An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for excuses from attending school.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carolyn Comitta and 9 co-sponsors

Prohibits state, local governments and fund recipients from using public funds to provide any payments to CSPOA, including dues, trainings, and conferences.

Referred to Education

SB 77 — State and Local Finance: Use of Funds — Prohibition (Summary)

Status / Key dates
- Bill number: SB 77
- Short title: State and Local Finance — Use of Funds — Prohibition
- Introduced: January 2025 (first reader Jan. 13, 2025)
- Assigned to: Budget & Taxation (Maryland)
- Effective date if enacted: June 1, 2025 (per bill text)
- Primary sponsors: Senators Waldstreicher and Sydnor

Purpose / intent
- Prohibit Maryland state and local governments (and entities that receive public funds) from using public appropriations to provide funding or payments to the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA). The intent is to bar public financing of membership dues, trainings, certifications, conferences, or similar payments to that specific organization.

Major provisions
- Adds a prohibition at the local-government level (proposed new Local Government §1‑1321):
- A county or municipality — including units thereof — may not use public funds to provide funding or payments to CSPOA (explicitly includes membership dues, trainings, certifications, and conferences).
- Any organization that receives public funds from a county or municipality is prohibited from using those funds to provide funding or payments to CSPOA.
- Adds a prohibition at the State level (proposed new State Finance & Procurement §7‑240):
- An officer or unit of State government may not use any part of an appropriation to provide funding or payment to CSPOA (same enumerated categories).
- Any organization that receives funds appropriated by the State may not use those funds to provide funding or payment to CSPOA.

Who would be affected
- Directly affected:
- State agencies, officers, and units that manage or expend appropriated funds.
- Counties, municipalities, and their subunits that use public funds.
- Organizations (e.g., nonprofits, contractors, local entities) that receive public funds from the State or from a county/municipality and that might otherwise channel such funds to CSPOA.
- Indirectly affected:
- CSPOA, which would be barred from receiving public funding under the statute.
- Vendors, trainers, or conference hosts associated with CSPOA activities if payment would come from public funds.

Fiscal and implementation notes
- Fiscal note (Department of Legislative Services): no substantive change to State activities; not anticipated to materially affect local government finances; no small business effect.
- Implementation would likely require agencies and local governments to review grant/contract language and internal disbursement controls to ensure funds are not directed to CSPOA, and to confirm compliance by subrecipients.

Other notable points
- The bill language is narrowly targeted to one organization (CSPOA) and specific types of payments. It does not attach criminal penalties in the text; it operates as an appropriations/use-of-funds restriction.
- If enacted, agencies and local governments may need to adopt or update guidance and reporting practices to document compliance.