Miscellaneous
HB 1441 Air Quality - Emissions Fees
This bill mandates that on a finding by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Washington, D.C. nonattainment area has failed to attain the federal one-hour ambient air quality standard for ozone by the applicable attainment date. Each major stationary source of volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides located in this state within the Washington, D.C. nonattainment area shall pay an annual fee to the Maryland Department of the Environment for nitrogen oxide emissions. The fee shall equal $5,000 for each ton of volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides emitted each year after the attainment year, in excess of 80% of the baseline amount. The fee will be adjusted annually for inflation. The fee shall be paid until the area is designated as in attainment of the one-hour ozone standard. The bill also establishes the ozone standard attainment fund to which the fees collected are to be deposited. Any person that has paid fees into the fund will be reimbursed for costs incurred in connection with the installation of air pollution control devices or other pollution prevention or reduction measures, approved by the department. In the event that this Act is no longer required, then the fees will be returned to each person and the provisions of this Act and any rule or regulation adopted under this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Heather Barthel
HB 1476 Public Assistance - Transitional Emergency Medical and Housing Assistance
The bill creates the Transitional Emergency Medical and Housing Assistance Fund that is designed to provide assistance of at least $185 month to residents who do not qualify for other state or federal programs and who are unable to gain employment due to medically verified conditions lasting at least three months. The bill, while subject to the availably of funding in the budget, requires the Social Services Administration to provide an itemized estimate for the program for the six months prior to budget submission. The bill requires the Governor to include the level of funding based on the six-month estimate in the budget.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Jim Kaufman
SB 621 State Procurement Contracts - Living Wage
The bill does not apply to nonprofit organizations. An employer must pay an employee at least $10.50 per hour if at least one-half of the employee's time during any work week relates to a state procurement contract for services or a subcontract for services for the duration of the contract. There are other provisions regarding adjusting the wage annually, posting requirements, reducing the wage if the employer offers health insurance, and a civil penalty not exceeding $50 per violation.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Heather Barthel
[ Go to Bills Introduced]
Public Health
SB 137 Self-Defense Act - Rule of Law
This bill sets up handgun certification requirements. It repeals the Secretary of State Police's ability to limit the geographic area, circumstances, or times of the day, week, month, or year in which a permit is effective. Additionally, this bill alters various time limits related to permits including: renewal for successive periods from 3 to 5 times and a person denied a permit or renewal or whose permit is revoked or limited may request an informal review within 30 days instead of 10 days.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Suchita Lorick
[ Go to Bills Introduced]
Tort Reform
HB 1108 Medical Injury Recoveries - Attorney's Fees
This bill adds an adult day care center and a hospice care program to the definition of "Health care provider". An attorney may not contract for or collect a contingency fee for a medical injury case occurring on or after June 1, 2004, in excess of the following limits:
- 40% of the first $200,000 recovered;
- 33 1/3% of the next $200,000 recovered;
- 25% of the next $200,000 recovered; and
- 15% of any amount recovered in excess of $600,000.
The limitations in the bill apply regardless of whether the amount recovered is by settlement, award, or verdict or the person for whom the amount is recovered is a responsible adult, a minor, or a person who is mentally incompetent. A division of fees between an attorney and a referring attorney may be made only if the attorneys are in the same firm or the division is in proportion to the services performed by each attorney, the claimant is advised in writing of and does not object to the participation of the referring attorney, and the total undivided fee is within the limits established by the bill. An attorney who violates this section is subject to disbarment, suspension, or other disciplinary action.
Effective Date: June 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Heather Barthel
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact Government Relations if you have concerns or would like additional information.
Your input assists us greatly in evaluating
and formulating the position of Johns Hopkins on all legislation.
Legislative Session Office
47 State Circle, Suite 203
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-269-0057
fax 410-269-1574
