Jay Jacobs (politician)

Jay A. Jacobs (born January 28, 1953) is an American politician from the Republican Party who is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 36th district since 2011.

Background
Jacobs was born on January 28, 1953, in West Palm Beach, Florida. He graduated from Kent County High School. Jacobs has owned his own business, Jay A. Jacobs Complete Kitchens and Baths LLC, since 1986.

Jacobs served as the mayor of Rock Hall, Maryland, from 1999 to 2011. He was mayor when Tropical Storm Isabel struck the fishing town in 2003, which damaged more than 100 buildings, including half of the town's motels and inns, and the town's public pier.

In the legislature
In July 2009, Jacobs announced that he would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 36, seeking to succeed retiring state delegate Mary Roe Walkup. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary election, and defeated Democratic nominee Arthur Hock in the general election in November 2010. He was sworn in as a member of House of Delegates on January 12, 2011, and has served as a member of the Environment and Transportation Committee during his entire tenure. Jacobs has also served as the chair of the House Republican Caucus since 2013.

Personal life
Jacobs is married to his wife, Dawn, who served as the mayor of Rock Hall, Maryland, from 2019 to 2023. Together, they have two adult daughters.

Agriculture
In 2011, Jacobs opposed legislation to ban menhaden oil products, suggesting that the state instead establish sanctuaries for menhaden.

During the 2012 legislative session, Jacobs said he opposed legislation that would require the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to cover the costs of managing fisheries with fishing license fees.

In 2014, Jacobs introduced legislation to allow the use of hydraulic dredges to catch clams south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. In 2016, Jacobs introduced a bill that would allow hydraulic clamming south of the Verrazano Bridge.

During the 2018 legislative session, Jacobs opposed legislation that would require the state to track air pollution from poultry farms.

Education
In January 2020, Jacobs said he opposed the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, citing its cost. He later predicted that the Blueprint would require the state to raise taxes to fully implement, which would "stir up" voters.

During the 2023 legislative session, Jacobs introduced legislation to provide voting rights to the student member of the Kent County Board Education. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.

Environment
In January 2012, Jacobs said he opposed Maryland's "Rain Tax".

During the 2021 legislative session, Jacobs introduced a bill that would prohibit the state from entering into an agreement waiving its authority under the Clean Water Act relating the relicensure of the Conowingo Dam.

Gun policy
In July 2012, Jacobs celebrated a federal court decision overturning the state's ban requiring gun owners to show "good or substantial reason" to open carry. During the 2013 legislative session, he voted against the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.

Social issues
During the 2012 legislative session, Jacobs voted against the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland, saying that he believed that "conventional marriage is opposite sex couples".

In 2014, Jacobs said he supported a bill to ban the sale of extreme-strength liquors in Maryland.

Taxes
During the 2013 legislative session, Jacobs voted against a bill to index the state's gas tax to inflation to pay for transportation projects.

Other issues
In January 2014, Jacobs said he opposed the legalization of cannabis in Maryland and a bill to raise the minimum wage, which he claimed would threaten businesses on the Eastern Shore.

During the 2018 legislative session, Jacobs introduced, but later withdrew, legislation that would ban a proposed second Bay Bridge from being built in Kent County.