Legislative Report

The 425^th Session of the Maryland General Assembly began today and will adjourn on April 7, 2008. There are 79 pre-filed House bills and 37 pre-filed Senate bills. The last date for Senate bills to be introduced (without going to Rules Committee) is February 1^st. The last day for House bills to be introduced (without going to House Rules Committee) is February 8^th. The legislators will produce and review more than 2300 new bills.

One of the issues facing the General Assembly is a repeal of the computer services sales tax. The lobbyist hired by a computer services group will receive $25,000 a month toward that goal. Since the tax does not take affect until June of 2008, the computer services group feels they stand a chance at getting the repeal.

Some of the pre-filed bills are as follows:

• HB 2 – Public Safety-Handgun Permits-Repeal of Finding Requirement
• HB 6 – Criminal Procedure-Custodial Interrogation-Electronic Recordation
• HB 10 – Unattended Child Protection Act of 2008
• HB 13 – Landlord and Tenant –Commercial Retail Property-Common Area Maintenance Records
• HB 18 – Sex Offender Registry-Former Names, Nicknames, and Electronic Communication Identifiers
• SB 2 – Vehicle Laws-Use of Wireless Communication Devices While Driving-Prohibitions
• SB 30 – Motor Vehicle Accident Reports-Access-Members of the General Assembly ***Gives legislators an exemption to the 60 day rule.

Many of the pre-filed bills have hearings set on January 14^th. Please check your emails frequently for legislative alerts and respond when asked quickly.

On opening day of the General Assembly, some of the talk was about bills that would help Maryland comply with the Real I.D. Act. This may be an issue for us to watch closely. It was a general feeling that this is going to be a difficult year in Annapolis.

Sergeant Jimmy Russell has replaced retired TFC Childress as the auditor for MSP.

Respectfully Submitted By,

Kathy Morris