HB72 – The Delegate John Arnick Electronic Communications Traffic Safety came to the floor of the House of Delegates today and received a vote of 133-2.  This bill would prohibit the use of a text messaging device to write or send a test message while operating a motor vehicle in motion or in the travel portion of the roadway.  Violations of this provision could result in a fine up to $500.  John Arnick was a Delegate from Baltimore County who passed away recently.

Today is Cross over Day for Legislation.  When I first came here I did not completely understand the importance of this day.  We had double sessions on Saturday and will have double sessions today to get as many bills out of the House of Delegates and crossed over to the Senate.  Those bills will be insured a hearing before a Senate committee.  Any bills that cross over after this date have an additional hurdle, in that they are first assigned to the Rules Committee before going to Committee.  This same procedure also affects Senate bills coming to the House.  All of my bills have been heard by committee and are in the queue for voting.

One of the highlights of my work here in Annapolis is seeing the work of Charles County students hanging in the tunnel going toward the Senate.  Each year, the States asks county school boards to bring representative work from students to decorate the tunnels.

This year the pictures are exceptionally good and vibrant with colors.  I hope these students retain their interest in art in the future.  There is a lot of talent in these pictures.  Congratulations!

Many of you will remember that the Charles County Commissioners’ Legislative Proposal #3 dealt with imposing an additional tax on hotel rooms in the planned Swann Point Development.  That proposal has now passed the House of Delegates with a vote of 123-11.  This will allow the county to impose a special hotel rental tax not to exceed the current hotel tax which can be used to insure financing, refinancing, or reimbursement of costs for the property.

Today I listened to debate on HB315 – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009.  This bill calls on the Department of Environment to publish and update an inventory of statewide greenhouse gas emissions for calendar year 2006.  A Task Force will be established to submit a proposed plan to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 20011 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from the 2006 levels by 2020.  A further goal is reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 2006 levels by 2050.

The goal is to reduce these emissions with no loss of jobs, no loss of industry, and be mindful of the impact of this goal on various regions in Maryland.  This is no small task.  The legislation passed the House with a vote of 107-31.