Wrangling over budget problems will dominate the session, but several thousand bills are expected to be introduced on hundreds of issues, large and small. Here are some of the larger ones.
ENERGY: Major proposals are on deck to reregulate some aspect of the electric utilities in the state in hopes of holding down rates for consumers. The Public Service Commission, with a majority now appointed by O’Malley — who had promised to control rates — will be guiding the debate. Key players are Senate Finance Chairman Thomas Mac Middleton, D-Charles, and House Economic Matters Chairman Derreck Davis, D-Prince George’s. But strong proponents of reregulation, especially Sens. E.J. Pipkin, R-Lower Shore, and Jim Rosapepe, D-Prince George’s-Anne Arundel, will press for greater state control.
Recommended Stories
IMMIGRATION: Bills focused on illegal immigration have not gained much traction in past sessions, including ones to require that those applying for driver’s licenses show their “legal presence” in Maryland. Now the Motor Vehicle Administration will be proposing its own legislation to require legal presence because of the flood applicants from out-of-state and the increasing fraud found in applications, as well as to comply with the federal Real ID Act.
ENVIRONMENT: Greater restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions failed to pass last year after heavy union opposition. Bills to help reduce Maryland’s contribution to climate change will be introduced again. In addition, the financial pinch will force the state to re-examine how much it is spending to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, even though environmental groups have found current programs less effective at reducing pollution and nutrient levels than officially reported.
DEATH PENALTY: Despite a commission that recommended abolition of the death penalty, there does not seem to be enough votes in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to totally chuck executions in Maryland in favor of life without parole. Advocates of abolition will continue to push for it.
VOTING: In November, voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing early voting in Maryland. Lawmakers must now take up legislation to implement the plan, and Republicans will press for strong safeguards against voter fraud, a sticking point in past proposals. The state will also be scrounging for money to buy new voting machines using paper ballots to replace the electronic touch-screen computers it has used for several elections.
MEDEVAC: The fatal crash of a Medevac helicopter last fall has renewed debate on the whole state police emergency helicopter program. The financial pinch will make it difficult to buy the new helicopters the police have asked for — and that critics say may not be needed.
SPYING: State police troopers were found doing undercover surveillance of anti-death penalty and peace groups, and the police wound up classifying some activists, including environmentalists, as terrorists in a federal database. The police have promised to promulgate new regulations to ban the practices, but senators are pushing for stiffer laws to do the same.
SPEED: Speed cameras are now permitted in Montgomery County, but county officials throughout the state are pushing to have them allowed everywhere. A bill almost was enacted last year, and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller has promised it will get through this year.
DRUNK DRIVING: A task force is recommending even tougher laws against drunk driving, with stronger punishment for underage drivers who are found drinking, including automatic suspension of their licenses.
SEX OFFENDERS: More bills are expected seeking a crack down on sexual predators, and legislation will be needed to implement new federal requirements for the registration and tracking of sexual offenders.
