Thursday, April 3, 2008

A look at where some bills stood as of Tuesday, with less than a week left in the 90-day session. Bills with an asterisk are part of Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley's legislative agenda or budget initiatives.

Legislation	What bill would do	Status
DNA collection expansion*	Expand state database to include samples taken at arrest for violent crimes	Similar bills passed in both chambers
Death penalty repeal	Replace the death penalty with life without parole	Stalled in both chambers
Death penalty study	Establish a commission to study capital punishment	Similar bills passed in both chambers
Child abuse reporting	Subject health practitioners, police and educators to a fine for failure to report suspected child abuse	Passed by Senate; similar bill withdrawn in House
Alcohol consumption responsibility	Increase the penalty for adults who provide alcohol to those younger than 21	House made it a misdemeanor; Senate increased civil fines
GPS tracking of juvenile offenders	Spend nearly $1 million to track 250 youths	Included in Senate budget; less money in House budget

Legislation	What bill would do	Status
Chesapeake Bay Fund*	Establish uses of a $50 million annual fund for cleanup	House and Senate cut fund to $25 million
Critical Areas reform	Tighten regulations on development in environmentally sensitive areas	Passed by House; pending in Senate
Global warming	Call for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020	Passed by Senate; in House committee
Strategic Energy Investment Program*	Create funds to decrease energy demand and increase energy supply	Rejected by Senate; pending in House
Energy efficiency*	Set goal of a 15 percent reduction in per capita electricity consumption by 2015	Passed by Senate; preliminary approval in House
Renewable energy portfolio*	Boost to 20 percent the portion of state energy portfolio provided by wind, solar and other renewable sources	Passed by Senate; preliminary approval in House
Energy-efficient buildings*	Require new or renovated state buildings and schools to meet standards	Similar bills passed by House and Senate
Solar energy grant program*	Increase amounts of grants available	Passed by House; in Senate committee
Electricity generation	Allow state regulators to control decommissioning fund for Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant	Replaced by legislation to carry out Constellation Energy settlement

Legislation	What bill would do	Status
Computer services tax repeal	Repeal a tax passed in the fall on a range of computer services	No action yet in House or Senate
Foreclosure reform*	Make mortgage fraud a crime; extend foreclosure timetable; prohibit rescue transactions and prepayment penalties	Similar bills passed by House and Senate
Banking reform	Allow state banks to charge penalties to borrowers who pay off second mortgages early	Sent to governor
Debt counseling	Allow for-profit companies to operate in Maryland	Passed by Senate; in House committee
Iran divestiture*	Require state pension board to divest holdings in companies doing business with Iran	Passed by Senate; pending in House committee
State government*	Create a Department of Information Technology	Similar bills passed by House and Senate
BRAC incentives*	Create revitalization and incentive zones and tax credits to prepare for growth from base realignment	In Senate and House committees
Video gambling	Ban instant bingo and similar electronic games in violation of gambling laws	Passed by Senate; in House committee

Legislation	What bill would do	Status
University tuition freeze*	Money in budget would offset anticipated 4 percent tuition increase	Some university funding cut; effect on tuition unclear
University tuition planning	Establish a four-year college tuition plan	In House committee
Bullying	Prohibit bullying and cyber-bullying at schools	Passed by House; pending in Senate
School attendance age	Boost mandatory age to 17 from 16, only if governor provides money in budget	Passed by Senate; in House committee
Adult literacy*	Transfer program from Education Department to Labor Department	Passed by Senate; in House committee
High School Assessment tests	Eliminate HSA as graduation requirement	Failed in Senate committee; in House committee

Legislation	What bill would do	Status
Prince George's hospital management	Establish an independent authority to take over hospital system	Passed by House; in Senate committee
Veterans mental health*	Coordinate federal and state veterans health programs	Similar bills passed by Senate and House
Health care for seniors	Give low-and moderate-income seniors a subsidy for prescription drugs during gap in Medicare coverage	Similar bills passed by House and Senate

Legislation	What bill would do	Status
Speed cameras*	Authorize speed cameras in school zones, residential neighborhoods and work areas	Similar bills passed by Senate and House
Cellphone ban	Ban use of hand-held cellphones while driving	Passed by Senate; failed in House committee
Teen driving suspension	Suspend licenses of drivers younger than 18 who commit major offenses	Passed by Senate
Teen driving restrictions*	Change curfew for 16-year-old drivers from midnight to 10 p.m.	House passed version without curfew, called for study
Teen driver parental notification	Require parental notification for teenagers charged with moving violations	Similar bills passed by House and Senate
Transit-oriented development*	Make development near Metro and transit a priority	Passed by House; similar bill in Senate

Legislation	What bill would do	Status
Same-sex marriage	Allow same-sex couples to marry	Stalled in committee
Civil unions	Allow same-sex couples to enter unions giving marriage rights	Stalled in committee
Expansion of legal rights	Give same-sex couples medical decision making and property rights	Passed by Senate; in House committee