Economic Development - Maryland Financial Empowerment Center Network Pilot Program - Establishment
What this bill does
Establishing the Maryland Financial Empowerment Center Network Pilot Program in the Department of Commerce; providing that the purpose of Program is to establish a statewide network of financial empowerment centers in different regions of the State; requiring each center to provide one-on-one financial counseling and coaching services free of charge; and requiring the Governor to include in the annual budget bill for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 an appropriation to the Department sufficient to cover the costs of the Pilot Program.
Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.
Testimony (29)
MGA witness list| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Arnold, Tyahna | Ashlar Government Relations | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Muckle, Lonialobbyist | CASH Campaign of Maryland | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | MacDonald, Lesley | City of Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Ashton, Monique | City of Rockville | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Ball, County Executive Calvin | Co Ex Calvin Ball- Howard County Government | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Cook, Kerri | Housing Initiative Partnership/Financial Empowerment Center | Oral |
| FAV | Richards, Evanlobbyist | Maryland Bankers Association | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | May, Lisalobbyist | Maryland REALTORS | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Postmus, Dean Judy | University of Maryland School of Social Work | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Caucus, Maryland Legislative Latino | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Delegate Spiegel, Delegate Spiegellegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Harris, Mrs. | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Kraska, Jennylobbyist | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Spiegel, Ryan | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Price, Suzanne | Concerned Citizen | Position only |
| UNF | Schulze, Dana | USAF Veteran | Position only |
| UNF | DOrazio, Peter | Year | Position only |
| UNF | Diefenbach, Linda | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Ditraglia, Frank | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Elbourn, James | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Lang, Alan | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Nelson, Mary | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Phelps, Mary | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Sirkel, Robin | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Vernon, Michael | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Williams, Peggy | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | sirkel, jess | Individual | Position only |
| INFO | Desai, Kant | Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund | Written (PDF) |
| INFO | Anderson, Kevin | Maryland Department of Commerce | Written (PDF) |