Scrap metal, immigration and gay marriage are some of the issues Anne Arundel legislators hope to tackle Wednesday when the General Assembly begins its 2009 session.
Many delegates and senators are re-introducing bills that struggled this past year, while others hope to set new regulations.
Following are some of the bills:
Targeting metal theft Democratic Sen. James “Ed” DeGrange and Del. Ted Sophocleus, both of District 32, are filing bills addressing scrap metal dealers in hopes of curbing the theft of copper and other recyclable metals.
The legislation, which didn’t pass in 2008, will require anyone, who turns in recyclable metals to scrap dealers, to produce identification and some proof they legally obtained the metal.
DeGrange and Sophocleus said thefts of catalytic converters and copper wiring have risen, as well as deaths of people trying to steal wire connected to electricity.
“People are even attacking cemeteries and taking the brass off of plots and aluminum benches from playgrounds,” DeGrange said.
Smarter and tougher language Sophocleus also wants to change terminology in the state code to help children with developmental disabilities and make it easier to convict gun violators.
The delegate wants to change the state’s use of the term “mental retardation” to “intellectual disability” to combat the stigma associated with the phrase “retardation.”
He also wants to change the term “handgun violation” to “firearm violent” in the criminal code, as the current terminology doesn’t quite cover the use of shotguns and rifles.
“Because it only says ‘handguns,’ it’s harder to prosecute certain cases under the current code,” Sophocleus said.
Tightening reins on utilities Sen. Jim Rosapepe, D-District 21, said he hopes to pass bills regulating utilities in Maryland.
Deregulation of electric companies has been blamed for the staggering increase of power bills, though companies like Constellation Energy, which operates Baltimore Gas and Electric, say the rates are equal to market value.
“Given the economic state of our taxpayers, it makes the need of good regulation that much more important,” Rosapepe said.
Providing proof of citizenship The issue of immigrants and drivers license will resurface, as Del. Ron George, R-District 30, plans to bring back his bill requiring proof of legal residency to drive in Maryland.
George’s bill requires potential motorists to produce a form of identification, such as a Social Security card, passport or birth certificate.
Though immigration advocates oppose the bill, George cited homeland security issues such as domestic and foreign terrorists who have obtained legal driver licenses in other states.
“We’re the only state besides Hawaii not making a motion toward regulations like this,” George said.
Marriage and bullies Del. Don Dwyer, R-District 31, will also re-introduce controversial legislation that would have the state constitution recognize marriage as only between and man and woman.
“It’s never been voted on, but it needs to get to the House floor,” he said. “Even if I lose a battle, I’ll be satisfied with a vote, showing where lawmakers stand on this issue.”
Dwyer also is introducing less controversial legislation that would require all cell phone towers built in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to accommodate birds’ nests to protect populations of bald eagles, blue herons and ospreys.
Del. Nic Kipke, R-District 31, will bring back his cyber-bullying bill, making it a crime — a misdemeanor punishable up to one year in prison — to threaten someone via the Internet.
He also is introducing legislation that would require voters in Anne Arundel to produce valid identification at polling stations.
