#b. robinson

[mdlegwatch]

2016 MD HB 491 Proposes to Reimburse Citizens for some Police Caused Damage

2016 MD HB 491 Proposes to Reimburse Citizens for some Police Caused Damage

2016 HB 491 proposes to make the government pay restitution to people with property damage resulting from execution of some search warrants in selected circumstances.

(F) (1) IF THE EXECUTION OF A SEARCH WARRANT RESULTS IN DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY SEARCHED, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OF THE AFFIANT TO THE SEARCH WARRANT SHALL PAY TO THE PROPERTY OWNER THE REASONABLE EXPENSES REQUIRED TO RESTORE THE…

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[mdlegwatch]

2016 MD HB 168 Proposes to Increase Analysis in Fiscal Notes

2016 MD HB 168 Proposes to Increase Analysis in Fiscal Notes

2016 HB 168 proposes to add requirements for fiscal and policy analysis.  What is a fiscal and policy note?

The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) is required by law to provide a written estimate of the fiscal impact on State and local government finances for all proposed legislation.  A small business impact assessment is also required. These “fiscal notes” also include a plain English…

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[mdlegwatch]

2015 HB 338/SB 173 Propose to Increase SWAT Reporting Transparency

2015 HB 338/SB 173 Propose to Increase SWAT Reporting Transparency

2015 MD HB 338 (Carter) and SB 173 (Gladden) propose to increase required SWAT reporting.  In FY 2014, SWAT teams deployed 1,689 times, up 2.4% from the prior fiscal year.  At present, counties/municipal corporations are required to report deployment details in very broad categories.  Current requirements:

The number of times the SWAT Team was “activated and deployed;”

The location where the SWAT…

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[mdlegwatch]

2015 HB 308 proposes that police wear video cameras

2015 HB 308 proposes that police wear video cameras

2015 MD HB 308, proposed by Delegate Conaway, proposes that law enforcement officers wear video cameras – this bill is an exact replica of 2014’s HB 116.  Since the purpose of law enforcement, as part of government, is to protect the People’s rights, this legislation is a step in the right direction.  However, this bill needs to be amended before it may serve to protect the People.

(C) (1) A LAW…

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[mdlegwatch]

2015 HB 911/SB 531 is the Marijuana Control & Revenue Act of 2015

2015 HB 911/SB 531 is the Marijuana Control & Revenue Act of 2015

Maryland HB 911 (Anderson) /SB 531 (Raskin) is the 36 page Marijuana Control and Revenue Act of 2015.  The purpose section of this bill is 1.5 pages; its complexity is beyond the scope of this post.  Here are some highlights:

Repeals a good portion of Maryland Criminal Law Article 5-601

Establishes personal use quantities of 1 oz. or less of marijuana, 5 gm or less of hashish, 16 oz. of marijuana…

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[mdlegwatch]

2014 MD HB 332 proposes to preserve consumer choice in, "smart meters"

2014 MD HB 332 proposes to preserve consumer choice in, “smart meters”

HB 332, sponsored by Delegate Glass, is a bipartisan effort to preserve electricity consumers’ choice between analog and smart meter, prohibit certain reporting to third parties, and prohibits fees for those opting for an analog meter.  The electricity provider must:

Give written notice of smart meter deployment  to each customer

Have written notice state the customer may refuse installation

The…

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[mdlegwatch]

2014 HB 527 proposes to require sick leave for employees

2014 HB 527 proposes to require sick leave for employees

HB 527, sponsored by Delegate B. Robinson proposes to require employers to provide employees with earned sick leave.  This bill would add, among other things, Article 3-1203 to the Maryland Labor and Employment Article.  In part, this reads:

(A) AN EMPLOYER SHALL PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE WITH EARNED SICK LEAVE THAT IS PAID AT THE SAME RATE AND WITH THE SAME BENEFITS AS THE EMPLOYEE NORMALLY EARNS. (B)…

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