Hogan’s $61 million in budget cuts given seal of approval

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved $61 million in budget cuts from Gov. Larry Hogan after restoring cuts in aid to lower-income jurisdictions.

Maryland lawmakers share their post-session plans

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — After three months of legislating, the 2017 Maryland General Assembly session ended Monday at midnight. The end of the session is formally known as “Sine Die,” which is Latin for “without day.” Basically, it means “no scheduled follow-up.”  And…

Governor Hogan signs fracking ban into law

Governor Larry Hogan signs legislation to ban fracking on Tuesday, making Maryland the third state in the county to do so. The State Senate and House of Delegates overwhelmingly supported the ban before the bill hit the governor’s desk. The bill will go into effect on October 1st when a temporary ban on fracking expires.

Annapolis proposal would crack down on left-lane drivers

A state senate committee considers a House passed bill that would limit the use of the far left lane to passing vehicles. The proposed law would only impact roads with three or more lanes in one direction. Offenders would face the possibility of a fine.

Bill that would revive cash bail draws ire

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — About 100 people rallied on Tuesday, with the support of Maryland legislators, against a Senate bill that, they said, would walk back a ruling by the Maryland Court of Appeals regarding bail reform.

Bail reform supporters take their fight to the steps of the Maryland State House

arlier in the year, the Maryland Court of Appeals unanimously voted to change the standard used to determine if an individual should be required to pay a cash bail. Supporters of bail reform rallied Tuesday in Annapolis, saying Senate Bill 983 would undermine the Court of Appeals ruling.

Senate Dems push bills in time to override likely vetoes

Democrats in the Maryland Senate on Tuesday passed several pieces of legislation that are largely opposed by Gov. Larry Hogan, most notably a bill that would regulate the parameters for school evaluations and another that would require the state to fund Planned Parenthood should federal funding for that program be lost.

Natural Resources Dept. may regulate cownose-ray killing contests

The Department of Natural Resources plans to take pending state legislation to temporarily halt the contest-fishing of cownose rays and public comments about banning cownose ray tournaments in Maryland into consideration when it creates regulation to further administer the contests, according to a department representative.

Maryland lawmakers asked to expand protective order criteria

More efforts at the State House to provide help for domestic violence victims around the state by changing how the law interprets the word “abuse.”

Maryland House Judiciary Committee hears new sexual assault legislation

The House Judiciary Committee hears testimony on the Repeat Sexual Predator Prevention Act of 2017, legislation that’s intended to strengthen prosecutors’ cases in sexual assault trials.