Annapolis update

The state legislature in Annapolis is now in session. We will try as best we can to post here information about bills that may be of interest to the equestrian community. Please let us know if you hear of anything pending there that we have not listed - it is a very busy session (over 2000 bills are typically introduced) and we must rely on our volunteer staff to search the web for items of interest.

Note that you, too, can search the legislature's website. You can enter topics of interest, and any relevant proposed legislation will be highlighted. On that page, you can also find links to the various Committees' hearing schedules, as well as to the schedule for final floor votes on legislation that has been passed out of committee. Note that, in Maryland, every bill that is introduced gets a hearing, and every interested person is entitled to testify. On the page detailing the Committee schedules, you can find information about what you need to do to testify.

A functioning democracy requires that "We, the people" get involved! Cases in point: due to the active involvement of many citizens, including horse people, the Sunday hunting bills in Kent and Queen Anne's counties have been withdrawn, and Howard County has decided not to go ahead with its bill.

Here are some new bills of interest:

SB 961
Senator Peters
HORSE RACING – SPECIAL TAKEOUT AND BOWIE RACE COURSE TRAINING CENTER
Authorizing a racing licensee to offer wagers under regulations adopted by the State Racing Commission; requiring a racing licensee to deduct specified amounts from the handle; authorizing a racing licensee to conduct specified wagers only with the consent of the Commission and specified groups; authorizing the owner of the Bowie Race Course Training Center to convey the Center to the City of Bowie; requiring the owner of the Bowie Race Course Training Center to repair, maintain, and secure the Center; etc.
EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2013
BR, §§ 11-514 and 11-519
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/bills/sb/sb0961F.pdf

SB 858
Senator Simonaire
STATE RACING COMMISSION – EJECTIONS FROM RACE TRACKS – APPEALS
Authorizing racing license holders to appeal an ejection by racing licensees to the State Racing Commission; authorizing the Commission to refuse to hear appeals under specified circumstances; providing for the filing of appeals with the Commission; requiring licensees to provide written statements to a license holder; requiring the Commission to conduct hearings in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act; authorizing the Commission to take specified actions after a hearing; etc.
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2013
BR, § 11-211.1 - added
Assigned to: Senate Rules

 http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb0858&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2013RS

SB364

Multiple sponsors

AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT INTENSIVE FARMING AND GRAZING

Requiring the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service to provide a dedicated extension agent to assist individuals with the adoption of management-intensive farming and grazing practices; requiring the Governor to provide at least $500,000 each year to support the Department of Agriculture's activities related to management-intensive farming and grazing, beginning in fiscal year 2015; etc.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/bills/sb/sb0364f.pdf