Delegation OKs local bills

The Howard delegation quickly approved several local bills, but delayed decisions on measures focusing on speed cameras, posting water test results and rights for mobile home park owners.

Lawmakers decided to wait until a briefing next week with Police Chief Bill McMahon before voting on a proposal allowing speed cameras in the county. State Sen. James Robey, D-District 13, introduced the bill.

Del. Warren Miller?s bill requiring the school board to post online the results from well water testing at schools also was delayed.

Miller, R-District 9A, said he wants to tweak the language to include information on biological compounds. Amendments are also in the works for a bill that would require mobile home park owners to notify residents of plans to sell, giving residents a change to make an offer to buy the park.

The measures moving on to the General Assembly include:

» Three state bond bills of $500,000 each for the planning and construction of the Robinson Nature Center in Columbia, North Laurel Community Center in Laurel and Blandair Regional Park in Columbia;

» A bill repealing the prohibition against a member of the Alcohol Beverage Hearing Board from being employed by county government;

» A bill altering the definition of “local government” in the Local Government Tort Claims Act to include the Howard County Revenue Authority;

» A bill requiring a person who is the subject of a criminal history records check to submit a full set of fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services;

» A bill changing the financial audit filing date from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1;

» Two bills that authorize the county to enact legislation for better oversight of multiuse septic systems in developments and require companies to post a performance bond before installing the system.

The 11-member delegation held its first weekly meeting Wednesday in Annapolis.

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