Monday Night Session:
Third Reader Bills Highlighted/controversial bills included HB-347 which would require additional permitting for certain corporations. Once again, these bills increase the burden on Maryland businesses and often results in diminished economic returns.
HB-667 would require all school employees across the state to be union members and pay mandatory dues. There was much debate on the issue. 10-counties currently have unions and the bill would force the same conditions on all of the remaining counties. There were attempts to amend the bill to require audit oversight and minimum participation numbers but they were all rejected. Ultimately the bill moved to Third Reader without any amendments.
Tuesday Judiciary Hearings:
Third Reader Bills
HB-1106 would allow the sealing of a Search Warrant Affidavit while an investigation is ongoing on a 30-day basis with 30-day extensions allowed by the court.
HB-1232 would allow for the issuance of a Search Warrant via electronic means. This bill would recognize the digital nature of current law enforcement applications and would speed the process under many circumstances regularly encountered by law enforcement.
HB-1453 would decriminalize the use of marijuana for minimum amounts. The bill also creates a taxation of the drug for revenue collection in the state.
HB-1185 would create a specific charge for 2nd Degree Assault of a health care worker. We heard from many nurses and the respective Health Care Association advocates about the need for this type of charge to be implemented.
Tuesday Judiciary Voting Session:
Bills Approved: HB-129, HB-443, HB-542, HB-777, HB-792, HB-857, HB-942,
HB-1407
Wednesday Judiciary Committee:
HB-1490 would place a prohibition on the right to refuse a chemical test of their breath or blood in cases of drunk or drugged driving for someone who has previously been detained for DWI who refuses a required test. It would place a $1000 fine and a one year jail sentence as potential penalties.
HB-565 would make it a crime to sell a vehicle in Baltimore City that would be illegal to operate in Baltimore City.
Bills Approved: HB-14, HB-489, HB-604, HB-889, HB-909, HB-952
Thursday Morning Session:
Third Reader Bill Link There were a few debated bills on Third Reader: HB-328 which provides for “crony capitalism” on behalf of many special breaks being provided for biotech firms. All businesses in Maryland need a break and giving it to a very narrow sector may encourage their growth and development at the expense of all others. HB-361 provides for some implementation language for Obama Care. It provides for the bureaucracy regarding implementation and funding. It is fraught with regulations and fees. HB-224 would relax the penalties
Thursday Judiciary Committee Hearings:
HB-1523 seeks to significantly restrict the collection and storage of DNA for evidentiary purposes. It would set provisions whereby samples could be collected and would establish the procedures for storage. As written, it would restrict law enforcement in many ways from retaining samples or from the collection of samples from convicted sex offenders.
Bills Approved Wednesday Night by Judiciary Committee: HB-396, HB-428, HB-478, HB-541, HB-631, HB-698, HB-854, HB-941, HB-985, HB-1263, HB-1281, HB-1382, HB-1394, HB-1396, HB-1408 B-1396 HB-H
Friday Morning Session:
Bills Approved on Third Reader Debated Bills: HB-1170 which channels state money in certain programs to “sustainable growth” and development and would deny money to communities who do not adopt the state standards for growth.
Saturday Morning Session:
Bills Approved on Third Reader
Saturday Evening Session:
Bills Approved on Third Reader Debated Bills: HB-863 which is the “Fair Share Act” for certain colleges and universities in Maryland. It would require that all of the employees become paying members of the State Teachers Union. Until this time this has been an option for the employees.
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