Governor's Signing Ceremony
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Martin O'Malley will be signing measures with an eye toward creating jobs.
The governor is holding his first bill signing Tuesday morning, hours after the General Assembly adjourned at midnight.
O'Malley, a Democrat, is scheduled to sign a bill to facilitate public-private partnerships. It will create a streamlined process for the private sector to take part in building public roads or buildings. State estimates have projected additional public-private partnerships could contribute up to 6 to 10 percent of Maryland's $3.1 billion annual capital budget and create as many as 4,000 new jobs.
O'Malley also is scheduled to sign a bill to help develop offshore wind.
Other major bills approved by the Legislature will be signed later. They include a sweeping gun-control bill and a repeal of capital punishment.
Pit Bull Bill Dies
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A measure to change a court ruling that designated pit bulls as an "inherently dangerous" breed has died in the Maryland General Assembly.
The bill, which received unanimous approval from the Senate on Monday, stalled in the House of Delegates.
The measure would have required all dog owners to prove by clear and convincing evidence they had no prior knowledge that their dog was prone to biting for victims ages 12-years-old and younger. For older victims, owners would have to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that they had no knowledge their dog was prone to biting, a lesser standard.
Lawmakers sought to change a court ruling last year that made pit bull owners and landlords strictly liable for bites without previous evidence of a dog being dangerous.
Campaign Finance
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland lawmakers have passed a campaign finance reform bill.
The measure, which would close some loopholes in the law, was passed late Monday night before the General Assembly adjourned at midnight.
It raises limits, which have not been increased since 1991, but it closes loopholes that have enabled companies to get around intended limits set in the law.
Individual donation limits would rise from $4,000 to $6,000. The aggregate limit amount would be $24,000 in a four-year cycle.
The bill includes civil penalties to enforce campaign finance laws.
Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, executive director of Common Cause Maryland, says the state made progress this year by passing the reforms.
Cell Phones
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland lawmakers have strengthened distracted driving laws.
The General Assembly passed a measure on Monday to make talking on a handheld cellphone while driving a vehicle a primary offense. Under the bill, a police officer could pull over a driver for talking on a handheld while the vehicle is in motion.
A driver who is talking on a handheld cellphone at a red light when the vehicle isn't moving could not be ticketed.
Now, a driver who is talking on a cell phone while driving can only be ticketed if he has been pulled over for another violation.
The first offense would be punishable by up to a $75 fine. A second offense could bring a ticket of up to $125, and a third could result in a $175 fine.
Veterans Assistance
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A measure to help veterans as they transition to the civilian workforce in Maryland has cleared the General Assembly.
Lawmakers gave final passage to the bill Monday. The measure is supported by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who is a colonel in the U.S. Army reserves and Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration.
The bill removes certain barriers to employment when veterans make the transition from military service to the civilian workforce.
The measure enables veterans who apply for occupational and professional licenses in Maryland to get credit for their military training, education and experience. It requires public colleges and universities to develop policies to award academic credit for relevant military training and education. It also creates an expedited licensing procedure for veterans and military spouses who hold professional licenses in other states.
Public-Private Infrastructure Partnerships
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A measure to better facilitate public-private partnerships in Maryland has cleared the General Assembly.
The bill, which received final approval on Monday, was proposed by Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration.
The legislation creates a streamlined process for the private sector to take part in building public roads or buildings, so participants would have a better understanding of what to expect.
Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown says the measure will enhance private-sector investment in the state.
Maryland already has a public-private partnership at the Port of Baltimore. The state also has one to operate travel plazas along Interstate 95.
State estimates have projected additional public-private partnerships could contribute up to 6 to 10 percent of Maryland's $3.1 billion annual capital budget and create as many as 4,000 new jobs.
