MACPA's Legislative Executive Committee and the CPA Committee for Political Action (CPA/CPA) met in the fall to create MACPA's Legislative agenda for the 2009 Session of the Maryland General Assembly

The 426th session is set to begin on January 14, 2009 through April 13, 2009. MACPA has been in Annapolis representing CPAs since the original Accountancy Law was enacted on April 10, 1900 – our 109th year. Every year our 188 legislators (47 Senators & 141 Delegates) meet and discuss over 2,500 piecse of legislation. MACPA's role is to protect the CPA license from harm and enact necessary laws to enable CPAs to practice as the business environment changes.

We expect a big turnout of CPAs at our CPA day in Annapolis on January 28, 2009 at the Governor Calvert House in Annapolis. Join us as we review the key issues and send our CPAs up to the “hill” to meet with their representatives, followed by a two hour CPE session, and concludes with lunch with the legislature as they join their CPAs seated by district.

We are hoping for a record turnout to make sure our representatives know our Profession cares about these issues and to prove once again that those who “holler the loudest” tend to get their way.

1. Changing CPE rules to be more flexible for Accounting Educators
2. Stopping Sales Tax on Accounting, Tax & Consulting Services (again!)
3. Stopping the Lawsuit Tax as Trial Lawyers attempt to change Maryland's Tort system
4. Watching for possible negative legislation like the 2% payroll surcharge for insurance in the 2,500 pieces of legislation that will be introduced during the 90 day session

This agenda has been exposed to over 1,000 members during the Fall town hall series and received a 96% approval rating. Based on this level of support and the numbers of CPAs, I am looking forward to another successful year in the legislature.

Looking back at last year, we had one of our most successful years in our history as we accomplished the following major victories:

1. Passed our “mobility” legislation to be among the first states (now at 31) to pass this important licensing concept that allows temporary practice privileges for out-of-state CPAs and reciprocal privileges for Maryland CPAs in the other 30 safe states. Bottom-line major savings of time and money as CPAs were required to be licensed in over 45 states for even the filing of tax returns! MACPA overcame opposition by the unlicensed accountants (MSA) and the DLLR to pass this legislation.
2. Amended the Tax Preparer Licensing legislation to exempt CPAs (and out-of-state CPAs) and your staff from extra licensing fees, additional CPE, and more regulatory oversight. Working with the Sponsor we changed the terminology to “registered tax preparers” and added a requirement for a public disclosure that they are “not CPAs, taxattorneys or emrolled agents.”
3. Defeated Sales Tax on Accounitng & Tax services during the special session
4. Amended the Corporate Tax Reporting legislation to eliminate the jail penalty and limit the unnecessary disclosures in the original bill that passed during the special session.

We were assisted by over 750 CPA members who took time to attend CPA Day, testify during hearings, write e-mails and make phone calls.

I think we are ready for the 2009 legislature and look for day by day updates on this blog. See you at CPA Day!