The Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) was the key driver in the creation and passing of Maryland bills HB658 and SB444, "Transforming Manufacturing In a Digital Economy Workgroup (Making It in Maryland)." The bills officially became law on July 1, 2021, establishing a workgroup to study and make recommendations regarding advanced digital technologies shaping the future of Maryland manufacturing including quantum computing, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
RMI's President Mike Galiazzo was instrumental in the creation, drafting and passing of the bills-securing the key legislative sponsors and lobbying for the bills during the past two legislative sessions. SB444 was formally introduced by Sen. Chris West (R-Baltimore County, MD) and HB658 was introduced by Delegate Lily Qi (D-Montgomery County, MD). These were companion bills that became law.
"The passing of these bills into law is a huge victory for Maryland manufacturers and our state's economy," said Galiazzo. "It was a bipartisan stakeholder driven effort. Maryland is already a top state for research and development in manufacturing, and therefore the state was perfectly positioned to pass this first-of-its-kind legislation. The law not only publicly establishes manufacturing as a priority for the state, but will also shape the future of Maryland manufacturing and position Maryland as a national showcase and powerhouse for next-generation advanced manufacturing."
RMI appointed the following representatives from manufacturing companies:
- Kenneth Sanchez, President, Chesapeake Specialty Products, Inc.
- Bob Mather, Vice President-Lean, Industry 4.0 & Advanced Manufacturing, Stanley Black & Decker Global Operations
- Kunjan Tokekar, Director of Industrial Engineering, Volvo Group Trucks
- Thomas VanCott, Ph.D., Chief Technology & Strategy Officer, Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy
- April Richardson, Esq., Managing Partner, Food Opportunity, LLC.
The workgroup also includes individuals from the following organizations: four members of the Maryland legislature appointed by the Senate President and House Speaker; MD Dept of Information Technology (DOIT); Maryland Department of Commerce; Regional Manufacturing Institute; MD Dept. of Labor; Maryland Manufacturing Advisory Board (Dept. of Commerce); Maryland Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (MICUA); Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC); University System of Maryland (USM); Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP); RAMPMD; Maryland Tech Council (MTC); Fraunhofer Center Mid-Atlantic; Maryland AFL-CIO; and Printing & Graphics Association Mid-Atlantic (PGAMA) Maryland Small Business Development Center.
"RMI is the catalyst and driving force for this bill-putting the state on the map as one of the first states to truly harness digital technology to enable next-gen manufacturing. I led this bill because I believe it is vitally important for Maryland to position itself on the cutting edge of manufacturing," said West.
"I was very excited when approached by RMI to sponsor this bill," said Qi. "I believe this focused initiative diversifies our economic industry, allows us to provide middle-wage/skill jobs and attract the industries of the future to Maryland."
Founded in 1990, RMI is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of manufacturers statewide-providing programs, services and advocacy.
For more information contact:
RMI
936 Ridgebrook Road
Sparks, MD 21152
443-844-0047
www.rmiofmaryland.com