A House committee heard testimony on Thursday for a bill that would require more than two hours of physical activity every week for students in public elementary schools around the state.
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.
Police forces take icy dip to support Special Olympics
Maryland police officers jumped into the frigid waters of Sandy Point State Park Friday afternoon to raise money for the Special Olympics. Governor Larry Hogan also delivered remarks as part of the three-day Polar Bear Plunge event.
Defense dominates as Patriots top Rams, 13-3, in Super Bowl LIII
The New England Patriots captured their sixth championship in the past 17 years with a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta Feb. 3.
Mothers take on State House to push for additional gun control
They call themselves “Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America” and members of the Maryland chapter came to Annapolis on Thursday to push for new gun control provisions. The moms and their supporters say they want the legislature to ban “ghost guns” and 3D printed guns as well as require background checks for anyone wanting to buy a shotgun or long guns.
Senate committee hears testimony on governor’s Judicial Transparency Act
Members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard heated testimony for and against Governor Hogan’s proposed Judicial Transparency Act of 2019. The bill would require a state Sentencing Commission to publish an annual report that includes detailed, judge-by-judge information about the sentences handed down to convicted violent offenders.
Testimony presented defining eSports in Maryland, permitting prizes
Montgomery County Delegate Eric Luedtke says eSports is a “multi-billion dollar industry” and that Maryland’s laws need to catch up with the growing market. Luedtke, a sponsor of the legislation defining eSports and allowing prizes for those who play them, told a House Committee on Thursday that eSports could benefit the state with the dollars that it brings in.
House Democrats seek sweeping reforms on ethics, campaigns
After Democrats seized a majority in the House with a 40-seat swing in the 2018 midterm elections, Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes said the results were a call for election and ethics reform. The “For the People Act of 2019” is the House Democrats’ bid to enact those reforms.