March 30, 2026

Ready Report: Energy Relief Debate Continues & Ready Mental Health Bill Passes Senate

The eleventh week of the 90-day 2026 Legislative Session in Annapolis has concluded.

To watch my weekly video update, budget and more, click the picture below.

Ready in the Press

Last week, I joined Fox 45’s Statehouse Spotlight to discuss the Republican Caucus’ proposals to lower energy cost in Maryland. There is a lot that the legislature could do right now to get Marylanders relief. We will keep pushing for long-term renewable energy production as well as realistic climate goals. You can watch the full interview by clicking here.

Good News: Ready Bill Passes Senate Establishing Danger Standard for Mental Health

Senate Bill 707, a bi-partisan effort, would facilitate access to treatment for those

with serious mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, who are unable because of

their illness, to recognize they are seriously ill and need treatment. Maryland is one of the only 2 states, along with the District of Columbia, that has no definition for the danger standard for involuntary evaluation and inpatient treatment, leaving courts and our health system often in limbo. This leads to a small but significant number of people wondering the streets, having to frequently utilize emergency rooms and occupy law enforcement and first responder resources.

The goal is to provide timely treatment to prevent the current consequences of treatment denial that are being experienced: incarceration, suicide, harm to others, homelessness, and brain deterioration from psychosis.

SB 707 passed the Senate on “Crossover Day” and is now being worked on in the House of Delegates. I am hopeful that this bill will be finalized into law to protect Marylanders and our communities.

Carroll Delegation Calls for Delegate Bouchat to Resign

Recently, Carroll County Delegation members became aware that Delegate Eric Bouchat had been showing up to Annapolis in the mornings, recording himself as “Present” on the House floor, and then leaving right away to return to his private business instead of carrying out his legislative duties, skipping literally hundreds of votes and not attending committee. When questioned about this practice both personally and by the media, Delegate Bouchat defended it and said he would continue doing it, functionally quitting on the job while still collecting his paycheck. In my opinion, this is defrauding the taxpayers and negating them of the representation that he was elected to carry out. You can read more from Maryland Matters by clicking here. Fox 45 also ran a story which you can watch by clicking here.

Our other two District 5 Delegates (April Rose & Chris Tomlinson) and I have publicly called  on Delegate Bouchat to resign. Our statement is below:

ICYMI: MPRP Update – Carroll County Commissioners Oppose PSEG’s Motion for Target End Date

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners (BoC) agrees with the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) prior decision to not include a proposed target final date in the Procedural Schedule for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP).

Earlier this month, PSEG Renewable Transmission LLC (PSEG) filed a motion with the PSC again requesting a final target date of March 26, 2027, be added to the procedural schedule for the PSC’s consideration of a request for approval of the MPRP.  An earlier, almost identical request was previously denied. The PSEG motion can be read in its entirety by navigating here and continuing to #744.

Board President Joseph Vigliotti said, “The Commissioners remain committed to standing by our citizens and, as such, we oppose and will continue to oppose PSEG’s self-serving and self-interested motions. In this instance, PSEG would have undermined not only a critically important process by favoring themselves with a set date for decision but would have taken away the ability of our citizens to pursue any number of options in protection of their homes and their property by forcing an end date on them.”

Senatorial Scholarships Available

If you are or know a high school senior or college student, please consider applying for a Senatorial Scholarship.  For more information or to request an application, email Emily Van Horn at [email protected] and include your full address.  Scholarships will be accepted up to April 15, 2026.

It is an honor to represent you in the Maryland Senate. As always, feel free to reach out to my office anytime with questions or concerns. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X for the most up-to-date information.

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