A push to force Howard?s mobile home park owners to notify residents of plans to sell fizzled in the Senate, leaving a few lawmakers perplexed.
The local measure aimed to give mobile home residents more rights by giving them a chance to make an offer to buy the park, but “mysterious forces” kept it from passing, said Del. Guy Guzzone, D-District 13.
An amended version passed the House but was caught up in the Senate.
“I think you?ll see it again,” said Del. Frank Turner, D-District 13, of the bill, adding park owners had concerns.
Guzzone vowed to work on the problem before similar legislation is reintroduced.
Howard?s attempt to allow speed-monitoring cameras on county roads also failed. The local measure was held back in favor of a statewide bill moving forward ? but the state bill also failed.
“That was very frustrating,” said Del. Liz Bobo, D-District 12B.
With a few of the local measures, including the speed cameras bill, Howard seemed to be taking a lead on highly controversial legislation, Guzzone said.
Some lawmakers recognized the measures could be replicated statewide and got nervous, he added.
Del. Warren Miller, R-District 9A, pushed three local bills that passed, including a measure giving the county government more oversight in the installation of multiuse sewage systems.
Miller?s bill requiring the Howard Board of Education to post online the results of well water testing at schools also passed.
Lawmakers also approved the county?s state bond bills that provided $300,000 each for projects at the Robinson Nature Center, North Laurel Community Center and Blandair Regional Park.
The delegation had requested $500,000, but lawmakers were satisfied with the amount.
“That?s a good amount in a tight budget year,” said Del. Shane Pendergrass, D-District 13.
