Last week Governor Hogan remained true to his word and vetoed H.B. 1, the mandated sick and safe leave legislation strongly opposed by ABC and the entire Maryland business community. Barring a special session of the Maryland General Assembly, the veto will be taken up as the first order of business when the Legislature reconvenes in January, 2018. The bill passed by a 29-18 vote in the Senate. They will need all 29 votes to override the Governor’s veto. There are already plans underway by the business coalition to lobby those Senators who voted for the bill  to get them to change their vote and support the veto. While making the announcement, he also stated he had issued three Executive Orders dealing with this subject. They are:

1. The establishment of a Committee on Paid Leave to be chaired by Secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Kelly Schulz. The Committee will undertake a comprehensive study of the needs and proposed policies for paid leave in Maryland which will be done in consultation with all relevant employer and employee stakeholders. The report is due by December 1, 2017. ABC will work with the Committee to provide input from the construction industry.

2. The Governor will provide temporary Executive Branch employees with paid leave and encourages representatives of the Legislative and Judicial branches of government to do the same.

3. Within the State procurement process, provide preferences to bidders that currently provide paid sick leave.