Legislature passes bill to expand post-conviction relief

A bill addressing the rights of those convicted of violent crimes to challenge the conviction remained in the balance as the 2018 Maryland General Assembly session neared its end.

Annapolis roundup: Bill signing; veto override; census suit

Governor Larry Hogan signed seven bills while two of his vetoes were overridden. Meanwhile, Maryland joined 19 other states to sue the federal government over citizenship questions on the 2020 census.

Committee weighs bill to enforce Maryland hiring law

The Maryland House Appropriations Committee this week debated a bill regarding the hiring of state employees that would add more oversight to enforce laws enacted by the legislature more than a decade ago.

Maryland bill addresses questions about state hiring policy

Concerns about a possible hiring-policy change at the Maryland Department of Health involving Gov. Larry Hogan’s appointments office prompted legislation that would add more oversight to enforce laws enacted by the state more than a decade ago.

Bills would update Maryland’s forest conservation law

Maryland’s forest conservation law has failed to protect some of the state’s best forests, scientists and environmentalists say.

Pipeline protesters take frustrations to Hogan’s doorstep

Scores of environmentalists gathered Thursday night in Annapolis to protest a “Potomac Pipeline,” citing inaction on the part of the state in properly vetting the environmental impact of a project that would transport fracked natural gas under the Potomac River.

Legislative roundup: Oyster recycling; tobacco; female inmate health services

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — The Maryland Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would further incentivize oyster shell recycling. “This bill continues to promote a very viable shell recovery program that’s been in existence for five years,” said Sen. Stephen…

Bill gives parents ‘new tool’ to fight child’s addiction

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — One more day without treatment for a person struggling with opioids — as one Maryland delegate, a recovery expert and parents of children mired in addiction have said — could be the difference between life and death.…

Legislative Roundup: elephants, artificial turf, unspecified gender

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Bills that would outlaw using elephants in certain animal acts, ban using state funds for artificial turf fields or playgrounds, and adding “unspecified” to the gender selection option on a motor vehicle license or state IDs are…

Gov. Hogan announces cancer diagnosis; bills of interest

Gov. Larry Hogan announced in a news conference Thursday that he has developed a common and “not-serious” form of skin cancer, and will have a procedure to fully remove the cancerous spots from his forehead Saturday.