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Final Report : April MAWC successful in fighting new DNR regulations in 2008! |
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Legislative/Regulatory Update This page will be updated periodically during the next 90 days of the General Assembly in order for MAWC members to have access to current legislative and regulatory information. The following bills are of interest to MAWC. Please contact your MAWC board member representative for more information. SB 21/HB 265, Criminal Law – Animal Cruelty – Penalties and Condition of Sentencing. SB21 was introduced by Senators Robey (Howard County) and Raskin (Montgomery County) and would increase the fine and sentence for anyone convicted of animal cruelty. It would also leave to the judge’s discretion whether that person would ever be able to own an animal. SB 21 had a hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on February 4 and HB 265 is scheduled for a hearing in the Judiciary Committee on February 11. Apparently, this bill stemmed from an incident in Howard County, near Montgomery County, where some teenagers got tired of shooting at road signs and decided to shoot two horses standing in their pasture. SB 33, Natural Resources – Right to Hunt, Fish and Harvest Wild Game. Senator Haines, who represents District 5 (Baltimore and Carroll Counties), introduced this bill, as an amendment to the Maryland Constitution, that would establish the constitutional right of every person to hunt, fish, or harvest wild game, subject to regulations and restrictions under laws that the General Assembly would enact. This would be put to the voters of Maryland to decide in the next general election for their adoption or rejection. SB 33 had a hearing in the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee (EHE) on February 2. SB 259/HB 502, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties – Deer Hunting. This same legislation was introduced last year (SB 944). It passed the full Senate 44-0 but died in the House of Delegates. This year, sponsors are trying to cover all their bases by cross filing the bill in the House. As you’ll recall, this legislation requires DNR to train rifle shooters to harvest deer. The Senate bill is assigned to the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House bill is assigned to the House Environmental Matters Committee. SB 259 is scheduled for a hearing in EHE on February 23 and HB 502 is scheduled for a hearing in the Environmental Matters Committee (ENV) on February 17. SB 362/HB 636, Natural Resources – Suspension of Hunting Licenses and Privileges. SB 362 was introduced by Senator Astle and HB 636 was introduced by Delegates Frush and Beitzel and would authorize DNR to suspend the hunting license and privileges for certain periods of time of a person who is convicted of a state or federal hunting violation. It would also prohibit that person from buying another hunting license or hunting, trapping, pursuing game, or chasing fox or other furbearers anywhere in the state. Neither of these bills has been scheduled for a hearing. SB 414/HB 248, Vehicle Laws – Equine Riding – Helmet Required for Minors. This legislation would require anyone under the age of 18 to wear a properly secured safety helmet when riding on a highway, an equine-riding path, or any other property open to the public or used by the public. It also provides for penalties. SB 414 is scheduled for a hearing in the Judicial Proceedings Committee on February 16 and HB 248 is scheduled in Environmental Matters on February 16. This legislation is based on similar legislation from last year that went nowhere. The misguided sponsors are basing it on an incident that happened in Florida – not in Maryland . While they have made a positive change concerning the organization that would test/approve helmet, they can’t seem to get a handle on exactly where this law would apply, i.e., what roads, showgrounds, farms that host horse shows,etc. The Maryland Horse Council is concerned that it will apply to dressage riders, who wear top hat, and western riders, who wear cowboy hats. The MHC and the Maryland Farm Bureau are working it. HB 301, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties – Deer Hunting. This bill would expand Sunday firearms season. Currently, hunters are permitted to use firearms to hunt deer on the first Sunday of firearms season only in most Maryland counties. This bill would allow gun hunting on the first Sunday of bow hunting season and each Sunday in the deer firearms season in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. HB 301 is being introduced by Delegates O’Donnell, Bohanan, Kullen, Proctor, Vallario, and Wood. This bill is scheduled for a hearing on February 17. HB 851, Talbot County – Deer Hunting on Private Property – Sundays, is a Talbot County Delegation bill that would allow bow hunting on Sunday. First Reader not yet available. HB 858, Montgomery County – Leghold or Body Gripping Traps – Prohibition, is a Montgomery County Delegation bill MC 16-10 and expands the prohibition of these traps. First Reader not yet available. HB 877, Baltimore County – Deer Hunting on Private Property – Sundays, would add Baltimore County to the list of counties that already allow Sunday bow and gun hunting. This bill (HB 663/09) was introduced last year by 16 delegates but was given an Unfavorable Report by Environmental Matters Committee. No hearing date has been set. SB 90, Secretary of Agriculture – Farm Quarantine. MDA also requested this bill that would expand the authority of MDA to quarantine farms that MDA has reason to believe have been exposed to or contaminated by a radiological or chemical toxic material or agent or is infected or infested with a disease or pest. It would restrict the use of farmland, livestock, crops, or farm products. The bill includes penalties and safeguards as MDA would be required to consult with the Governor and the Secretaries of Health and Mental Hygiene and Department of the Environment before issuing quarantine. SB 90 had a hearing in the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs (EHE) Committee on January 27 at 2 p.m. and has passed 2nd reader with amendments. INFORMATION ONLY HB 521, Anne Arundel County – Trapping – Rabies Vector Species . This bill was introduced by nine delegates from Anne Arundel County and would allow property owners/renters to trap – with a live trap not a snare, body-gripping or leghold trap – rabies vector species (fox, raccoon, or skunk). They then must promptly notify Anne Arundel County Animal Control of the capture and Animal Control would then take custody of the animal. INFORMATION ONLY. HB 876, DNR – Deer Hunting Licenses and Permits – Crossbow, introduced by Delegate Weir (Baltimore County), would prohibit DNR from requiring a person to get a separate permit to hunt with a crossbow if they already have a bow and arrow permit. First Reader is not yet available. INFORMATION ONLY. The Maryland General Assembly’s website, www.mlis.state.md.us, is packed with all sorts of information. You can find status of legislation, bill hearings, legislators’ biographical information, contact information and much, much more. |