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Legislative Update- March 24, 2011

March 25, 2011

Legislative update - March 24, 2011

  • Hearings were held for our proposed legislation increasing the cigarette tax $1.00 (total $3.00) and taxes on other tobacco products by 75% (total 95%) of whole sale and designating the first $21 M in revenue to tobacco control and additional revenue to expand Medicaid to adults without children living at 113% FPL.  Unfortunately, this bill received an unfavorable report from both the house and senate committees. We will revisit this priority next session.
  • ACS provided written and oral testimony in opposition to legislation granting one cigar bar in downtown Baltimore a permanent exemption from the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007.  This bill is the priority bill for ACS.  We have lobbied all the key members on committee and have slowly been increasing the firm committee votes in opposition to the bill. 
  • The Governor’s Health Care Exchange legislation was heard in House Health and Government Operations Committee.  ACS provided written and oral testimony in support with amendments of the legislation.  The Lt. Governor is working closely with the health care advocates on “consensus” amendments.  The consensus amendments have been submitted to the committee for consideration.  We have forwarded the amendments for ACS CAN policy review and comments.
  • A hearing was held March 15 in the House Economic Matters for a bill expanding the definition of cigarettes to include small cigars.  Small cigars are currently taxed at 15% of wholesale.  Cigarettes are currently at $2.00 tax per package.  ACS supports this bill and provided oral and written testimony.
  • ACS provided written and oral testimony in support of legislation prohibiting the sale of other tobacco products to minors and prohibiting self-serve displays of other tobacco products.
  • Legislation has been introduced prohibiting the sale of cigars in packages fewer than four.  ACS testified in support of this bill.
    Hearings were held in both the House and Senate on legislation prohibiting youth under the age of 18 from using tanning beds.  Skin cancer prevention advocates including the American Cancer Society provided excellent oral arguments.