MD 2011 Legislative Wrap-Up

Lifestyles.....

• 9% sales tax on Alcohol = OUCH!


• http://wine.woot.com will be particularly pleased that the the Direct Shipment of wine bill passed


• Wait just a minizzle!?!?!?! Medical Marijuana in MD?


• Civil Unions tabled again

and Energy dominated the MD General Assembly this year. 

2011 MD Legislative Wrap-up           This year, the House of Delegates focused on addressing Maryland's structural deficit, ensuring long-term viability of the retiree benefit system, and funding education programs to ensure a strong future for the State's knowledge-based economy.  During Session, a total of 2,353 bills were introduced (998 from the Senate and 1,355 from the House of Delegates) and 17 joint resolutions were considered.        By midnight on Sine Die, April 11, the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) had passed 707 bills (319 from the Senate and 388 from the House of Delegates) and one joint resolution (HJ 7 - Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law).  Below is a brief recap of some key issues considered this Session.  Maryland State Budget - PASSED - This year the MGA closed the structural deficit by 40%.  There remains a $1.2 billion deficit which the legislature will try to eliminate in the next two years.  Alcohol Tax - PASSED - The General Assembly passed two supplementary appropriation bills (SB 994 and HB 1213, both passed) increasing the sales tax on alcoholic beverages from 6% to 9% as of July 1.  The bills specify that the additional revenues fund the Waiting List Initiative in the Developmental Disabilities Administration, fund additional education aid, and provide additional money during fiscal 2012 for public school construction projects. Direct Shipment of Wine - PASSED  - Bills authorizing the direct shipment of wine to consumers in Maryland passed this Session.  SB 248 and HB 1175 (both passed) repeal a direct wine seller's permit and establish a direct wine shipper's permit, that allows licensees to ship wine directly to consumers for personal consumption.  The wine shipper's permit is available only to an applicant who is either licensed outside of the State to engage in the manufacture of wine, or is a holder of a State issued Class 3 manufacturer's (winery) license. Medical Marijuana - PASSED   - SB 308 creates a medical marijuana model program workgroup to develop a model program for facilitating patient access to marijuana for medical purposes and propose legislation to that end.  By December 1, 2011, the workgroup's findings must be reported to the appropriate legislative committees. Same Sex Marriage - FAILED - Unsuccessful legislation would have made valid a marriage between two individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from marrying (SB 116, HB 55, and HB 175 all failed) and would have amended the Maryland Constitution to establish that a marriage between a man and a woman is not the only domestic legal union valid or recognized in this State (HB 963, failed).  This bill has been recommitted to the House Judiciary Committee. Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act - FAILED - Administration bills, SB 861/HB 1054 (both failed), would have required the Public Service Commission (PSC) to order certain electric companies to enter into long-term power purchasing agreements with at least one "qualified offshore wind generator."  Under the measures, the PSC would have established surcharges equitably among customers to covers costs of establishing the purchase agreements. Natural Gas Exploration - Marcellus Shale - FAILED - The General Assembly failed to pass bills that would have required the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to submit regulations related to gas exploration and production in the Marcellus Shale formation by December 31, 2011 (SB 422/HB 411, both failed) and bills that would have called for MDE and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to study gas extraction in the formation and report by August 1, 2013 (SB 634/HB 852, both failed). Higher Education - Tuition Rates - Exemptions - PASSED - SB 167 exempts certain individuals who attended and graduated from Maryland high schools or received the equivalent of a high school diploma from paying out-of-state tuition at State community colleges if they also meet certain income tax documentation and selective service registration requirements.  Those who are not permanent residents must promise to apply to become a permanent resident within 30 days after becoming eligible to do so.  An individual who satisfies the requirements for the community college out-of-state tuition exemption and who also was awarded an associate's degree or achieved 60 credits at a State community college is eligible to pay the in-state tuition rate at a State public senior higher education institution.