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Maryland General Assembly continues session during coronavirus outbreak Maryland General Assembly continues session during coronavirus outbreak
(about 2 hours later)
Limited staff in legislative offices. No members of the public at bill hearings. No rallies, no receptions and no Statehouse tours. Limited staff in legislative offices. No members of the public at bill hearings. No rallies, no receptions and no State House tours.
But there will be a flurry of activity in Annapolis as the General Assembly continues its work on Friday amid a coronavirus outbreak that has forced the closure of public schools, the activation of the National Guard and the prohibition of events that draw 250 or more people. But there will be a flurry of activity in Annapolis as the General Assembly continues its work on Friday amid a coronavirus outbreak that has forced the closure of public schools, the activation of the National Guard and the prohibition of events that draw 250 or more people.
The presiding officers issued a statement late Thursday to their members that the General Assembly would hold a rare weekend session to consider some of the “critical” bills that need legislative approval before session ends next month — if not sooner. The presiding officers issued a statement late Thursday to their members that the General Assembly would hold a rare weekend session to consider some of the “critical” bills that need legislative approval before the session ends next month — if not sooner.
Of the 2,746 bills introduced in the General Assembly since the 90-day session began on Jan. 8, only two emergency measures have been enacted.Of the 2,746 bills introduced in the General Assembly since the 90-day session began on Jan. 8, only two emergency measures have been enacted.
“We have asked House and Senate leadership to prioritize legislation in their communities to the extent possible to finish critical bills in an expedited fashion,” the joint statement reads. “In order to fulfill our constitutional duties and protect the health and safety of all Marylanders, we need to be sure that the Governor has the resources necessary to maintain public health during this extraordinary time.”“We have asked House and Senate leadership to prioritize legislation in their communities to the extent possible to finish critical bills in an expedited fashion,” the joint statement reads. “In order to fulfill our constitutional duties and protect the health and safety of all Marylanders, we need to be sure that the Governor has the resources necessary to maintain public health during this extraordinary time.”
Among the important bills that still need attention are the $48.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year, a measure that contains an additional $10 million to deal with fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. Hogan has already signed an emergency measure that made $50 million to the governor to deal with the pandemic. Among the important bills that still need attention are the $48.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year, a measure that contains an additional $10 million to deal with fallout from the novel coronavirus outbreak. Hogan has already signed an emergency measure that gave $50 million to the governor to deal with the pandemic.
Legislative leaders have yet to act on an emergency bill, introduced by Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Clarence K. Lam (D-Howard), the Senate’s lone doctor, that would reduce costs for testing for the virus, prohibit price gouging, improve access to telehealth and ensure private and public workers under quarantine do not lose their jobs.Legislative leaders have yet to act on an emergency bill, introduced by Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Clarence K. Lam (D-Howard), the Senate’s lone doctor, that would reduce costs for testing for the virus, prohibit price gouging, improve access to telehealth and ensure private and public workers under quarantine do not lose their jobs.
Lam said the legislation enables Hogan to take actions to protect residents from the coronavirus and to ensure those who may contract the virus receive the help they need. Lam said the legislation enables Hogan to take actions to protect residents from the novel coronavirus that causes the disease covid-19 and to ensure those who may contract the virus receive the help they need.
On Thursday night, in its second session of the day, the House opened with a rousing prayer by Del. Ric Metzgar (R-Baltimore County), a minister, who “rebuked” infectious diseases to stay away from the members of the House of Delegates. Some delegates were heard shouting “amen” and the chamber cheered when he closed the prayer. On Thursday night, in its second session of the day, the House opened with a prayer by Del. Richard W. Metzgar (R-Baltimore County), a minister, who “rebuked” infectious diseases to stay away from the members of the House of Delegates. Some delegates were heard shouting “Amen,” and the chamber cheered when he closed the prayer.
The House continued to conduct business as usual — sort of. They gave final approval to a bill that would raise the marriage limit; another measure, introduced by Jones, to end the stalemate between the state and historically black colleges and universities and another bill to broaden the state’s hate crime law. The bill would allow a person to be charged with a hate crime if they were motivated “in whole or in substantial part” by another person’s race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or national origin, or because another person or group is homeless. The House continued to conduct business as usual — sort of. They gave final approval to a bill that would raise the marriage limit; another measure, introduced by Jones, to end the stalemate between the state and historically black colleges and universities; and another bill to broaden the state’s hate crime law. That bill would allow a person to be charged with a hate crime if they were motivated “in whole or in substantial part” by another person’s race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or national origin, or because another person or group is homeless.
The chamber cheered after the two bills passed. The chamber cheered after the three bills passed.
During the announcement of committee meetings, a member of the freshman caucus announced that they would still hold their “crossover party” on Thursday night. During the announcement of committee meetings, a member of the freshman caucus said that they would still hold their “crossover party” on Thursday night.
“Since we’ve been breathing on each other for the past two months,” Del. Nicole Williams (D-Prince George’s) said the party was still on. “If you don’t feel comfortable attending, no pressure.” “Since we’ve been breathing on each other for the past two months,” Del. Nicole A. Williams (D-Prince George’s) said, the party was still on. “If you don’t feel comfortable attending, no pressure.”
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