ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Monday issued an emergency order prohibiting garnishment of Economic Impact Payments provided under H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

“For more than a year now, COVID-19 has caused incredible hardships for the people of our nation and our state,” said Governor Hogan. “This funding is intended to support working families and struggling Marylanders, and we are committed to doing everything possible to protect this much-needed relief for those who need it most.”

The governor’s order provides that (1) American Rescue Plan Act Economic Impact Payments are exempt from, and shall not be subject to, garnishment; and (2) all financial institutions are ordered to consider these payments as protected and cannot be subject to a court-ordered garnishment.

In April, the governor issued an emergency order prohibiting garnishments of CARES Act Recovery Rebates.

President Joe Biden, meanwhile, is reportedly already planning to include the first major tax hike in close to 30 years in the next economic spending bill set to follow his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.