Maryland lawmakers pass restrictions on law enforcement working with ICE, utility bill relief

Maryland lawmakers passed a bill Monday to curb the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies before Sine Die, the end of the 90-day, 2026 legislative session. 

The Community Trust Act further limits local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE to very limited cases, including those who are convicted sex offenders or convicted felons.  

The bill passed the House after a lengthy debate over the weekend. Late Monday, it passed the Senate by a 32 to 15 vote. 

This comes after the General Assembly passed a ban on 287(g) agreements earlier this session, after pressure to address the Trump Administration's immigration policies.

"A lot of sheriffs then promptly turned around to find a loophole in the new law that we just passed,"  State Sen. Clarence Lam, who sponsored the bill, told WJZ-TV. "This bill is incredibly important to be able to close off that loophole, to make sure that our counties and corrections facilities don't turn into the front door of an ICE  deportation machine."

In the final minutes of debate, Republicans argued this would be hurtful to Marylanders and said this could make Maryland a sanctuary state.

"This bill goes a lot further than just regulating some of how we interact with ICE. This is basically saying we can't talk to ICE about serious criminal people who commit serious criminal acts. It's really dangerous," State Sen. Justin Ready, who is the minority whip, told WJZ.

It now heads to Gov. Wes Moore and is considered emergency legislation, meaning it would go into effect immediately if the governor signs it. 

The legislation has outraged some sheriffs, including Jeff Gahler, in Harford County.

"This is going to propel Maryland to the ultimate sanctuary state status," Gahler told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren. "We're going to be alone at the top of the pile, saying if you're a criminal, illegal alien, and you want to prey on victims, Maryland loves you."

Gahler is attending a meeting of Maryland sheriffs this week and said they will decide how they can fight the legislation. 

"We will be meeting tomorrow after sine die to see what finally passes and have those discussions," Gahler said. "I would like to say we have a path forward. I'm not familiar with one, so we have to take it day-by-day and actually see what passes. I can promise you that it will be a topic of discussion tomorrow."

Gov. Moore could sign the bill as early as Tuesday afternoon. WJZ reached out to the governor's office for comment, but has not heard back.

Bills that are not passed by midnight will be considered dead, but they could be reintroduced during the next session. 

After Sine Die, the Maryland General Assembly does not reconvene until January 2027. 

$150 utility relief 

Maryland's House and Senate both passed a bill that provides relief on your gas and electric bills.

The Utility RELIEF Act gives Marylanders $150 a year, which amounts to $12.50 each month. 

"In Maryland, Democrats and Republicans have come together to say enough. Enough with the gaslighting. Our people need relief now," Gov. Moore said  

He vowed to sign the Utility RELIEF Act in response to high bills. 

The legislation cuts an energy efficiency surcharge to provide the $150 to customers.

It also regulates data centers, which are big users of power, and makes them pay for utility grid upgrades.

"Data centers are done dictating what rules they will follow. Under this law, data centers will pay for the grid upgrades that they need and not the people of the state of Maryland," Moore said. 

It also limits customers paying for utility employee salaries above $258,000.

Several Republicans were critical. 

"They didn't do anything that's going to bring new energy and a new generation back to the state, and to see the governor continue to blame President Trump for this. No, he has to take a look at the Democrats in the General Assembly. They've created the policies. They are what has made energy costs more expensive," said Minority Leader Steve Hershey. 

BGE's full response 

BGE, Pepco and Delmarva Power issued the following joint statement to WJZ: 

"We appreciate Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly for their focus on addressing energy affordability for customers across the state. At a time when families and businesses are feeling pressure from rising costs, this is an important conversation and one we share every day as we work directly with our customers."  

"The Utility RELIEF Act includes several meaningful steps that will help customers in the near term, including expanded access to energy assistance, a continued focus on affordability by ensuring large-load customers pay their fair share of grid modernization costs, and increased financial support for limited-income households by accelerating and funding a discounted rate mechanism BGE, Delmarva Power, and Pepco were instrumental in developing. These are important tools that can make a real difference for customers who need it most, and we are committed to helping connect eligible customers with every available resource."  

"At the same time, it is important to ensure that well-intended policies do not create unintended consequences for customers over the long term. Policies that limit how utilities plan, invest, and recover costs can make it more challenging to maintain the safe, reliable energy system that customers depend on every day and may ultimately increase costs or delay critical infrastructure investments."  

"Energy affordability and reliability must go hand in hand. We remain committed to working with state leaders and stakeholders to implement this legislation in a way that delivers immediate relief while also supporting the long-term investments needed to keep energy safe, reliable, and as affordable as possible for Maryland customers."

Self-driving vehicles & crosswalk cams

Another bill that was considered in both chambers would allow for autonomous vehicles to operate on highways in Maryland. 

Waymo, an autonomous ride-share service, testified in support of the bill, saying the company needs more regulations and permission from the state before it can begin operations. The self-driving cars have sparked concerns in other cities, including in Austin, Texas, after a video showed a Waymo vehicle temporarily blocking traffic for emergency crews. 

HB938 would allow for automated crosswalk cameras to be installed in Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Prince George's counties. The measure passed the House, but is still being considered in the Senate. Under the bill, drivers could face a $65 fine. The funds would contribute to improving sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure. 

A bill that would designate the extinct Megalodon as the Maryland state shark stalled in the Senate. Supporters of the bill argue that the shark has a rich history in Maryland, with fossils and teeth often found in the Calvert Cliffs area. 

The Informed Dining Act, which would require restaurant chains to identify menu items that have high sugar or sodium, passed the House, but was still being considered in the Senate. 

Bills signed into law

So far during the 2026 legislative session, Gov. Wes Moore has signed several bills into law. 

Last week, the governor signed a $70.8 billion budget into law for fiscal year 2027, saying it will not raise taxes or fees. The budget was crafted to address the state's nearly $1.5 billion deficit. 

In February, the governor signed two emergency bills into law, ending 287(g) agreements in Maryland. The agreements allow local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE to make immigration arrests. The law will eliminate the state's eight agreements by July 2026.