Delegate Wayne Hartman previews upcoming General Assembly

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The 2026 Maryland Legislative Session will be starting on January 14th at the Annapolis statehouse. This will be the 449th session of the General Assembly to convene.

Delegate of District 38C, Wayne Hartman is beyond excited. He has several priorities ahead during the upcoming meetings.

He tells WDM that the state of Maryland needs to become a more competitive state versus our neighbors. According to data provided by the state Comptroller Office, many residents are leaving the state for others.

There will also be a focus on the energy crisis that has devastated our state. That along with solar companies who are actively trying to lease farmlands due to the changes over local oversight.

Delegate Hartman has remained steady in his approach to offshore wind. The proposed plan is for U.S. Wind to construct 114 wind turbines 10 miles off the Ocean City coast. The delegate said that it’s all about standing up for the Eastern Shore.

“Rural legislators like myself on the Eastern Shore out in Western Maryland are too long of a commute to go back and forth, it’s a sacrifice for us, our families, and our businesses.”

He adds that being in the minority as a Republican is difficult. However, he explains that he and his delegation will continue to fight the good fight.

“Being in Annapolis is challenging and mentally exhausting at times. It’s some tough work, and when you are in the super minority, it’s even more challenging to make bad things better.”