Note: Clicking on the title will redirect you to all fiscal and policy notes written by Caroline Boice during that session. These analyses are hosted on the Maryland General Assembly website.
Selected analyses are highlighted below. Highlighted analyses were chosen primarily based on the analysis or background writing, not necessarily the topic. Some were chosen because they are referenced frequently. The Department of Legislative Services provides nonpartisan staff support for the Maryland General Assembly, including fiscal and policy analysis of all bills. Not all bills become law. Unless noted, analyses reflect bills in their final stance as approved by the General Assembly.
This page is in the process of being updated
HB 1430 (2025) — Teachers: Career Ladder Compensation & National Board Certification Study
Replaces permanent career-ladder salary increases with four-year annual stipends (generally half the current amounts) starting July 1, 2025; reduces the maximum State share for maintaining National Board Certification; and requires MSDE to evaluate NBC efficacy using MCAP results and report by Sept 1, 2030.
HB 1 (2021) — Historically Black Colleges & Universities – Funding
Mandates $577M for Maryland’s HBCUs across FY2023–FY2032 with specified FY2023 allocations and formula-based distributions thereafter; establishes an HBCU Reserve Fund, permits CRF substitution, and creates a 10-staff MHEC program-evaluation unit with annual reporting requirements.
Fiscal & Policy Note (PDF) · Chaptered law (Ch. 41, 2021) · Bill page
SB 407 (2024) — Community Colleges: Capital Projects State Share Adjustment
Targets a higher State share in the Community College Construction Grant Program when a county’s median household income is in the State’s bottom quartile and the project’s baseline State share is 50%; the local share is reduced to match the nearest adjacent college share below 50%, with the State share increased by the same amount (effective July 1, 2024). Statewide totals aren’t materially affected, but higher shares for eligible projects can crowd out others in a given year. MHEC noted only Garrett College would have qualified in the past decade (example increases from 50% to ~69%, ≈$2M additional State share across two projects).
SB 426 (2023) — USM Board of Regents: Quasi-Endowment Funds
Authorizes one-time transfers up to $150M from USM fund balances to a quasi-endowment; investment income (per USM spending rule) supports need-based student aid. Illustrative impacts in the note: Treasurer 1.06% vs. Foundation ~2.1% returns and ~4.25% payout (~$6.4M/yr for scholarships beginning FY25), subject to market risk.
Fiscal & Policy Note (PDF) · Bill page · Chapter law (Ch. 735, 2023)
SB 610 (2023) — Virtual Education (Requirements)
Overhauls virtual schooling: sets approval/standards, teacher-prep training for online instruction, device/access and service requirements, and allows virtual days for severe weather (after local board action). MSDE security upgrades drive at least $100k (FY24) and $500k (FY25) GF costs.
Fiscal & Policy Note (PDF) · Bill page · Chapter law (Ch. 804, 2023)
SB 540 (2022) — Higher Education: Transfer Platform (Transfer With Success Act 2.0)
Requires a statewide transfer platform (MHEC or delegated to USM) and makes participation mandatory for public institutions (and certain nonpublics); sets a 70% learning-outcomes equivalency standard for accepting credits; codifies timelines for evaluations/updates. Fiscal note assumes existing ARTSYS costs/fees continue with no material net impact; alternatively, without fees, ~$1.0M GF annually would be needed.
HB 421 (2021) — Tax Clinics for Low-Income Marylanders
Establishes the Tax Clinics for Low-Income Marylanders Fund and directs $250,000 from Unclaimed Property proceeds in FY22–FY23; beginning FY24 the Governor may include an appropriation. Funds are distributed in equal thirds to UM Law, UB Law, and MVLS to support clinics assisting low-income taxpayers with disputes.
Fiscal & Policy Note (PDF) · Chapter law (Ch. 678, 2021) · Bill page
