The political temperature in Annapolis just went way up. A Maryland proposal known as the "Not On Our Dime" Act has touched off a sharp fight between lawmakers pushing new penalties for certain charities and Jewish leaders who argue the measure effectively targets Israel. Backers say it is about preventing state-linked resources from indirectly helping displacement. Critics warn the language could chill humanitarian giving and turn routine committee hearings into hostile territory.
What's in the bill
House Bill 1184 would bar certain registered nonprofits from aiding or abetting activity by the government of Israel or Israeli citizens, authorize the Maryland attorney general or harmed individuals to bring civil actions for injunctive relief and damages, and require the Secretary of State to remove organizations found in violation from the state's Registry of Charitable Solicitation, according to Maryland General Assembly records. The measure was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee and was scheduled for a committee hearing last Wednesday.
Community pushback in Annapolis
Leaders of Maryland's Jewish organizations say the measure, along with a package of related bills, unfairly singles out Israel and has rattled congregations and communal institutions in the state capital. "The Jewish community feels particularly now under threat," Howard Libit, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, told reporters, as reported by WCBM.
What sponsors say
Delegate Gabriel Acevero, the bill's chief sponsor, maintains the measure is not aimed at a particular nation or religion and is intended to keep Maryland from indirectly supporting displacement. He said the goal is to ensure the state is not indirectly supporting actions that contribute to violence, a line he and allies say is focused on settlement activity rather than ordinary charitable giving, according to comments he made to The Baltimore Sun and cited by WCBM.
Other related measures
Lawmakers have also filed companion measures that go after public investing and contracting. One bill would direct the State Retirement and Pension System to review and divest certain Israeli holdings and bar some new investments in Israeli interests, according to the Maryland General Assembly. Sponsors describe the package as a coordinated effort to ensure state dollars do not support activities tied to settlement expansion.
Legal and fiscal questions
Legislative trackers and analyses note that the proposals could invite litigation and drive up administrative costs. Fiscal summaries cited by bill trackers flag potential increases in expenditures for the attorney general's office and the prospect of damages awards. Opponents told committees that broadly worded civil penalties and long statutes of limitation could chill lawful charitable activity and raise constitutional and statutory challenges, points lawmakers and legal advisers said they are weighing as hearings continue, according to TrackBill and other legislative trackers.
The measures remain under committee review, and several hearings are still on the calendar. Advocates on both sides say they will keep pressing lawmakers in Annapolis as the session moves toward possible floor votes. Legislators could amend the bills or fold portions into other legislation before the session ends, leaving the outcome very much in doubt.
