2025 Proposed House Bills
Happy New Year! As your Delegate representing Carroll and Frederick Counties, I am excited to announce that the 2025 legislative session is officially underway. This year, I’m hitting the ground running by introducing five key pieces of legislation that address governance, history, and representation.
House Bill 28: Constitutional Amendment – Form of County Government – Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule
This proposal calls for every political subdivision in the state to adopt a local constitution featuring separately elected executive and legislative branches, each organized into single-member districts. No other state has fully embraced a genuine federal system of governance across all levels, ensuring constitutional government and separation of powers as envisioned by Madison and Hamilton in the Federalist Papers.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, it’s time for Marylanders to move beyond the remnants of colonial British rule. Commissioner-style government undermines the separation of powers guaranteed by the State’s Declaration of Rights. To honor the bravery and legacy of the “Maryland 400,” who played a crucial role in saving the Continental Army during the Battle of Brooklyn, we must embrace this essential reform.
House Bill 77: Commission to Study African American Civil War Sailors in Maryland
Building on the success of last year’s legislation honoring African American Civil War soldiers, this bill creates a commission to research and commemorate Maryland’s African American Civil War sailors. Their contributions to our nation’s history deserve recognition and preservation.
House Bill 96: Enhancing Representation and Accountability
This bill revises eligibility requirements for General Assembly membership and adjusts election timing for state senators to reflect the principles of reserved continuity as seen in the U.S. Senate. Our Founding Fathers believed it wise to protect the Senate from drastic electoral shifts driven by public passions, ensuring stability and thoughtful governance.
House Bill 203: Fair Redistricting and Single-Member Districts
This legislation promotes equitable representation through two key measures:
- Single-Member Districts: Requiring single-member legislative districts ensures focused and fair representation.
- Citizen Redistricting Convention: Following each census, 188 citizens, elected from county delegations based on population, will gather in Annapolis to redraw Congressional and General Assembly districts using non-partisan ballots. Smaller counties will have a minimum of three delegates, while larger ones like Montgomery and Baltimore City will have proportionally larger delegations.
Allowing legislators to draw their own districts is akin to welders inspecting their own work on bridges or aircraft—it undermines trust and fairness. By transferring redistricting authority to the people, we adhere to the foundational principles of Madison and Hamilton, ensuring that citizens, not political leaders, decide our districts.
House Bill 278: Supporting Maryland Agriculture
This bill provides an income tax subtraction modification for enhanced agricultural management equipment, encouraging investments in sustainable, modern farming tools.
The proposed legislation authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to determine, by regulation, which equipment qualifies as enhanced agricultural management equipment. This allows certain expenses related to the purchase and installation of such equipment to be subtracted from gross income. As technology evolves and new agritech equipment emerges, this bill ensures the Department has the flexibility to classify new types of equipment without requiring additional legislation for each innovation.
By supporting farmers, we strengthen one of Maryland’s most vital industries while promoting environmental stewardship and innovation.
What’s Next?
The Maryland House of Delegates operates with a hybrid format for committee work in the 2025 session, allowing testimony both in-person and online. Bill hearings, starting January 8, 2025, will be scheduled on the Maryland General Assembly website, with pre-filed bills prioritized. Witnesses can sign up to testify online up to 48 hours before hearings, and the committee chairs will determine hearing durations. Bills that pass through committees will undergo “second reading” and may be amended before proceeding to “third reading” for a final vote in the House Chamber. For full details and to check the status or to learn more about this legislation, visit Maryland General Assembly. If you are interested in submitting either written or oral testimony in support of any of my 5 bills summarized above, please let me know. I’m happy to assist with the process and ensure your voice is heard during the legislative session.
Let Your Voice Be Heard:
I want to hear your thoughts on these bills and other issues impacting our community. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping our legislative agenda. Please reach out to my office to share your perspectives or ask questions.
Warm regards,
Delegate Christopher Eric Bouchat
Proudly serving the people of Carroll & Frederick Counties