Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
Monday Evening Session:
Tuesday Morning Session:
Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #15
Third Reading Passed (80-56)
Third Reading Passed (95-41)
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Special Order Calendar
Third Reading Passed (131-6)
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HB-240 is a bill which will place mandates on local government as it relates to recycling numbers when it comes to waste disposal. This centralized approach is going to cost Marylanders when county governments will have to change policies to meet set goals by the state. Interestingly enough, it was also highly opposed by many environmental groups who objected to some of the burning standards attached to the bill. While most republicans voted no, we were also joined by several democrats. Sadly, the bill was not defeated.
HB-740 involves another infusion of state money into cyber security efforts to encourage more of these companies to come to Maryland. This is truly crony capitalism in that it favors and promotes one type of business over every other business in the state. In fact, this is one sector of our economy that is growing and thriving on its own and does not need additional incentives. The vote was along party lines with the republicans voting against this type of favoritism.
Tuesday Afternoon Judiciary Committee Hearings:
There were 30 bills addressing various firearm regulations. They were set up in 9 groupings: Crimes-4 bills; Handgun Permits-7 bills; Assault Weapons and Detachable Magazines-4 bills; Purchase of Firearms-4 bills; Handgun Qualifications Licenses-2bills; Handgun Safety Measures-2 bills; Disqualifiers for Ownership/Possession-2 bills; Bow Hunting-2 bills; Miscellaneous-3 bills.
HB 36 Del Smigiel Public Safety - Handgun Permit - Applicant
Qualifications
HB 42 Del Cardin Public Safety - Firearms - Application Approval
Before Sale, Rental, or Transfer
HB 60 Del Smigiel Repeal of the Firearm Safety Act of 2013
(Jointly assigned to JUD and HGO)
HB 62 Del Smigiel Rgltd Frarms-Lic Issued by Delaware, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, or West Virginia - Reciprocity
HB 90 Del Simmons Regulated Firearms - Disqualifying Crime -
Domestically Related Crime
HB 94 Del Arora Crim Law - Prohib on Manufacture of Detachable
Magazine or Firearm Receiver - 3-D Printing
HB 115 Del Conaway Task Force to Study Firearms and Global
Positioning Satellite (GPS) Devices
HB 122 Del K. Kelly Public Safety - Assault Weapons and Detachable
Magazines - Possession or Transport by Nonresident
HB 215 Del Cluster Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Renewal Period
for Retired Law Enforcement Officer
HB 262 Del Beitzel, Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for
et al Protection
HB 286 Del Valentino Criminal Law - Use of Handgun in Crime of Violence
Smith, et al or Felony - Statute of Limitations
HB 521 Del Haddaway Firearms - Handgun Permit Requirements - Handgun
Riccio Qualification License Holders
HB 623 Del Simmons Public Safety - Crim Justice Information System -
Integration With Md Automated Firearms System
HB 659 Del Szeliga Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Transport
Through State
HB 712 Del Smigiel Crimes - Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a
Crime - Diminution Credits and Sentencing
HB 713 Del Smigiel Public Safety - Handgun Safety Devices - External
Safety Locks
HB 715 Del Smigiel Public Safety - Handgun Identification
Requirements - Repeal
HB 716 Del Smigiel Public Safety - Handgun Qualification License -
Qualified Handgun Instructors and Permit Holders
HB 717 Del Smigiel Public Safety - Firearms Safety Training -
Demonstration Component
HB 719 Del Smigiel Public Safety - Firearms - Probation Before
Judgment
HB 720 Del Smigiel Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Training
Requirement
HB 800 Del K. Kelly, Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Training
et al Requirement for Renewal Applications
HB 818 Del Smigiel Regulated Firearms - Lic'd Dealer or Secon Seller
- Natl Instant Crim Bkgd (NICS) Check
HB 919 Del K. Kelly Public Safety - Transport of Weapons on School
Property - Retired Law Enforcement Officer
HB 934 Del Smigiel Firearms - Application for Prchs and Reqd Registr
- Use of Term "Voluntary" Registrant Prohibited
HB 995 Del Dwyer Firearms Freedom Act
HB 997 Del Beitzel Criminal Law - Competition Shooting and Match
Shooting - Firearms Exemption
HB 1005 Del Bromwell Firearms - Handgun Permit Requirements - Retired
Military
HB 1199 Del Clippinger Possession of Loaded Handgun or Regulated Firearm
- Enhanced Penalties
HB 1356 Del Glass Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for
Protection
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The hearings began at 1pm and continued until 11:30pm. There are clearly some issues that need to be addressed in Maryland which some of the bills spoke to today. The first is the issue of Maryland becoming a “shall issue” state when it comes to Conceal Carry laws. The “good and substantial” reason applied by the Superintendent of the State Police severely limits the issuance of any permits. It has left many to consider going to an “Open Carry” with their rifles and shotguns (which has been verified as legal by Attorney General Gansler). Many expressed their frustration with the state and their thoughts of moving to Open Carry if the state does not allow for greater permitting of residents.
There were a couple of bills designed to strengthen punishment on offenders who utilize a firearm in the commission of their crimes. We also listened to bills that would eliminate “good time” styled credits for prisoners who are serving a sentence involving a gun crime.
We also heard about several bills to modify last year’s SB-281 regarding training requirements and other needed modifications. It is apparent that the State Police have adapted some of the components of the bill in a way that was never intended by the General Assembly. Some of these include clear amendment changes that I offered in committee and on the floor in shaping this bill. The current training requirements are a good example and some of these bills sought to move the state back to the original intent expressed last year.
HB-623 bears watching this year. The bill would require the MSP to link their gun database with the Criminal Justice Information System database. Due to some of the changes in law over the years, it is estimated that upwards of over 100,000 gun owners in Maryland may unknowingly be disqualified from possessing certain firearms. The bill calls for an expansion of the MSP to provide personnel for the purposes of tracking down these owners and seizing their firearms. The bill remains in committee at this time.
Wednesday Morning Session:
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Second Reading Passed with Amendments
This is the Minimum Wage Bill.(Press Release) It will raise the wage to $10.10 over the next two years and is one of the signature bills for the O’Malley administration this year. Today, there were a series of amendments offered on the bill. They all attempted to address the concerns of businesses across the state. It became clear that the Six Flags Theme Park in Prince Georges County was exempted from this bill and for the same reasons (seasonal employment), I sought to exempt similar workers in Ocean City. There was a strong debate on the issue and the exchange is a great example of how the sausage is made in the Maryland General Assembly. Here is a link for you to listen. Ultimately, my amendment was defeated, as was the case with all of the floor amendments offered. The bill now goes onto Third Reader on Friday morning.
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Wednesday Afternoon Judiciary Hearings:
HB-635 would allow a health care provider to offer an apology to a patient or grieving family member and not withhold these types of statements for fear of being sued and held liable for inferred guilt due to an offered apology. Sadly, this is a needed bill.
HB-809 would remove protections from liability for local government in cases where an injury and claim arise out of the use of an artificial turf field which is owned and maintained by a government entity.
HB-930would alter the amount of damages that could be sought for non-economic damages in civil cases. The new limit would be $500,000. We heard from some folks who were severely injured and the current limits did not cover their needs.
HB-996 would make certain written records of health care officials accessible and usable for civil suit purposes. Currently, some of these types of records are shielded.
HB-1009 this is similar to HB-930 relating to catastrophic injuries.
HB-1221 provides for the methods for acquiring information from internet source providers when a tortuous complaint is being alleged from an anonymous source.
HB-1271 would address notifications on lead paint.
HB-1302 would void and eliminate certain requirements for civil claims contained within certain contracts. In particular it would eliminate the requirement for a party to pay for attorney fees associated under certain actions.
HB-1344 would establish a task force to study the prevention of sexual child abuse. I don’t think we need to fund a study, but we could use more money for law enforcement and victim services.
Thursday Afternoon Judiciary Hearings:
HB 29 Del Gutierrez Maryland Law Enforcement Trust Act
HB 539 Del Rosenberg Task Force to Study the Implementation and Use of
Body Cameras by Law Enforcement Officers
HB 633 Del Conaway Baltimore City - Law Enforcement Officers - Video
Cameras
HB 785 Del George Drones - Unauthorized Surveillance
HB 847 Del Rosenberg, Criminal Procedure - Government Drone Use -
et al Limitations
HB 912 Del Smigiel, Courts - Electronic Communications - Privacy
et al
HB 1003 Del McDonough Crim Procedure - Individual With Immigration
Detainer (Md Law Enforc and Public Saf Trust Act)
HB 1074 Del Smigiel Fourth Amendment Protection Act
HB 1126 Del Haddaway Criminal Law - Synthetic Marijuana - Prohibition
Riccio
HB 1161 Del Criminal Procedure - Electronic Device Location
Waldstreicher, Information - Warrant
et al
HB 1188 Del Carter Law Enforcement Officers - Alcohol and Drug
Testing - Required
HB 1200 Del Public Safety - Eyewitness Identification -
Pena-Melnyk, Procedures
et al
HB 1202 Del Haddaway Crim Law - Distrib of Faked Controlled Dangerous
Riccio, et al Substance - Substantially Similar Chemical Struc
HB 1234 Del Swain Criminal Law - Drug Paraphernalia - Penalties
HB 1316 Del Swain Crms - Sale of Drg Paraphernalia to a Mnr - Loc
Law Authorzng Bsns Lic Revoc for Subq Violation
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There was much discussion and debate on the issues pertaining to electronic surveillance as they relate to the protections under the 4th Amendment which were the subject of several bills today. One in particular seeks to address the use of drones by the government. Many of the bills sought to provide guidance for emerging technology being utilized by the government. I do not believe we will see any of these bills come out this year unless it is in the form of an issue study.
We also has a couple of immigration bills that address any contact that law enforcement has with illegal aliens. HB-29 would make significant changes to the manner and dealings that law enforcement has with illegal aliens they encounter. In fact, it would make the entire state of Maryland a sanctuary state for illegal aliens. I would prefer to see these issues addressed locally based upon area needs and community desires. The idea of not allowing local law enforcement to not communicate with Immigration authorities is absurd. The bill has a lot of amendments and appears on a fast track for passage so it is one to be watched.
Delegate Pat McDonough offered an alternative bill to HB-29 which is HB-1003. This bill seeks to further enhance law enforcement efforts ongoing in Maryland as the public safety sector seeks to deal with illegal aliens.
There were a couple of bills that would require law enforcement officers to wear body cameras while on duty. If a local department wants to fund this and implement it as policy, by all means do it-but to mandate the entire state to do so is over the top.
There were also a couple of CDS bills to address synthetic marijuana and paraphernalia items. I do not sense that any of these bills will move in the committee.
Friday Morning Delegation Meeting:
We heard from President Bell of the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore who provided an overview of their activities. We were provided an update on the Food Service employees that appear to be on their way to job loss with the state as the university moves toward private vendors.
Friday Morning Session:
Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #21
Third Reading Passed (132-0)
Third Reading Passed (133-0)
Third Reading Passed (84-51)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
House ResolutionThird Reading Calendar (House Bills) #24
Third Reading Passed (133-0)
Third Reading Passed (133-0)
Third Reading Passed (134-0)
Third Reading Passed (108-26)
Third Reading Passed (133-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (119-14)
Third Reading Passed (133-0)
Third Reading Passed (133-1)
Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #23
Third Reading Passed (134-0)
Third Reading Passed (89-46)
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The big debate this morning was on the Minimum Wage bill (HB-295). There was a healthy debate on a bill that was already decided before it even came up on the board. Republicans made the point that the bill will be harmful to our economy and that it will result in the potential loss of over 10,000 jobs in Maryland alone. I pointed out that the Earned Income Credit is the best method for increasing the financial well being of our lowest income families. I pointed out that the EIC actually raises the minimum wage to nearly $10 per hour at the current rate.
We also passed HB-739 of which I am one of the sponsors. The bill reduces the Estate Tax application and will allow those with a modest estate to pass on the inheritance to their loved ones unencumbered by the state. This is the only tax reduction I can recall in 8-years under this administration. It comes following our testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee where multiple studies were presented showing how much wealth Maryland has lost during the past decade. A multitude of our citizens were choosing not to spend their remaining years in a state that would tax their estate at some of the highest rates in the nation making Maryland one of the worst states in which to die. In passing the bill, it was pointed out on the floor that after 80 tax and fee increases over the past 8-years, the only way you can get a tax break in Maryland is to die. Well, I guess you have to start somewhere!
Friday Afternoon Judiciary Voting Session:
Bills passed out of Committee
HB-73, HB-120, HB-173, HB-211, HB-234, HB-559, HB-642, HB-705, HB-714, HB-914, HB-967,HB-1089, HB-1112,HB- 1141, HB-1206, HB-1244, HB-1301.
I was able to get HB-234 voted favorably out of committee today. The bill allows persons who make threats (terrorism, bombs, etc.) to be charged in either the location where they physically made the threat or in the jurisdiction that was the physical target of the threat. Often, locations of a person making a threat are difficult to determine. This will aid in the prosecution of bad guys and is a bill I worked on with our local State’s Attorneys (Maciarello, Oglesby, Powell) from the lower shore that had that passed the House in the 2013 session.
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