The SACC Holds 2026 Post Legislative Session Forum and Luncheon

Five members of Maryland’s Lower Shore State Legislative Delegation gathered on Thursday, April 16th at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center to recap the just concluded 2026 Maryland General Assembly Session during the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Post Legislative Session Forum and Luncheon, presented by Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Zach Evans, SACC Past Board Chair and Director of Mountaire Cares & Stakeholder Affairs, moderated the forum.

Legislative actions and inactions were the centerpieces of the discussions shared by Delegation members. All the delegation members commented on the recently concluded General Assembly session which addressed a state budget deficit of $1.4 billion dollars, soaring energy costs for businesses and residents, and the challenges faced keeping the business environment in Maryland competitive.

Senator Mary Beth Carozza commented on a Bill she sponsored (SB270) which would require a cost benefit analysis on all energy producing industries in Maryland. The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate, but Carozza lamented, “in the end, I had to vote against the Bill after the House added amendments that changed the intent of the legislation.” Senator Carozza also spoke about the emergency legislation she supported on CAFO permits which the Maryland Department of Environment inexplicably allowed to expire in July of 2025. She commented, “The emergency legislation fixes this permit issue which could have severely damaged Maryland’s poultry industry.”

Delegate Barry Beauchamp addressed HB 460, which he sponsored. The Bill would decrease the required priority preserved acreage for solar installations from five percent to two percent. Beauchamp added, “Maryland was founded on farming and fishing, where would our state be if we didn’t protect those.”

Delegate Chris Adams commented on HB 461, a Bill he co-sponsored with one other Republican Delegate Jeff Ghrist. This proposed legislation will use state resources to train grant writers from small municipalities to Maryland non-profits. Adams shared “Part of the intent of this bipartisan Bill is to strengthen opportunities for these entities given an uncertain Federal environment and the state budget woes. This training is critical for the survival of small towns and our non-profits in Maryland.”

Delegate Tom Hutchinson sponsored a regulatory reform Bill, HB 1079, which would streamline state licensing processes. “Virginia has this in place, and they saved mover $1.2 billion dollars over two years.” In the end, the fiscal note killed the Bill for this year, but Hutchincon assured the audience that he will introduce this legislation again in 2027.”

Senator Johnny Mautz spoke about the invasive blue catfish issue plaguing our state fisheries. Mautz sponsored SB610, which would aid Maryland’s waterman in helping them continue to push the commercial market for this invasive bay species. He added, “We need incentives to build this market given the pressure the blue catfish has placed on our other bay fish species.”

The Delegation all spoke about next years General Assembly Session and some of the challenges they anticipate. Among those, including the push for another hike in the minimum wage, the ongoing affordability crises in Maryland and how Maryland will address the severe shortage in housing, which is now a driver of any quality economic development opportunities in Mayland.

The SACC wishes to thank Senator Mary Beth Carozza, Senator Johnny Mautz, Delegate Chris Adams, Delegate Barry Beauchamp, Delegate Tom Hutchinson, for attending the forum and for their service to the Lower Eastern Shore, and thank you to Presenting Sponsor Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore, Media Sponsor 47abc WMDT; and sponsors Chesapeake Utilities, Delmarva Chicken Association, Salisbury University, Somerset County Economic Development, Talkie Communications, Taylor Bank, TidalHealth, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Whitehead Real Estate Executives.

The May General Membership Luncheon featuring Jonathan Daniels, Executive Director of the Maryland Port Administration, takes place on Thursday, May 21, 11:30 AM -1:00 PM, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804.

Register at salisburyarea.com. Members – $35, Non-Members – $45, includes a full lunch.