Maryland Legislation - Updated April 7, 2008
A look at where some bills stood as of April 7. Bills with an asterisk are part of Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley's legislative agenda or budget initiatives.
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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; in conference committee. |
| Death penalty repeal | Replace the death penalty with life without parole. | Did not pass in either chamber. |
| Death penalty study | Establishes a commission to study capital punishment. | Similar bills passed both chambers; in conference committee. |
| Child abuse reporting | Subjects 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 | Passed by Senate; similar bill withdrawn in House.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 | Increases penalty for adults who provide alcohol to those under age 21 | Bill increasing civil fine passed by both chambers. |
| GPS tracking of juvenile offenders | Spend nearly $1 million to track 250 youths. | Passed with reduction of $190,000. |
| ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY | ||
| Legislation | What Bill Would Do | Status |
| Chesapeake Bay Fund* | Establish uses of a $50 million annual fund for cleanup. | In conference committee, but with $25 million for next year. |
| Critical Areas reform | Tighten regulations on development in environmentally sensitive areas. | Amended bill sent to governor. |
| 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. | Different bills passed by House and Senate. |
| 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 the 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 | Sent to governor. |
| Solar energy grant program* | Increase amounts of grants available. | Passed by House; pending in Senate. |
| Electricity generation | Allow state regulators to control decommissioning fund for Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant. | Replaced by legislation to carry out Constellation Energy settlement. |
| BUDGET, TAXES AND FINANCE | ||
| Legislation | What Bill Would Do | Status |
| Computer services tax repeal | Repeal a tax passed last fall on a range of computer services. | Sent to governor. |
| Foreclosure reform* | Make mortgage fraud a crime; extend foreclosure timetable; prohibit rescue transactions and prepayment penalties. | Sent to and signed by governor. |
| 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. | Sent to governor. |
| Iran divestiture* | Requires 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. | Sent to governor. |
| BRAC incentives* | Create revitalization and incentive zones and tax credits to prepare for growth from base realignment. | Passed by Senate; similar bill pending in House. |
| Video gambling | Instant bingo and similar electronic games in violation of gambling laws would be banned. | Passed by Senate; similar bill pending in House. |
| EDUCATION | ||
| Legislation | What Bill Would Do | Status |
| University tuition freeze* | Money in budget would offset anticipated 4 percent tuition increase. | Some university funding cut; tuition to be set by university regents. |
| University tuition planning | Establish a four-year college tuition plan. | Did not pass. |
| Bullying | Prohibit bullying and cyber bullying at schools. | Similar bills passed by House and 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 to Labor department. | Passed by Senate; pending in House. |
| High School Assessment tests | Eliminate HSA as a graduation requirement. | Did not pass. |
| HEALTH | ||
| Legislation | What Bill Would Do | Status |
| Prince George's hospital management | Establish an independent authority to take over hospital system. | Sent to governor. |
| Veterans' mental health* | Coordinate federal and state veterans' health programs. | Sent to governor. |
| Health care for seniors | Give low- and moderate-income seniors a subsidy for prescription drugs during gaps in Medicare coverage. | Similar bills passed by House and Senate. |
| TRANSPORTATION AND DRIVING | ||
| 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 under 18 who commit major offenses. | Passed by Senate. |
| Teen driving restrictions* | Changing curfew for 16-year-old drivers from midnight to 10 p.m. | House passed version without curfew, calls for study. |
| Teen driver parental notification | Requiring parental notification for teenagers charged with moving violations. | Similar bills passed by House and Senate. |
| Transit-oriented development* | Making development near Metro and other transit a priority. | Passed by House; similar bill in Senate. |
| SOCIAL ISSUES | ||
| 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. |
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