The House Economic Matters Committee on Wednesday heard from both supporters and opponents of a bill that would severely limit the availability and use of plastic straws in restaurants starting in 2020.
Annapolis
Maryland state senator called to active duty during the legislative session
Montgomery County State Senator Will Smith is being deployed. Smith, a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve, will soon be on his way to Afghanistan ten days before the 90-day session of the Maryland General Assembly wraps up.
Legislation would stiffen penalties for ransomware attacks
Using ransomware to hold computers hostage would draw stiffer penalties under legislation — prompted in part by attacks on Maryland hospitals over the past few years — state lawmakers are considering.
Schools may start before Labor Day as Senate bill advances
After several days of debate, a Senate bill to effectively rescind Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s executive order starting Maryland public schools after Labor Day passed 31-13 on Tuesday, with Democrats voting yes and Republicans voting no.
Maryland Senate votes to return school start dates to local school boards
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed an Executive Order in 2016, requiring Maryland’s public schools to begin classes after Labor Day. Now, Maryland senators are pushing back, approving legislation giving local public school boards throughout the state the authority, again, to determine the start and end date of the schools in their county. The measure now moves on to the House.
Sen. Will Smith to be deployed to Afghanistan in March
Sen. Will Smith, an officer in the United States Naval Reserve, is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan on March 29 in support of Operation Resolute Support.
Local officials team up to push for hike in state’s minimum wage
Several county executives and the mayor of Baltimore joined together on Thursday to urge the legislature and Governor to support an effort to increase the statewide minimum wage to $15. Governor Larry Hogan says he’s open to the conversation but isn’t convinced it’s needed because of concerns of the impact it would have on some businesses.
Bills would allow live-stream of Assembly, agency meetings
Greater transparency, public participation and ease of access are major reasons for bipartisan, video live-streaming bills reintroduced in the Maryland House and Senate this week, legislators said. Maryland General Assembly, State Board of Elections and Maryland Transportation Authority meetings would all be live-streamed if legislation passes this session.
Legislation would update Justice Reinvestment Act
After a comprehensive law overhauled the state’s criminal justice system, Maryland has seen a decline in the state’s prison and jail populations and more streamlined treatment for addicts who are charged with crimes, but advocates want to add to the law to keep inmates from returning behind bars.
Maryland could be banned from dredging Man O’ War Shoal
Legislation could ban the Department of Natural Resources from dredging oyster shells from the Man O’ War Shoal. This would directly counteract the Department of Natural Resources’ proposed Man O’ War Shoal Dredging Project, which would use the old shells recovered from the reef to establish new oyster habitats in the Chesapeake Bay’s tributaries.