Monday, April 19, 2010

We won! (for now)

It took me a little extra time to get all the facts straight, but the proposed 2010 NDZ legislation for Maryland is officially dead.  The confusion was from the Senate, where the committee passed the bill with amendments.  It was quite decent what they had done (read it here - PDF format).  They changed the bill into a "study" bill, with DNR taking the lead and having a due date of 12/1/11.  That would have ensured no other NDZ legislation until at least the 2012 legislative session.  However, that bill died in the House, and thus, nothing on this topic passed.  What does this mean?  For right now, it's over.  But I would venture to guess that if Doug Gansler is re-elected as AG come November, he'll bring it up again for the 2011 session.  And if he does, I'll be there to fight it.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Update: SB 513 was voted on in Education Health and Environmental Affairs, this afternoon.

"SB 513 was amended and turned into a “study bill.” The bill now says that the Department of Natural Resources shall study and make recommendations for initiating a no-discharge zone in all Maryland waters. The final report will be due to the Governor and General Assembly on or before December 1, 2011. Maryland waters will most likely not be deemed a no-discharge zone until the study is completed.

SB 513 will most likely be on the floor of the Senate tomorrow for approval by the entire Senate body. As we are only four working days from the end of the legislative session, I am unsure if the amended version of this bill will have time to get through the Senate and the House as is required for a bill to become a law."
 
I'm going to hope the lack of days remaining helps defeat this still horrible legislation.  Considering that DNR reports to the AG's office, I'm not real confident this will be a fair and scientific study.

Monday, April 5, 2010

CALL TO ACTION - SB513 scheduled for a vote this week!

The Senate Bill still survives.  If you're against this bill (SB513), then please take a few moments to call the Senators on the committee who will be voting on it this week.  Here's a list (it's much shorter than the House).  If you don't have time for all, please at least contact the first two.  PLEASE BE NICE!  Senator Conway has been known to swing her vote against mobs of callers who aren't nice.

*Joan Carter-Conway - 3145# - Joan.Carter.Conway@senate.state.md.us


Roy P. Dyson - 3673# - Roy.Dyson@senate.state.md.us

Richard F. Colburn - 3590# - Richard.Colburn@senate.state.md.us
*David C. Harrington - 3745# - David.Harrington@senate.state.md.us
Andrew P. Harris - 3706# - Andrew.Harris@senate.state.md.us
*Mike Lenett - 3151# - Mike.Lenett@senate.state.md.us
*Paul G Pinsky 3155# - Paul.Pinsky@senate.state.md.us
Edward R. Reilly - 3568# - Edward.Reilly@senate.state.md.us
James C. Rosapepe - 3141# - Jim.Rosapepe@senate.state.md.us


(To contact by telephone, enter the extensions above after 1-800-492-7122, followed by the # sign)