This is your link to MML's legislative initiatives during the 2008 Session of the Maryland General Assembly. Like the traditional paper version of the Legislative Status Report found in the Bulletin, this page lists:

• bills important to cities and towns that are monitored by MML
• what positions have been taken by the committee (if any)
• synopsis of each bill

2008 bills (Latest update: March 05, 2008)

Select a Senate or House bill by number from the drop down list below, or simply scan through the bills by scrolling down. If you are searching for a particular topic, use your browser's "find" feature to search for key terms. Click the bill number to jump to MLIS for detailed information about each bill.

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Visit the Maryland Legislative Information Service (MLIS)

In MLIS, "Third Reader" or the "Enrolled" versions of bills are final, but bills do not become law until signed by the governor. The governor has until June to act on any enrolled bill (those passed by both the House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate and sent to the governor for his signature).

Summary of Senate Bills

SB 131
TITLE: Municipal Corporations - Hotel Rental Tax
Authorizing a municipal corporation to impose a tax on charges for sleeping accommodations paid to hotels in the municipal corporation, subject to specified limitations; authorizing a municipal corporation to set the tax rate, not to exceed 2%; authorizing a municipal corporation to provide for the administration and collection of the tax, to provide for additional exemptions from the tax, and to impose penalties for failure to collect, report, or pay the tax; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 178-Delegate Barve, et al.)

SPONSOR: Senators King, Forehand, Peters, and Raskin
ASSIGNED TO: Budget and Taxation
MML POSITION:  S

SB 206
TITLE: BRAC Community Enhancement Act
Authorizing the creation of BRAC Revitalization and Incentive Zones in the State; establishing eligibility criteria for the Zones and factors to be considered by the Secretary of Business and Economic Development in approving the Zones; providing for specified tax credits to be available to eligible businesses in the Zones; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 366-The Speaker- By Request - Administration, et al.)

SPONSOR: The President (By Request - Administration), et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Budget and Taxation
MML POSITION:  S

SB 211
TITLE: Public Safety - Statewide DNA Data Base System - Crimes of Violence, Burglary, and Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle - Sample Collections on Arrest
Requiring the collection of a DNA sample from an individual who is arrested for or charged with a crime of violence or attempt to commit a crime of violence, burglary, or breaking and entering a motor vehicle; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 370-The Speaker-By Request-Administration, et al.)

SPONSOR: The President (By Request - Administration), et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Judicial Proceedings
MML POSITION:  S

SB 213
TITLE: Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund and Nonpoint Source Fund
Altering the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund and its purposes; providing for the uses of the Fund; establishing in statute the BayStat Program and BayStat Subcabinet; requiring the Program to distribute funds from the Trust Fund to the BayStat Subcabinet agencies; requiring the BayStat Subcabinet agencies to redistribute the funds through grants to various entities and to the Chesapeake Bay Nonpoint Source Fund; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 368-The Speaker-By Request-Administration, et al.)

SPONSOR: The President (By Request - Administration), et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
MML POSITION:  S

SB 239
TITLE: Homestead Property Tax Credit
Repealing a requirement for homeowners to file applications to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to qualify for the homestead property tax credit; repealing provisions relating to the application requirement; etc.

SPONSOR: Senator Kasemeyer, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Budget and Taxation
MML POSITION:  O

SB 259
TITLE: Program Open Space - Attainment of Acquisition Goals - Increased Allocation for Local Government
Altering the amount a local government can spend on development projects after it has attained its acquisition goals under Program Open Space.

SPONSOR: Senators Middleton and Edwards, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
MML POSITION:  S

SB 352
TITLE: Junk Dealers and Scrap Metal Processors - Regulated Scrap Metal
Requiring specified junk dealers and scrap metal processors to post a specified sign; prohibiting specified junk dealers and scrap metal processors from purchasing regulated scrap metal from specified persons under specified circumstances; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 727 by Delegate Kullen, et al.)

SPONSOR: Senator Astle
ASSIGNED TO: Finance
MML POSITION:  S

SB 421
TITLE: Counties and Municipal Corporations - "Sanctuary Laws" for Illegal Aliens - Prohibition
Requiring local governments to fully comply with and support federal immigration law; prohibiting local governments from restricting their employees from requesting, obtaining, sending, receiving, or maintaining immigration information; requiring local governments to enforce federal immigration law and protect civil rights; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 735-Miller, eta l.)

SPONSOR: Senator Kittleman, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
MML POSITION:  O

SB 445
TITLE: Underground Facilities - Determination of Marking - Initial Fees
Providing that the one-time initial fee that a political subdivision or municipal corporation may charge, assess, or collect from a person under the Miss Utility program includes reimbursement of expenses that the political subdivision or municipal corporation incurs to determine if marking of the underground facility is necessary. (Crossfiled as HB 611-Delegate Anderson-By Request - Baltimore City Administration, et al.)

SPONSOR: Senators Pugh and McFadden (By Request - Baltimore City Administration), et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Finance
MML POSITION:  S

SB 474
TITLE: Motor Fuel Tax - Exemptions for Biodiesel - Government Vehicles
Exempting biodiesel fuel with a specific blend that is purchased for use in specified county or municipal government vehicles from specified percentages of the State motor fuel tax in specific fiscal years; requiring the Comptroller to adopt regulations to implement and administer the exemption; etc.

SPONSOR: Senator Garagiola, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Budget and Taxation
MML POSITION:  S

SB 549
TITLE: State Government - Custodian of Records - Inspection of Public Records
Requiring a custodian of records to deny inspection of a public record or any part of a public record for which the request for inspection is related to a matter that is the subject of a pending civil action subject to specified exceptions; requiring a custodian to permit inspection of a public record if the court grants a petition for inspection on a showing of good cause; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 615 by Delegate Anderson by Request of Baltimore City Delegation, et al.)

SPONSOR: Senator Gladden (By Request - Baltimore City Administration)
ASSIGNED TO: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
MML POSITION:  S

SB 596
TITLE: Courts - Nonprofit Associations - Standing to Participate in Governmental Proceedings
Authorizing a nonprofit association to institute, defend, intervene, or participate in specified governmental proceedings under specified circumstances; authorizing a nonprofit association to assert a claim in its name on behalf of its members under specified circumstances; requiring an unincorporated nonprofit association to designate a resident agent and file the person's written consent with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 1341 by Delegate Morhaim, et al.)

SPONSOR: Senators Brochin, Klausmeier, and Pinsky
ASSIGNED TO: Judicial Proceedings
MML POSITION:  O

SB 633
TITLE: Criminal Law - Property Used in Gang Activity - Seizure and Forfeiture
Authorizing the seizure of specified property used or intended for use in connection with criminal gang activity; establishing procedures to be followed for the forfeiture of specified property; etc.

SPONSOR: Senator Jacobs
ASSIGNED TO: Judicial Proceedings
MML POSITION:  S

SB 674
TITLE: Water Resources - Groundwater Appropriation or Use - Priority Funding Areas
Authorizing the Maryland Department of the Environment to give priority to a public water system that supplies water to a priority funding area established on or before January 1, 1997, under § 5-7B-03 of the State Finance and Procurement Article when appropriating or using groundwater of the State; etc. (Crossfiled as HB 1423 by Delegate Hecht, et al.)

SPONSOR: Senator Brinkley
ASSIGNED TO: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
MML POSITION:  S

SB 679
TITLE: Injured Workers' Insurance Fund - Regulation by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner
Removing the Injured Workers' Insurance Fund from exceptions to specified provisions of law; providing that the Fund is subject to examination in accordance with specified provisions of law; providing that the Fund is subject to specified provisions of law regarding rate making and rating; authorizing the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to enforce specified provisions of law to which the Fund is subject; etc.

SPONSOR: Senator Kittleman
ASSIGNED TO: Finance
MML POSITION:  O

SB 687
TITLE: Courts - Nonprofit Associations and Homeowners Associations - Standing
Granting a nonprofit association or homeowners association standing in court under specified circumstances; requiring a nonprofit or homeowners association to allege and prove specified conditions before being granted standing; establishing that standing for a nonprofit or homeowners association vests at the conclusion of the individually named party's case and that standing of a nonprofit or homeowners association is limited to asserting specified claims; etc.

SPONSOR: Senator Brochin
ASSIGNED TO: Judicial Proceedings
MML POSITION:  O

SB 688
TITLE: Foreclosures - Unpaid Water and Sanitary Charges - Prohibition
Prohibiting the forced sale or foreclosure of a property due to unpaid water, sewer, or other sanitary system bills; and repealing provisions rendered inconsistent with the Act.

SPONSOR: Senator Brochin
ASSIGNED TO: Judicial Proceedings
MML POSITION:  O

SB 920
TITLE: Task Force to Study Statewide Gypsy Moth Infestation
Establishing a Task Force to Study Statewide Gypsy Moth Infestation; providing for the membership of the Task Force; providing that the Governor shall designate the chair of the Task Force; providing for the staffing of the Task Force; providing for the duties of the Task Force; and requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before August 31, 2009.

SPONSOR: Senator Brinkley, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Rules
MML POSITION:  SA

Summary of House Bills

HB 16
TITLE: Local Government Tort Claims Act - Notice
Expanding from 180 days to 1 year the time period during which notice must be given to bring an action for unliquidated damages against a local government or its employees.

SPONSOR: Delegate Smigiel
ASSIGNED TO: Judiciary
MML POSITION:  O

HB 28
TITLE: Procurement - Purchase of Apparel Produced in the United States
Requiring a public body to require that specified apparel production be performed in the United States; requiring that bidders for specified apparel contracts provide contracting public bodies with specified information; requiring that apparel contracts and bid application documents contain specified information; authorizing a public body to waive specified requirements of the Act under specified conditions; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Benson
ASSIGNED TO: Health and Government Operations
MML POSITION:  O

HB 54
TITLE: Property Tax - Credit - Accessibility Features
Authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City or the governing body of a county or of a municipal corporation to grant, by law, a tax credit against the county or municipal corporation property tax imposed on real property equipped with specified accessibility features; authorizing the county or municipal corporation to provide, by law, for the amount and duration of the credit; applying the Act to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2008; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Guzzone
ASSIGNED TO: Ways and Means
MML POSITION:  S

HB 84
TITLE: Homeowners Associations and Municipalities - Solar Collection Panels - Regulation
Prohibiting the legislative body of any incorporated municipality from passing an ordinance preventing a homeowner from installing a solar collection panel on the roof of a residence; providing that a homeowners association may not pass a recorded covenant or restriction, a provision in a declaration, or a provision of the bylaws or rules of a homeowners association that imposes unreasonable restrictions on a lot owner installing a solar collection panel on the roof of a residence; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Barve, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  O

HB 108
TITLE: Public Safety - Electronic Weapons - Prohibition
Prohibiting a person from possessing, using, selling, distributing, offering to sell or distribute, or transporting into the State an electronic weapon; establishing penalties; requiring the Police Training Commission to require specified training in the proper use of electronic weapons; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegates Branch, Anderson, Stukes, and Tarrant
ASSIGNED TO: Judiciary
MML POSITION:  S

HB 204
TITLE: Public Safety - Pool Lifeguards - Regulation (Connor's Law)
Requiring the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene to adopt regulations requiring the owners of specified types of swimming pools to have one lifeguard on duty for each group of 25 or fewer individuals in the water.

SPONSOR: Delegate King
ASSIGNED TO: Health and Government Operations
MML POSITION:  O

HB 230
TITLE: Vehicle Laws - School Crossing Guards - Authority to Direct Traffic
Authorizing a school crossing guard who meets specified qualifications to stop or otherwise direct vehicles and pedestrians on a highway or on school grounds under specified circumstances; requiring drivers to obey the directions of a school crossing guard exercising authority under the Act; etc.

SPONSOR: Chair, Environmental Matters Committee (By Request - Departmental - Transportation)
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 337
TITLE: Tax - Property - Property Value Assessments - Disclosure of Improvements
Requiring a seller of real property to disclose the existence of a substantial improvement not already reflected in the worksheet of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; requiring the seller and purchaser to sign a disclosure form; requiring delivery of the disclosure form to the Department; requiring the Department to revalue real property on the disclosure of a substantial improvement; altering the circumstances under which the Director of the Department may order a revaluation; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegates Pena-Melnyk, Barnes, and Frush
ASSIGNED TO: Ways and Means
MML POSITION:  S

HB 349
TITLE: State Government - Open Meetings - Votes of a Public Body
Requiring specified votes of a public body to be taken in open session; and prohibiting a specified provision of law from being construed to allow voting by a public body in a closed session.

SPONSOR: Delegate Bobo
ASSIGNED TO: Health and Government Operations
MML POSITION:  O

HB 373
TITLE: Maryland Transit Administration - Transit-Oriented Development
Establishing that specified transit-oriented development of specified property located near transit stations is a transportation purpose that is essential for the attainment of specified objectives; etc. (Crossfiled as SB 204-The President-By Request-Administration, et al.)

SPONSOR: The Speaker (By Request - Administration), et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 397
TITLE: Local Governments - Collective Bargaining - Citizen Votes
Prohibiting a county or municipal corporation from enacting a law to contravene specified votes of its citizens concerning the collective bargaining rights of specified employees.

SPONSOR: Delegate Smigiel
ASSIGNED TO: Appropriations
MML POSITION:  O

HB 512
TITLE: Maryland Affordable Housing Investment Fund
Establishing the Maryland Affordable Housing Investment Fund and the Maryland Affordable Housing Investment Fund Board; requiring the Fund to be used in specified ways to support, foster, and promote affordable housing; specifying the source of moneys of the Fund; requiring that the Board annually allocate money from the Fund to specified local governments and to the Department of Housing and Community Development in a specified manner; imposing an annual State tax on specified property at a specified rate; etc. (Crossfiled as SB 302 by Senator Conway)

SPONSOR: Delegate McIntosh, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters & Ways and Means
MML POSITION:  SA

HB 628
TITLE: Department of the Environment - Grants and Loans - Small, Minority, and Women's Business Enterprises
Requiring applicants for financial assistance from specified environmental funds to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Department of the Environment, that specified steps were taken to include small business enterprises, minority business enterprises, and women's business enterprises; etc.

SPONSOR: Chair, Environmental Matters Committee
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 663
TITLE: Municipal Corporations - Building Excise Tax
Authorizing municipal corporations to impose, by ordinance or resolution, a building excise tax on all types of building construction within a municipal corporation; requiring the governing body of a municipal corporation to hold a public hearing before adopting a specified ordinance or resolution; prohibiting a municipal corporation from imposing a building excise tax if the municipal corporation imposes any type of impact fee; etc. (Crossfiled as SB 791-Forehand)

SPONSOR: Delegates Barve, Gilchrist, and Simmons
ASSIGNED TO: Ways and Means
MML POSITION:  S

HB 684
TITLE: Task Force to Study Motor Vehicle Towing Practices
Establishing the Task Force to Study Motor Vehicle Towing Practices in the State; providing for the membership of the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to study issues relevant to motor vehicle towing practices in the State; requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2008; providing for the staff of the Task Force; providing for the termination of the Act; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Stukes, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  SA

HB 694
TITLE: Public Health - Construction Sites - Rest Rooms
Prohibiting a State or local authority from issuing a building permit for specified construction projects unless the site has a toilet and lavatory that meet specified requirements; requiring toilets at specified sites to be flush toilets under specified circumstances; providing that the requirements of this section only apply to construction projects that have a total cost of $500,000 or more; and defining "building permit". (Crossfiled as SB 574 by Senator Klausmeier, et al.)

SPONSOR: Delegate Pendergrass, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Economic Matters
MML POSITION:  O

HB 857
TITLE: Municipal Corporations - Annexations - Small Parcels
Providing that referendum provisions do not apply to a proposed annexation into a municipal corporation of a parcel that is 5 acres or less and is part of a lot that contains another parcel that is already within the corporate area and includes a municipal boundary that existed before the lot was created.

SPONSOR: Delegate Carr, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 865
TITLE: Government Efficiency and Streamlining Operations
Requiring specified persons to use eMaryland Marketplace to advertise for a specified procurement and to publish notice of an award of a specified contract; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegates Morhaim, Bromwell, Miller, and Weldon
ASSIGNED TO: Health and Government Operations
MML POSITION:  SA

HB 892
TITLE: Property Tax Assessment Appeals - Due Date for Payment and Stay of Collection
Extending the due date for the payment of specified property taxes until final disposition of specified appeals of property tax assessments; providing that specified assessment appeals do not require the posting of a bond in order to stay collection of the property taxes; applying the Act to tax years beginning after June 30, 2008; etc. (Crossfiled as SB 466 by Senator Peters, et al.)

SPONSOR: Delegates Ross, Holmes, Hubbard, and Levi
ASSIGNED TO: Ways and Means
MML POSITION:  O

HB 921
TITLE: State Highway Administration - Unauthorized Signs on Rights-of-Way
Providing for original jurisdiction of the District Court for specified actions; prohibiting unauthorized signs within the right-of- way of a State highway; clarifying that such signs may be removed by the State Highway Administration or by other designated agencies; authorizing the State Highway Administration or a specified county or municipal corporation government to recover specified costs; providing for civil penalties; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Pena-Melnyk, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 1096
TITLE: Identity Fraud - Seizure and Forfeiture
Establishing that specified property that is used or intended for use in connection with a violation of the Identity Fraud law is subject to seizure and forfeiture; establishing conditions that would exclude specified property from forfeiture; establishing how specified property subject to forfeiture may be seized, with specified exceptions; establishing a deadline for filing a complaint seeking forfeiture; providing for the contents and distribution of a complaint; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegates Lee, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Judiciary
MML POSITION:  S

HB 1192
TITLE: Land Use - Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreements
Increasing from 5 to 10 years the time period after which a specified development rights and responsibilities agreement will be void under specified circumstances; and providing that a specified local jurisdiction may not enforce specified laws, rules, regulations, or policies governing the use, density, or intensity of specified real property that is subject to development rights and responsibilities agreements unless specified circumstances exist.

SPONSOR: Delegate G. Clagett
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  O

HB 1253
TITLE: Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Administrative and Enforcement Provisions
Authorizing the Maryland Home Improvement Commission to deny, reprimand, suspend, or revoke home improvement licenses for failure to comply with specified requirements in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays; authorizing the Critical Area Commission to adopt and amend specified regulations; requiring the Commission to adopt and amend specified regulations; etc. (Crossfiled as SB 844 by the President-By request of the Administration, et al.)

SPONSOR: The Speaker (By Request - Administration), et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  SA

HB 1278
TITLE: Municipal Corporations - Green Tax Reform
Exempting the stock in business of a person engaged in a manufacturing or commercial business from the municipal corporation property tax; authorizing a municipal corporation to impose a sales and use tax on specified fuel or energy used by commercial or industrial businesses in the municipal corporation; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Carr, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Ways and Means
MML POSITION:  O

HB 1301
TITLE: The Jane E. Lawton Loan Program
Establishing the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program; establishing the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Fund to finance the Program; consolidating specified programs administered by the Maryland Energy Administration into the Program; consolidating specified funds into the Fund; providing for the management and composition of the Fund; providing the powers and duties of the Administration with respect to the Program; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Frick, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Economic Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 1305
TITLE: Burglary and Robbery Alarm Systems - Response Verification - Requirements
Requiring alarm system contractors to call specified persons within 2 minutes to attempt to verify whether an activated signal from a burglary or robbery alarm requires a law enforcement response to an emergency situation except in specified circumstances; authorizing a local law enforcement unit to establish standards for an exemption from response verification requirements, issue a written exemption, and maintain a list of alarm users issued an exemption; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Hubbard, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Economic Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 1384
TITLE: Public Utility Companies - Maryland Energy Generation Authority
Establishing the Maryland Energy Generation Authority; authorizing the Authority to issue bonds for specified purposes under specified circumstances; requiring the Authority to procure the electric supply on behalf of certain purchasing pool members; requiring the Authority to give preference to specified sources of electricity when procuring electricity supply; requiring the Authority, in conjunction with the Maryland Energy Administration, to submit a specified plan and updates to the Public Service Commission before specified dates; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Rudolph
ASSIGNED TO: Economic Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 1415
TITLE: Economic Development - One Maryland Economic Development Tax Credits - Eligibility
Specifying that in order to be eligible for specified One Maryland Economic Development tax credits, a person must establish or expand a business facility that is located in a county that is a qualified distressed county or has been designated a qualified distressed county within the past 12 months.

SPONSOR: Delegates Cane, Conway, Glenn, Mathias, and Sossi
ASSIGNED TO: Ways and Means
MML POSITION:  S

HB 1418
TITLE: Task Force to Study Occupancy Limits on Rental Housing Near University Campuses
Establishing a Task Force to Study Occupancy Limits on Rental Housing Near University Campuses; providing for the composition of the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to elect a chair from among its members; requiring the Maryland Higher Education Commission to provide staff for the Task Force; prohibiting a member from receiving compensation, but entitling a member to reimbursement for specified expenses; providing for the duties of the Task Force; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegates Aumann, Boteler, and Lafferty
ASSIGNED TO: Environmental Matters
MML POSITION:  S

HB 1424
TITLE: Counties and Municipal Corporations - Transfer Tax
Authorizing specified counties to impose a transfer tax; authorizing municipal corporations to impose a transfer tax on properties transferred within a municipal corporation; limiting the rate of the transfer tax to be imposed by a county or municipal corporation; etc.

SPONSOR: Delegate Barve, et al.
ASSIGNED TO: Ways and Means
MML POSITION:  S