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Updates from Annapolis

February, 5 2026

Things have been busy in Annapolis this legislative session! Here is a breakdown of what’s been happening with our legislation.

Learn More About Our Priority Bills  

SB 593/HB 837 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Screening Questions for Student Athletes: We have held our first hearing in the House this week and had a great hearing! Thank you to Patrice Bullock and Dr. Shah for testifying in the House! We have strong support in the House Ways and Means Committee. We are working to add some friendly amendments and hope to see this moving quickly.

HB1048/SB866 Informed Dining (Sodium/Added Sugar Labeling at Chain Restaurants): We had strong hearings in both the House and Senate this week! We saw strong testimony from Gail Harris-Berry, Patrice Bullock, and Abby Synder as well as our partner organization CSPI. The committees were very interested in the bill and generally support. We have work on amendments and with the Health Department to see this bill pass. Look for calls to be needed on this issue in the coming weeks. People get it, but the devil is in the details to get a strong bill passed.

HB 704/ SB 586 Healthy School Meals CEP Funding: We had supportive hearings on School Meals. We do not expect funding this year, but we believe that there will be reporting requirements passed that will help maximize federal funds and most importantly get more kids fed healthy meals!

Tobacco Bills:

SB 249 Closes a loophole in our Tobacco Retail Licensing and has already made it to the opposite chamber!!! We are very excited to see this wonderful bill moving so quickly.

HB766/SB 623 Cigar Bar Bill: This bill was heard in both the House and Senate this week. We had strong hearings, but we are hearing from the Senate that they want to allow this exception and Chair Beidle is leading the charge on limiting, but allowing Cigar Bars in the state of Maryland.

SB 279/HB918 Allows Baltimore City to pass stronger tobacco control laws: we are fighting hard to see a good version of this bill move!  This is moving in the Senate! It is on a vote list in the Finance Committee and we are watching to make sure it stays strong!

Tobacco Control Budget Heard in the Senate this week and will be hear in the House February 18th

Things are moving quickly, watch your email for updates from Annapolis to get the latest on what is happening on the ground.