2026 End of Session Letter

As the 449th Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourns, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the constituents of Legislative District 27B, who have entrusted me to represent their interests in Annapolis for the past four years. Every day of this session, I was reminded of exactly why representing Calvert and Prince George’s Counties is where I am meant to be.

Whether you reside in Clinton, Cheltenham, Brandywine, Aquasco, Upper Marlboro, Eagle Harbor, Baden, Lower Marlboro, Sunderland, Owings, Dunkirk, North Beach, or Chesapeake Beach, your voices have been heard and respected. Your active participation and invaluable insights have not only shaped the legislation we have worked on, but continue to have a significant impact. We are immensely proud of the work we have accomplished together for Prince George’s and Calvert Counties, which, despite their unique challenges, share a common goal: creating a better state for all Marylanders.

Throughout this session, the House maintained a relentless focus on the three priorities Speaker Peña-Melnyk identified at the outset: affordability, accountability, and opportunity. Affordability comes first, because if people cannot afford to live and raise a family here, little else matters. Marylanders have been hit hard by inflation, illegal tariffs, devastating federal government cuts, and now gas prices that are a dollar higher per gallon than when the session began.

AFFORDABILITY

ENERGY

A significant challenge we faced this session was the rising cost of energy for Maryland ratepayers. My office received dozens of calls from constituents asking what could be done to address increasing utility bills. As a member of the Environment and Transportation (ENT) Committee, I made energy affordability a top priority. From the beginning of the session, I worked to advance real solutions that would provide both immediate relief and long-term stability to our energy system.

I was proud to serve as a cosponsor, floor leader, and to cast a green vote in support of the centerpiece of Maryland’s affordability efforts, the Utility RELIEF Act, which delivers real relief for ratepayers who have seen utility costs double or even triple in recent years.

The Utility RELIEF Act delivers meaningful results for Maryland households:

• At least $150 a year returned to Marylanders

• Prohibits utilities from charging ratepayers for excessive employee compensation Requires data centers to pay fairly for their impact on the grid

• Prevents households from bearing the cost of extending power lines to distant developments

• Pauses speculative forecasting practices that drive up costs

ACCOUNTABILITY

DATA CENTERS

As Maryland continues to grow and attract large-scale developments, particularly energy-intensive facilities like data centers, I have remained focused on ensuring that this growth is managed responsibly and does not come at the expense of everyday residents. While these projects can bring opportunity, they also place significant strain on our energy grid and can contribute to rising utility costs if left unchecked.

This session, we took meaningful steps to address this issue by advancing legislation requiring large energy users, including data centers, to pay for the infrastructure necessary to support their operations. This ensures that the cost of expanding and maintaining the energy grid is not shifted onto ratepayers who are already facing increasing monthly bills.

Equally important, I do not support the expansion of data centers without meaningful public input. While zoning decisions are handled at the local level, I have continued to voice my opposition to data center expansion in District 27B. Communities deserve a real voice in decisions that directly impact their neighborhoods, infrastructure, and quality of life. That means ensuring a transparent review process where residents are fully informed, actively engaged, and given the opportunity to weigh in.

If a community expresses opposition after that process, that decision should be respected.

These policies also strengthen transparency by requiring detailed reporting on how large-scale developments impact our energy grid and long-term infrastructure needs, while encouraging contributions to clean energy and grid reliability.

IMMIGRATION

A major concern this session has been the safety and well-being of Maryland residents. I have heard your concerns clearly—about your safety, your families, and your communities. Whether you have been directly impacted by ICE activity or are concerned about the broader implications of 287(g) agreements, your advocacy has mattered.

I was proud to support House Bill 444 and the Community Trust Act, which work together to protect Maryland residents and prevent local law enforcement from being compelled to participate in federal civil rights violations. These measures help keep families together, build trust between communities and law enforcement, and affirm the dignity of our immigrant neighbors.

Additional legislation strengthens transparency in immigration enforcement, ensures accountability for misconduct, and protects schools and courthouses from federal interference. My support for these policies is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their communities.

ACROSS THE DESK

By the end of this session, I was proud to pass four pieces of legislation to Governor Wes Moore’s desk. Since being sworn into office in 2023, I have sponsored more than ten bills that have been signed into law.

• HB 552 establishes a commission to investigate the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, seeking truth, accountability, and historical justice.

• HB 1096 strengthens notification requirements for property tax credits, improving awareness and access.

• HB 426 allows certain civil actions to be paused while guardianship petitions are reviewed, protecting vulnerable individuals’ assets.

• HB 1196 requires the Maryland Department of the Environment to develop an action plan for enforcing water quality standards.

2026 CAPITAL WINS FOR DISTRICT 27B

This year, I was honored to be elected Vice Chair of the Southern Maryland Delegation. I was proud to secure:

• $250,000 for the Harriett Elizabeth Brown Statue

• $25,000 for North Beach Black Box Theatre

• $50,000 for Wilmer’s Park Site Planning

• $50,000 for the Baden Food Pantry

• $50,000 for the Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex

• $50,000 for American Legion Post No. 227 expansion

PUBLIC SAFETY

Illegal street racing and excessive speeding remain serious concerns, particularly along MD-210, MD-5, and US-301. I supported legislation advancing point-to-point speed cameras along MD-210 to improve enforcement and deter dangerous driving.

BUDGET

The FY27 budget achieves balance through disciplined decision-making without raising taxes. It includes investments in transportation, education, public safety, and economic development.

EDUCATION

The budget fully funds the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and includes a $2.5 billion investment in higher education. It also expands access to affordable child care, supporting working families and early childhood development.

HEALTHCARE

Maryland remains committed to healthcare affordability and access, preserving coverage for 140,000 low-income residents. The session also included major investments in behavioral health services and reforms to improve oversight and care for vulnerable youth.

SCHOLARSHIP

My 2026–2027 Legislative Scholarship is now open to graduating seniors, current college students, and returning scholars. I encourage all eligible students to apply: https://www.jeffrielong.com/scholarship

UNTIL NEXT TIME

This is a brief overview of the legislation I supported this session. For more information, please contact my office. During the interim (April–December), please allow up to 48 hours for a response. For urgent matters, email jeffrie.long@house.maryland.gov.

I also want to thank my incredible team—Kiara Wilson and Anthony Devone—for their dedication and hard work throughout the session.

Although we adjourned on April 13th, there is still more work ahead. I encourage you to stay engaged with my team and me. Your participation is essential to ensuring effective representation. Thank you again for the honor of serving as your representative. I look forward to continuing our work together.

Best,

Delegate Jeffrie Long