Elections
End of Session Wrap Up: Elections

Now that the dust has settled, this post provides the final status of many election related bills of interest. Voter Registration Data Exchange: HB 561/SB 765 authorizes the State Board of Elections (SBE) to enter into agreements with other states to exchange any data that the State Administrator of Elections determines is relevant to maintaining accurate voter registration lists.  Status:  Both bills have passed the General Assembly and are awaiting the Governor's signature. Online Voter…

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April 14, 2011
Bill Hearing / Finance and Procurement
End of Session Wrap Up: Finance and Procurement

Now that the dust has settled, this post provides the final status of finance and procurement related bills of interest. Transportation "Lock Box:"  Numerous pieces of legislation were introduced to prohibit the transfer of revenue from the Transportation Trust Fund to the State General Fund, requiring these revenues to be used for their intended purpose, transportation.  Some bills protected the historical local share of Highway User Revenue or amendments were offered to do so (HB…

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April 13, 2011
Health and Human Services
End of Session Update: Health Legislation

A previous post summarized the status of various health bills that MACo took a position on.    Now that the dust has settled, this post provides the final status of these bills. Ambulance Service Providers and Assignment of Benefits:  HB 83/SB 154 would require health insurers to reimburse an ambulance provider (must be owned, operated,or under the jurisdiction of a political subdivision or a volunteer fire company or rescue squad) directly for covered services.  If an ambulance…

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April 13, 2011
Taxes and Revenues
End of Session Update: Tax and Revenue Legislation

A previous post provided the status of various tax and revenue bills that MACo took a position on. Now that the dust has settled, this post provides the final status of these bills. Indemnity Mortgages: HB 420 would apply the recordation tax to an indemnity mortgage in the same manner as if the guarantor were primarily liable for the guaranteed loan. An indemnity mortgage is recorded to establish a lien on the property. It typically…

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April 13, 2011
Business Affairs
End of Session Update: Business Affairs

A previous post provided the status of various business affairs bills that MACo took a position on. Now that the dust has settled, this post provides the final status of these bills. Junk Dealers and Scrap Metal Processors:  HB 203 would clarify that Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Kent, Somerset, Washington, and Worcester counties fall under the statewide scrap metal legislation that passed last year.  MACo supported the bill to…

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April 13, 2011
Transportation and Public Works
End of Session Update: Transportation and Public Works

A previous post provided the status of various employee benefit and relation bills that MACo took a position on. Now that the dust has settled, this post provides the final status of these bills. Unauthorized Signs on Highway Rights-of-Way:  HB 289/SB 410 would authorize removal of improperly placed signs on highway rights-of-way by state or local authorities, and authorize a civil action to recover costs of their removal or disposal.  MACo supported the bill because…

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April 13, 2011
Employee Benefits and Relations
End of Session Update: Employee Benefits and Relations

A previous post provided the status of various employee benefit and relation bills that MACo took a position on. Now that the dust has settled, this post provides the final of these bills, which did not reach final passage until the last day. Direct Deposit of Wages:  HB 233/SB 484 would authorize counties and municipal corporations to pay employees’ wages by direct deposit.  The House and Senate took differing approaches with these bills and a…

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April 13, 2011