en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en
They start out with such promise — but get knocked out of contention by competing legislation, an unsympathetic committee, a fatal amendment, a lopsided floor vote.
As the Maryland General Assembly rushes to complete work on legislation by Monday's midnight deadline, a number of bills filed early in this year's legislative session have joined the ranks of the unchosen, dying quietly as the session wanes.
Here's a sampling of bills by local lawmakers that have been recently rejected:
• A bill filed by Sen. Andrew Serafini, R-Washington, was intended to make suspending students for threats or disruption a little easier
• Proposals from Del. Neil Parrott, R-Washington, to require parallel parking as part of the state's driver's license exam and to spell out drivers' rights during traffic stops
• A Parrott bill to include "pedestrian hybrid beacons" — special traffic lights for pedestrian crossings in areas where there are no full traffic signals — in the Department of Transportation's traffic-control devices manual
• Parrott's "castle doctrine" bill, which would allow residents to use deadly force against an intruder. It's the third time in five years this bill has been rejected by the House Judiciary Committee
• Parrott's bill to seek an amendment to the Maryland constitution requiring single-member districts for House of Delegates members
• Proposals from Parrott to require proof of citizenship for voter registration and proof of voters' identification at polling places. It's the fourth year in a row that both have been rejected
• The "Truth in Speed Cameras Act of 2018," filed by Del. William J. Wivell, R-Washington, which would require posting a driver's speed approaching the camera and only allow drivers to be fined on school days, beginning one hour before school starts and ending an hour after classes are dismissed
• Bills sponsored by Wivell and Serafini to exempt facilities with on-site health clinics from Maryland's new paid sick leave requirements
• A bill requested by the Washington County Board of Education to change the Student Safety and Support Act to require counties to transmit arrest information in a confidential file when students move to another public school system in the state
Many more bills were dangling in legislative committees as the last full week of the legislative session nears its end. The House will meet on Saturday to try to complete work on legislation before the session ends Monday night.
And those bills not reaching the floor of both the House and Senate by midnight?
Just like Cinderella's carriage, poof! They disappear.
At least until next year.
Careers Staff Directory Accessibility Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy
Contact Us Support Local Business Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide My Account Give Feedback