The discussion continued this week on how to respond to the Potomac River sewage spill and its effects on our State’s environment and economy. As one of the first State officials to call for action on this important issue, Senator Bailey knows that it is vital that the conversations about this ecological catastrophe must remain focused on helping protect our natural resources and our fellow Marylanders who will suffer economic hardships due to the effects of this spill on tourism and our commercial seafood industry.
Senator Bailey will continue to call for expanded, transparent water quality monitoring and public reporting, the development of an immediate mitigation and cleanup coordination plan, an assessment of the economic impacts on seafood harvesters, tourism, and small businesses, and for the State to pursue legal and financial remedies to recover damages from those responsible for this spill.
Senate Bill 807
On Friday, the Senate Finance Committee heard Senate Bill 807 – Alcoholic Beverages – Class 8 Farm Brewery and Class 10 Farm Distillery Licenses. This bill would support Maryland small businesses by establishing a new Farm Distillery License and revising provisions of law governing the existing Farm Brewery License. Senator Bailey is proud to have sponsored this legislation to support Maryland’s agricultural community and foster private sector economic growth in our State.
Co-Sponsored Bills
In addition to his legislative agenda, Senator Bailey is also working with his colleagues in the Senate to support legislation to address other issues of importance to District 29 and the State of Maryland this year. He is proud to have co-sponsored several legislative initiatives this year, including:
Senate Bill 82 – Criminal Law – Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property – Penalty is intended to continue the work that the General Assembly has done to combat squatting in Maryland by prohibiting a person from creating, aiding in the creation of, or possessing a counterfeit lease or rental agreement with the intent to defraud another.
Senate Bill 104 – Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Commission (Fair Districts for Maryland Act) would establish new standards for Maryland’s congressional and legislative districts and create a bipartisan commission to draw district lines to limit partisan gerrymandering in our State.
Senate Bill 106 – Vehicle Laws – Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program – Repeal and Senate Bill 896 Vehicle Laws – Registration Fees – Alterations would provide much-needed financial relief to Maryland drivers by repealing the increases in vehicle registration fees that the General Assembly has passed over the previous two sessions and eliminating the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program.
Senate Bill 382 – Retire in Maryland Tax Relief Act would provide tax relief to our State’s seniors by phasing out income taxes for Marylanders aged 77 and older and eliminate income taxes for Marylanders aged 80 or older.
Senate Bill 454 – Public Schools – School Resource Officers – Firearms Required would require all school resource officers to carry a firearm while present on the premises of the school to which the officer is assigned.
Senate Bill 567 – Elections – In-Person Voting – Proof of Identity would require voters to provide identification in order to vote in Maryland elections.
Senate Bill 579 – Counties – No–Cost Preventive Cancer Screenings for Volunteer Firefighters would require counties to provide free cancer screenings to volunteer firefighters.
Senate Bill 580 – State Government – Walk-In Service Requirements would require State government agencies that offer services to the public to provide walk-in service without an appointment at least one day a week.
Senate Bill 583 – Developmental Disabilities Administration – Self-Directed Services Manual – Public Comment would require the Developmental Disabilities Administration to provide public notice before making changes to the Self-Directed Services Manual and to receive and consider public comments on the proposed changes for at least 90 days providing this notice.
Senate Bill 640 – Criminal Procedure – Postconviction Release – Crimes Resulting in Death of Young Victim would prohibit a court from releasing a defendant after conviction pending sentencing or exhaustion of any appellate review if the defendant was convicted of a crime of violence or child neglect and the crime resulted in the death of a victim younger than age 14.
