2024 TOP PRIORITIES

MTC is looking to build on our momentum and progress in 2024. This coming year will bring much change as Maryland welcomes a new gubernatorial administration and new members and leadership changes in the Maryland General Assembly. Rest assured, MTC will connect with new leadership on behalf of our companies and continue to communicate the enormously beneficial impact our member companies have in the State and across the globe. We will continue our work to position Maryland as the pre-eminent location for technology and innovation in the United States. Specifically, we will continue to accelerate our sharp focus on policies, programs, and initiatives that bolster our innovation economy, ensure Maryland’s competitiveness, and that enhance our workforce pipeline. See below our top priorities for the upcoming 2024 Legislative Session.

SUPPORTING BIOHUB MARYLAND

MTC is advocating before the Administration and General Assembly for $6 million in State operating funds to support the expansion of BioHub Maryland. BioHub Maryland is MTC’s signature initiative to accelerate the development of a highly skilled biopharma manufacturing workforce to support the life sciences industry. The program will create high paying career opportunities for Marylanders of all educational backgrounds.

COMPREHENSIVE DATA PRIVACY LEGISLATION

Legislation to establish comprehensive online data privacy laws will be considered in Maryland this Session. Some states have passed such laws and it is being considered in many others. MTC supports a comprehensive approach to regulating online data privacy and will advocate that Maryland follow the lead of other states that have passed laws already, that compliance not be overly burdensome, and that no new private rights of action are created

SENSIBLE REGULATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The widespread integration of AI in nearly every aspect of our everyday lives presents a legitimate challenge for policy makers. Last Session, a number of workgroups were proposed to grapple with the implications of AI and to make recommendations to lawmakers. We advocated for MTC to be at the table for these conversations and will continue to do so as this issue is debated in 2024.

DRUG PRICING

Maryland was the first state in the country to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), which is now in the process of selecting drugs for potential price controls such as upper payment limits. The PDAB’s authority is presently limited to the state and local government insurance markets. MTC will continue to advocate that the PDAB process not negatively impact the development of life saving medications and therapies, and will resist efforts to expand the PDAB’s authority before its initial work can be evaluated.

SUPPORT FOR STRATEGIC INDUSTRIES – DATA CENTERS

MTC will support efforts intended to develop key industry sectors in Maryland. This year, we expect a focus on the burgeoning data center industry and legislation to alleviate numerous regulatory hurdles experienced by the industry to date in Maryland. MTC supported legislation in 2020 to enable tax incentives to foster the data center industry in Maryland, and we will continue to support new legislation intended to promote continued investment in this key technology industry sector.

ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

MTC has consistently supported initiatives to incentivize the technology sector and establish Maryland as a top state for innovation. MTC has also supported tax policies to make the state more economically competitive and has opposed tax proposals that would stifle investment. Every Session brings new programs and policies relevant to economic growth and innovation, and we will continue to advocate on behalf of the life sciences and technology sectors.