State Legislative Chair, MSNA

The above email and related form voicing The Maryland School Nutrition Association’s opposition to SB 496 – Procurement – Public Schools and Facilities –Preference for Locally Grown Food s w as sent to Senator Raskins w ho sponsored the Bill and to each member of The Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee to which the bill has been assigned.  The committee members are listed below.

Joan Carter Conway, Chairman – District 43 (D) Conway@senate.state.md.us

Roy P. Dyson, Vice Chairman – District 29 (D) Roy.Dyson@senate.state.md.us

Members:

Gwendolyn T. Britt – District 47 (D) Gwendolyn.Britt@senate.state.md.us

Richard F. Colburn – District 37 (R) Richard.Colburn@senate.state.md.us

Janet Greenip – District 33 (R)  Janet.Greenip@senate.state.md.us

Andrew P. Harris – District 7 (R) Andrew.Harris@senate.state.md.us

J. Robert Hooper – District 35 (R) Robert.Hooper@senate.state.md.us

Michael Lenett – District 19 (D) Mike.Lenett@senate.state.md.us

Paul G. Pinsky – District 22 (D) Paul Pinsky@senate.state.md.us

James C. Rosapepe – District 21 (D) Jim.Rosapepe@senate.state.md.us

Bobby A. Zirkin – District 11 (D) Bobby.Zirkin@senate.state.md.us

You may express your opposition to SB4967 by clicking on any or all of the links listed above.

We appreciate your support.

Carolyn Thompson                                 Kathy Thomas

President, MSNA                                   State Legislative Chair, MSNA