This will be the final legislative report on the 2010 session of the Maryland General Assembly.  It highlights those bills that while unsuccessful this year will most likely be reintroduced in the 2011 session of the General Assembly.  Sponsors have only been identified when they are members of the Montgomery County delegation.  

MARYLAND OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT (HB 344 sponsored by Delegate Heather Mizeur and SB 407 sponsored by Senator Nancy King):  calls for more transparency in the General Assembly by requiring that committee votes be posted online, that individuals wishing to testify be allowed to sign-up online; and that bill hearings be broadcast, among other measures.  It also calls for more transparency with the activities of the Board of Public Works.  Although no hearing was held in either the House or the Senate, the leadership did agree to post committee votes online this session.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA (HB 712 and SB 627):  would allow the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes under certain circumstances.  Although the bill passed the Senate, the House chose to review the issue before next year’s session.

READING TEXT MESSAGES WHILE DRIVING – PROHIBITION (HB 192):  would ban the reading of text messages while driving.  Last year legislation was passed that banned the writing and sending of such messages.

DRUNK DRIVING ELIMINATION ACT (SB 564 sponsored by Senator Jamie Raskin and HB 743 sponsored by Delegate Ben Kramer):  These bills aim to reduce drunk driving by requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to establish an Ignition Interlock System Program that requires a person who is convicted of or who receives probation for drunk driving to participate in the program. Current law authorizes but does not require such a program. A driver who has an ignition lock blows into the device before starting the car. If the device detects a breath alcohol content above a certain limit, it prevents the car from starting.

PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS -- ENERGY BENCHMARKING (SB 713 sponsored by Senator Mike Lenett and HB 985):  would require that all privately owned commercial buildings (over 150,000 square feet) and State buildings (of at least 10,000 square feet) be benchmarked annually to encourage the owners and the State, respectively, to make their buildings more energy efficient.  This data would be made available to current and prospective occupants.      

HOME SALES – DISCLOSURE OF UTILITY CONSUMPTION (HB 1291 and SB 952):  would require sellers of residential property to include information on the utility bills for the prior 12 months in the listing to encourage owners to make their homes energy efficient and to allow potential buyers to have an idea of what to expect in terms of utility costs. 

THE LORRAINE SHEEHAN HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ACT (HB 832 sponsored by Delegate Bill Bronrott and SB 717sponsored by Senator Rich Madaleno):  would increase the tax on alcohol by a dime per drink.  The additional revenue would be used to help fully fund a program to ensure that lower income childless adults get critically needed Medicaid coverage, increase needed access to alcohol and drug treatment and cessation services and support our state's underfunded programs for people with developmental disabilities and mental health concerns.

CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION CONSUMER RETAIL CHOICE ACT (HB 351 sponsored by Delegate Al Carr and SB 462 sponsored by Senator Jamie Raskin):  would require stores to charge customers five cents per every paper and plastic disposable bag provided. 

In addition, expect the bills reported on earlier on same sex marriage and campaign finance to be re-introduced, once again, next year.  

For additional information on these bills, go to http://mlis.state.md.us .  Click on bill information and status.  Enter the bill number and click submit query. 

For information on other bills or issues, go to http://mlis.state.md.us .  Click on indexes and then click on sponsor (if you know the sponsor) or subject and then continue as directed.

For a summary of the 2010 session, go to http://mlis.state.md.us .  Click on 90-day report.