Harford County state representatives were able to get several bills signed into law by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore during this year’s General Assembly session.

Last week, Moore took part in his last signing ceremony for the year. Among the legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Harford’s senators and delegates were bills codifying the factors determining child custody, expanding insurance coverage for hearing aids and approving some new benefits for veterans.

State Sen. Jason Gallion, a Republican who represents District 35, including Cecil and Harford counties, had 10 bills passed out of more than 40 he sponsored or co-sponsored.

The failed bills included legislation about how middle-school and high-school students are disciplined. Gallion’s bills included one to approve certain benefits for veterans, such as exempting their vehicles from excise tax.

He also pitched legislation that would require teachers on the career ladder to spend more hours teaching and require school administrators to investigate each school fight. Both failed.

Longtime legislator state Sen. Mary Dulany-James, a Democrat who represents Cecil and Harford in District 34A, was involved with 16 successful bills out of 31 she helped propose.

They included creating a commission to study health-insurance pooling and extending a deadline for a task force to report on forming a Division of Returning Citizens and Expanded Reentry Services.

Republican Del. Susan McComas, of District 34B, said she’s proud to have passed a bill codifying child-custody determinations.

“There’ll be one book that the judges can look at, the lawyers can look at,” McComas said. “I do believe that it’s gonna be very helpful for everybody… The worst thing you can do is have these parents [in custody situations] fighting over everything.”

A bill sponsored by Harford County’s Del. Teresa Reilly and Gallion to expand access to hearing aid coverage also passed. The new legislation is an addition to a law that went into effect Jan. 1 allowing adults 19 and older to receive insurance coverage for hearing aids. Hearing aids cost thousands of dollars and often aren’t covered by insurance plans.

Republican Sen. J.B. Jennings, who represents Baltimore and Harford counties in District 7, touted his successful bill offering hiring credits to veterans and their spouses. It goes into effect Oct. 1.

“It’s the least we can do for those who have volunteered to serve and their spouses, who, in many cases, put their careers on hold or sacrifice through interruptions in honor of their partner’s military pursuit,” Jennings said via email. “It’s something I’m proud of and I think will positively impact Marylanders, especially those who have served in Harford County. There were a few veteran bills that I’m proud to have co-sponsored that bring equality to the branches of service in the eyes of Maryland and support veterans.”

Jennings was also glad to see the passage of legislation to fund reserve accounts for condo owners, “which is similar to a bill I sponsored, Senate Bill 292, and offers more flexibility with funding reserve accounts for condominium owners. I’m glad that some legislation was passed to support condo owners, who I know have been struggling to adapt to the law regarding reserve accounts.”

He was among the local Republican elected officials who said they have been frustrated by Moore’s budget bill.

“I pushed for delays, freezes and cuts, but in the end, the supermajority were able to push through a massive budget that is great for those in need, but is carried on the backs of so many hardworking Marylanders at a time when it’s already tough to get by,” he said. “I’m concerned about the [3 percent] tech tax too, which I debated on the Senate Floor. The tech tax has been tried before in Maryland about 18 years ago and it didn’t work. I’m not sure why we are repeating this failed tax?”

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