Welcome to UULM-MD

A Brief Update on UULM-MD's 2012 Legislative Issues

Since there is still a possibility that one or more of the issues that UULM-MD has worked on during the 2012 Session of the Maryland General Assembly may come up for debate during a Special Session to work on the budget, if there is a Special Session, this is a very preliminary update.  To see a brief description of the content of these bills, scroll down this page to the section on 2012 Legislative Priorities or go to the General Assembly's Home Page and enter the bill number (i.e. HB 438, etc.) for more information about the bill, including a Synopsis, names of sponsors, committee votes, amendments and more.   

The Civil Marriage Protection Act (HB 438)--This bill passed the House 72-67 and the Senate 25-22 and was signed by Governor Martin O'Malley on March 9, 2012.  To see how your legislators voted, go to the Maryland General Assembly's  website page for the bill .  Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Third Reading for the House on February 17th and, since the Senate voted on the House Bill, the Third Reading for the Senate on February 23rd to see the Roll Call votes.  For information about Marylanders for Marriage Equality, which includes UULM-MD, go here.

The Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 (SB 237/HB 441)--The House of Delegates passed this bill 88-47, but it stalled in the Senate Finance Committee.  To see how your Delegates voted, go to the website page for this bill.   Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see the March 27th Third Reading Roll Call vote information.  It is expected that this bill will be re-submitted in 2013.  For information about the environmental coalition, Marylanders for Offshore Wind which includes UULM-MD, go here.

The Maryland Health Benefit Act of 2012 (SB 238/HB 443) passed the Senate 35-11 and the House 94-44.  To see how your legislators voted, go to the website page for this bill, scroll to the bottom of the page and you will be able to see the roll call votes for both the Senate and the House.  Click on the Third Reading for the House on March 22nd and the Third Reading for the Senate on March 30th.  For more information about this issue and the coalition supporting it, including UULM-MD, go here.

Health Care: Tobacco Tax-Healthy Maryland Initiative (SB 526/HB 1153) was part of the tax package being considered to balance the budget that was not voted on before the end of the 2012 Session.  If the Governor calls for a Special Session to reconsider the budget, this bill may be part of the discussion.  To read more about this bill, click here.  For more information about this issue and the coalition supporting this measure, including UULM-MD, go here.

Tobacco Tax-Maryland Tobacco-Free Kids Initiative (SB 631) was also part of the tax package and may be discussed if there is a Special Session.  To read more about the bill, click here.  For more information about this issue and the coalition supporting it, including UULM-MD, go here.

Human Relations-Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity-Antidiscrimination (SB 212) had a hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, but no action was taken.  No action was taken in the House.  For more information about the bill, click here.  It is expected that this bill will be re-submitted in 2013.  For more information on this issue and the coalition, including UULM-MD, that is supporting it, click here.

Death Penalty Repeal (SB 872/HB 949).  Even though the complete repeal of the death penalty in Maryland continues to gain support among the public and in the General Assembly, this bill received an Unfavorable report from the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and did not emerge from the House Judiciary Committee.  It is expected that this bill will be re-submitted in 2013.  Fore more information about this issue and the coalition, including UULM-MD, supporting it, click here.

The Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 

Did your Maryland Delegate vote in favor of the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012( HB 441)? To find out, go to http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/billfile/HB0441.htm and scroll down to the bottom of the page for the Third Reading Roll Call vote on March 27th.

If your Delegate voted in favor of the bill, please send an email thanking him/her. You can find an email contact by going to http://mlis.state.md.us/mgaweb/mail32.aspx.

And.....Don't forget Governor O'Malley! This was an administration bill and we need to thank him for his support. His email link can be found at http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/.

If you would like to see a sample letter, you can find one here, but one personalized with your own words will have more impact.

Let's show that there is still a "Circle of Support" in Maryland for cleaner air and clean, alternative energy!

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UULM-MD's 2012 Annual Meeting

Thanks to everyone who attended the 2012 UULM-MD Annual Meeting on January 28th.  A special thanks goes to our distinguished panel, Maryland Delegates Tom Hucker, Heather Mizeur, Sandy Rosenberg and Mary Washington, who made such informative and motivational presentations. 

At the Business Meeting, those present approved the Board of Directors recommendations for issues for 2012.  UULM-MD will continue to support legislation in the areas of:

• Marriage Equality and GLBT rights:The Civil Marriage Protection Act of 2012(SB 241/HB 438) and The Gender Identity Antidiscrimination Bill (SB 212);
• Climate Change and Reduction of Global Warming: Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 (SB 237/HB 441);
• Health Care Reform:  The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012 (SB 238/HB 443) and the Tobacco Tax-Healthy Maryland Initiative (SB 526/HB 1153);
• Repeal of the Death Penalty (SB 872/HB 949) in Maryland.

In addition, the Board's recommendation that a task force be established to determiine how UULM-MD can best participate in the DREAM Act Referendum was accepted.

In order to be successful with these important issues, your help is crucial.  Please let us know how you can help by contacting us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 410-266-8044, ext. 111.

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Why We Stand

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The Maryland  General Assembly has passed and the Governor has signed The Civil Marriage Protection Act of 2012! 

On Thursday, February 23, 2012, the Maryland Senate passed The Civil Marriage Protection Act of 2012, voting 25-22 and Governor Martin O'Malley signed the bill into law on Thursday, March 1, 2012!  

But our work may not be over!  Foes of marriage equality are already gathering signatures on a petition to have a referendum on the issue placed on the November, 2012 ballot.  If they succeed, UULM-MD will be working with Marylanders for Marriage Equality and other coalition members to educate the public about this bill, including the fact that it provides protections for religious groups who prefer not to perform same gender marriages.  We will need your help!  You can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  if you'd like to be involved.

Please contact your senator and delegates who voted for the bill and thank them for supporting ending marriage discrimination against same gender couples in Maryland.  You can find the name of your legislators here.  You can find your legislators' email address here.  You can also call 1-800-492-7122 and ask to be connected.

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2012 Legislative Priorities

The priority bills for UULM-MD during the 2012 General Assembly session are listed below. 

Marriage Equality:The Civil Marriage Protection Act of 2012 (SB 241/HB 438) would end marriage discrimination against same gender couples. To read UULM-MD’s background statement on marriage equality, click here.

Transgender Rights:The Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act (SB 212) would extend to transgender citizens anti-discrimination laws in the areas of employment, housing, and credit. For more information on UULM-MD’s position on transgender rights, click here.

Climate Change:Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 (SB 237/ HB 441) would set up a more market-friendly process to incentivize offshore wind development, while including stronger provisions to protect consumers, to promote in-state jobs, and to ensure positive net benefits to the state. The bill is modeled on an approach already adopted by New Jersey’s state legislature with bipartisan support. For more information on UULM-MD’s position on climate change, click here.

Health Care: The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012 (SB 238/HB 443) would provide the framework for the Health Exchange to implement provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act. For more information on UULM-MD’s position on health care, click here.

Health Care: Tobacco Tax-Healthy Maryland Initiative (SB 526/HB 1153) would increase the tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco products to bring it more in line with the tax on cigarettes.

Repeal of the Death Penalty: (SB 872/HB 949) Passage of this legislation would end the use of the death penalty in Maryland.