In 2024, Cathi sponsored a bill to help families of children with disabilities save money tax-free, by having school systems better promote Maryland ABLE – a vital but underutilized program that helps families pay for qualified disability expenses. The bill passed, and public school systems across the state will now need to discuss the program during meetings with parents/guardians.

Cathi sponsored successful legislation in 2024 that allows the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) to better administer its Cyber Maryland Program and Fund. This initiative creates a much-needed talent pipeline in cybersecurity and serves as a hub for state workforce development and research. She also secured sustained annual funding for this important program.

As Chair of the House Oversight Committee on Pensions, Cathi works to improve state pension systems and assure their integrity. In 2024, she sponsored legislation that closed a loophole which allowed sheriffs running unopposed for re-election to retire before the election, begin to collect their pension, then rejoin the force at full salary. This new law makes make the system more fair for all who participate.

This bill passed into law in 2023. It rights a wrong done to retirees in same-sex marriages who receive a pension from the State Police Retirement System, Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System and Judges Retirement System. Until now, individuals who listed their same-sex partner as the recipient of a survivorship benefit before marriage equality became law, had to accept a reduced pension. Cathi’s bill ensured that these retirees receive the same pension as any married person. It was an issue of fundamental fairness.

Cathi led the fight to restore confidence in Maryland’s “529” college savings plans. In 2021, participants in the Prepaid College Trust were promised interest payments on their investments. But these payments were later revoked and recalculated at a much lower interest rate. Families were left without the money they were guaranteed. Hearing the frustration of so many constituents, Cathi introduced a bill in 2023 that became law, abolishing the Board overseeing the Trust, and moving oversight to the state treasurer. Since then, these Marylanders have been repaid the interest promised to them.

In 2023, Cathi sponsored legislation that created the Cyber Maryland Program. Its goal is to train the most advanced and diverse cyber/IT workforce in the nation. These are high-paying jobs that often don’t require a college degree. Cathi’s legislation paired the state’s current investment in cybersecurity with additional funding for career and technical education that is part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

This bill gave Baltimore County Public Library employees a greater say in library operations, by having the right to join a union and collectively bargain. Cathi and her Senate co-filer spent months assisting with negotiations between management and employee representatives. The bill finally won support from both parties, and became law in 2021.

Passed into law in 2023, this bill enabled the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) to form as a nonprofit with autonomy over the federal funding they receive. This change also allowed them to apply for grants to help even more people with disabilities fully participate in all aspects of society.

This bill gave Marylanders who are blind better representation on the Maryland State Library Board. It also modernized the name of the state’s library for blind readers to the “Library for the Blind and Print Disabled,” so it better reflects 21st century terminology. The bill passed into law in 2020.

Cathi introduced HB 1238 in 2021, to help more low- and middle-income families save for college. It closed a loophole that led to abuse of the state’s Save4College program, making more money available for those with the greatest need. That bill became law. In 2022, she introduced HB 444, which closes another loophole and also became law.

Maryland has some wonderful, professional contractors. But sometimes, jobs aren’t done properly, or go unfinished. Cathi’s legislation, which became law in 2022, increased the amount a homeowner can receive from the MHIC Guarantee Fund by 50%. It was the first increase since 2008, and will allow homeowners to recoup more of the money they’ve spent on faulty home improvement projects.

After hearing concerns about racist and anti-Semitic language that remained in older property deeds, Cathi introduced this bill to make it easier to remove. This language does not belong on any legal document. Her bill passed unanimously into law in 2020, and received national media attention.

The Preservation Alliance of Baltimore County does a remarkable job recognizing and preserving our rich history. But they were limited in what they could do by a very small budget that had not increased since 2006. HB 446, which Cathi introduced in 2022, increased the group’s funding by 40%. It did so by raising the share of fees the Alliance receives from courthouse marriage ceremonies — which is their primary source of funding. The bill became law that year.