Maryland Legislative Watch2016 HB 74 and SB 117, sponsored by Delegate Busch and Senator Miller, propose to increase the number of judges in certain Maryland counties and Baltimore City. These bills are at the request of the Maryland Judiciary. Judgeships would increase by: Circuit Court: Anne Arundel, Charles, Frederick, Harford, and Prince Georges Counties - 1 each Baltimore
MD SB 127, sponsored by Senator Serafini, proposes to, “decrease income taxes for certain higher-income taxpayers who file returns jointly, as a head of household, or as a widower by establishing new individual income tax rate brackets and increasing the personal exemption amount.” Current wage/income tax tables: Proposed wage/income tables: Send email to the Senate Budget and
2016 SB 153, sponsored by Senator Reilly proposes to add the choice for an “enhanced” driver license, ID card, or moped operator’s permit with a biometric identifier. Senator Reilly sponsored this same bill last year and the year before. (II) “BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIER” INCLUDES: 1. FINGERPRINTS; 2. AN IMAGE OR ANY OTHER IDENTIFIER THAT WOULD ALLOW
HB 71, sponsored by Delegates Luedtke and Frush, proposes to raise Maryland’s tobacco tax. This legislation also establishes a tax on cigarillos and increases the annual appropriation for activities aimed at reducing tobacco use in Maryland. Highlights: Cigarette tax per pack would rise from $2.00 to $3.00 (50% increase). Cigarillos would be taxed at the same
2016 SB 41, proposed by Senator Brochin, proposes to repeal the possible jail sentence for someone pulled over while driving on a suspended license (whether suspended by Maryland or another state). Sections in brackets [ ] are proposed deleted/repealed from current Maryland Transportation Article 27–101.: [§ 16–303(h) (“Licenses suspended under certain provisions of Code”); (13) § 16–303(i)
2016 HB 1, sponsored by Delegate Barve, proposes to prohibit the Maryland MVA from issuing or renewing vehicle license plates that display the Confederate flag. This effort is bi-partisan and supported by Maryland Governor Hogan. (4) THE ADMINISTRATION MAY NOT: (I) AUTHORIZE THE DISPLAY OF AN EMBLEM OR A LOGO THAT DEPICTS THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE
HB 56, sponsored by Delegate K. Young, proposes to remove legal penalties certain patients who try experimental drugs. Under this proposed legislation, those with terminal illnesses, under a narrow set of circumstances, may try investigational drugs with no legal penalty. (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (B) “ELIGIBLE PATIENT” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL