Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is faring well in this year’s General Assembly with two of his major priorities already signed into law ahead of hundreds of bills that have yet to be heard.
O’Malley’s administration drafted two of the 10 bills that have passed in both houses this session — but there are still 2,683 bills on deck.
O’Malley’s bills — which he signed as emergency legislation — address some of the priorities he outlined in his February State of the State address. One billsets up a $5,000 tax credit for every unemployed Marylander companies hire. The other makes changes to Maryland’s ailing unemployment insurance trust fund so the state can secure $127 million in federal money and ease the rising cost of premiums.
Montgomery County lawmakers also have added two laws to the books this session.
The delegation pushed through a bill that relieves the county from a fine for inadequately funding the public schools last year,and O’Malley on Thursday signed into law Sen. Jamie Raskin’s bill, which prohibits vehicle manufacturers from giving bonuses to dealership employees.
Monday marks the 76th day of session, also known as “crossover” day, which is the last day that bills voted out of committee go straight to the floor. Starting Tuesday, those bills will detour to a rules committee, which will decide whether to send legislation on to the floor or back to a committee for more hearings.
Lawmakers worked overtime last week, holding two sessions a day, to push through many bills before the crossover deadline.
Typically, crossover day is long and arduous as a slew of last-minute bills hits the floors, but with Passover starting Monday night, lawmakers could speed up the process.
Percentage of bills not voted out of committee (as of Thursday night)
Senate committees
Budget and Taxation; 77 (high percentage partly attributed to bond bills)
Judicial Proceedings; 49
Finance; 38
Education, Health and Environmental Affairs; 37
House committees
Ways and Means; 75
Health and Government Operations; 44
Environmental Matters; 40
Economic Matters; 35
