SB 518

Maryland Financial Empowerment Center Network Pilot Program - Establishment

Sponsor: Nancy J. King (District 39)Committee: Budget and TaxationSubject: Social Services - GenerallyStatus: Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Establishing the Maryland Financial Empowerment Center Network Pilot Program within the Office of the Comptroller 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 2028 and 2029 an appropriation to the Comptroller sufficient to cover the costs of the Pilot Program.

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Testimony (25)

MGA witness list

FAV 22FavorableUNF 3Unfavorable

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Martinez, Anabell	CARECEN-Central American Resource Center	Written (PDF)
FAV	Muckle, Lonialobbyist	CASH Campaign of Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Muckle, Lonialobbyist	CASH Campaign of Maryland	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Linn, Emily	City of Gaithersburg	Written (PDF)
FAV	Lierman, Brooke	Comptroller of Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kovacs, Lisa	Maryland Association of Local Management Boards	Written (PDF)
FAV	Richards, Evanlobbyist	Maryland Bankers Association	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Zelaya, Michellelobbyist	Maryland Catholic Conference	Written (PDF)
FAV	Silver Canady, Tisa	Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness	Oral
FAV	Orbe, Jr., Carlos	Maryland Latinos Unidos	Written (PDF)
FAV	McGee, Christalobbyist	Maryland Realtors	Written (PDF)
FAV	Frey, Leslie	Montgomery County	Written (PDF)
FAV	DuMez, Jacob	Protect Borrowers	Written (PDF)
FAV	DuMez, Jacob	Protect Borrowers	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	DeCheubel, Leeza	Rural Maryland Council	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kaplowitz, Richard KAP	Year	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kaplowitz, Richard KAP	Year	Written (PDF)
FAV	Hessler, Thereselobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	King, Senator Nancy	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Krone, Christinelobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Senator King, Senator Kinglegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Senator King, Senator Kinglegislator	Individual	Oral
UNF	Price, Suzanne	Concerned Citizen	Position only
UNF	Mauer, William	Individual	Position only
UNF	Tibbals, Trudy	Individual	Position only

Organizations on record

CARECEN-Central American Resource CenterFAV 1

CASH Campaign of MarylandFAV 2

City of GaithersburgFAV 1

Comptroller of MarylandFAV 1

Concerned CitizenUNF 1

Maryland Association of Local Management BoardsFAV 1

Maryland Bankers AssociationFAV 1

Maryland Catholic ConferenceFAV 1

Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial WellnessFAV 1

Maryland Latinos UnidosFAV 1

Maryland RealtorsFAV 1

Montgomery CountyFAV 1

Protect BorrowersFAV 2

Rural Maryland CouncilFAV 1

YearFAV 2

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVMuckle, LoniaCASH Campaign of MarylandRegistered for: CASH Campaign of Maryland

FAVRichards, EvanMaryland Bankers AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Bankers Association

FAVZelaya, MichelleMaryland Catholic ConferenceRegistered for: Maryland Catholic Conference

FAVMcGee, ChristaMaryland RealtorsRegistered for: Maryland REALTORS; Maryland Association of Realtors

FAVHessler, ThereseRegistered for: City of Gaithersburg; Elevate Recovery Centers; Evolve Kids Care; Evolve Life Centers; High Roller Technologies; Laila's Gift…

FAVKrone, ChristineRegistered for: American Coatings Association; Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; City of Rockville; Coordinating Center for Home and Community Care, The, LLC (dba The Coordinating Center); Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work, Inc.; LifeSpan Network…