Monday, March 11, 2013

Spotlight on Maryland

The first topic on Lowell's handout which covered Maryland bills on gun control and the death penalty was not covered in today's meeting. This is strange since these bills are attracting national attention. Fortunately, we have Ken to remind us of the importance of local issues.

Here is nice summary by Ken of currents issues pending in the Maryland legislature. (Note: this blog post has be updated from an earlier post with current news from Ken)



1) Firearm Safety (SB281/HB294)
 
Either bill could be sent up to the House floor at any time.  Sending up the Senate-passed SB281 would expedite the process.  It will still have to go through a barrage of amendments in the House.
 
 
(2) Death Penalty Repeal (SB276)
 
The Senate passed SB276 27-20 with Senator Kittleman (LD9) voting YES and Senators Kasemeyer (LD12) and Robey (LD13) voting NO.  The House Judiciary Committee voted 14-8 almost immediately to send it unamended to the the House floor, where it could be acted on at any time now.
 
 
 
(3) Offshore Wind Energy (HB226)
 
After House passage of HB226, the Senate amended and passed it 30-15. Senators Kasemeyer and Robey voted YES and Senator Kittleman voted NO. Final passage would require that the differences be resolved and this is expected.
 
 
(4) Corporate welfare for Lockheed Martin ?
 
That’s what SB631 and identical HB815 are called by David Moon of the blog Maryland Juice.  Senate Bill 631 is on the Senate floor and ready for passage there.  House Bill 815 had a hearing on Feb. 28 in the House Ways and Means Committee on which Howard County Delegate Frank Turner (LD13) sits.
Here are the bills along with the Fiscal and Policy Note explaining them.
 
 
Here are the comments of the blogger:
 
 
(5) Voters’ Rights Protection (HB220)
 
This anti-dirty tricks in elections bill is ready for House passage on the floor.
 
 
(6  Fund transportation projects via gas tax increase (HB1515/SB1054)
 
House Bill 1515 is scheduled for hearing on Fri., Mar. 15 in the House Ways and Means Committee.  The identical Senate bill is still in the Rules Committee.  Here are the Administration-backed bills and an explanation of them by WJLA-TV:
 
 
(7) Medical Marijuana Decriminalization (HB1453)
 
House Bill 1453, sponsored by Del. Anderson of Baltimore City and others, would decriminalize marijuana use, possession, or sale and is scheduled for hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Mar. 19.
 
 
Ken Stevens
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