| Friend, On May 26, 2021, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed three bills that UULM-MD had designated as priority legislation and had passed the General Assembly. Two were immigration bills and one was a criminal justice bill. Once again, we will need to seek overrides of important bills in the next legislative session that begins January 12, 2022. Immigration Priorities Citing his opposition to legislation that would “hinder cooperation with federal law enforcement and make Maryland a sanctuary state,” Hogan claimed that “Flawed legislation such as this sets a dangerous precedent regarding the state’s commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of our citizens.” He particularly objected to provisions in HB 16, the “Dignity Not Detention Act,” that would prohibit law enforcement officers from inquiring about immigration status, citizenship status, or place of birth during a routine stop or search, stating that police should be able to make such inquiries during an arrest. In addition, the bill would have limited state and local participation with federal immigration authorities and ended private and state participation in detention centers. Hogan also objected to HB 23, the “Maryland Driver Privacy Act,” as it would “impede important criminal law enforcement investigations” by denying ICE access to driver records without a warrant. Immigration Task Force Chair Jim Caldiero has called these vetoes outrageous and is asking UULM-MD members to contact their Senators and Delegates now, asking them to commit to veto overrides next session. These measures are important to our goals of protect legal and undocumented immigrants from harassment and ending local police role in enforcing federal immigration law. Criminal Justice One of the most important priorities for criminal justice advocates is SB 202 which would reform the parole requirements by removing the Governor from a role in making final decisions on parole of individuals serving life sentences. In vetoing this measure, Governor Hogan cited his willingness to grant parole or clemency to some “lifers,” unlike his last three predecessors. Hogan claimed that his primary objection was that SB 202 would allow “individuals receiving a life sentence after October l, 2021, [to be] eligible for their first parole hearing after 20 years less diminution credits, which could be equivalent to 17.5 years.” He favors applying diminution credits in determining eligibility for parole, requiring all to serve a minimum of 20 years. While this may be his stated rationale for the veto, we believe that his true objection is the removal of the Governor from the parole process which would depoliticize the process and allow the experts on the Parole Board to make these decisions. Criminal Justice Task Force Chair Candy Clark will be also contacting members about overriding the veto of this important bill. While Governor Hogan has granted parole for some lifers, there is an election coming up next year, and we don’t know how the next Governor will view the parole of those serving life sentences. A number of other bills still await the Governor’s action, and we expect more news by Monday, May 31, his deadline. Many of our priority bills are still waiting on the Governor’s decision to approve or veto. This includes: Climate Change HB 768 – Montgomery County – Community Choice Energy – Pilot Program MC 17-21 HB 991 – Tree Solutions Now Act of 2021 HB 114 / SB 199 – Transportation – Maryland Transit Administration Funding and MARC Rail Extension Study (Transit Safety and Investment Act) HB 298 / SB 83 – Utility Regulation – Consideration of Climate and Labor SB 137 / HB 334 – Maryland Transit Administration – Conversion to Zero-Emission Buses (Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act) SB 65 / HB 875 – Electricity – Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – Tier 2 Renewable Sources, Qualifying Biomass, and Compliance Fees Five (5) other bills favorable for the environment Criminal Justice HB 445 / SB 671 – Criminal Procedure – Charging Procedures – Citations HB 89 – Correctional Services – Diminution Credits – Education HB 108 / SB 286 – Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services – Modifications Healthcare HB 463 / SB 172 – Maryland Health Equity Resource Act HB 565 / SB 514 – Health Facilities – Hospitals – Medical Debt Protection HB 780 / SB 729 – Maryland Health Benefit Exchange – State-Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Pilot Program HB 78 / SB 52 – Public Health – Maryland Commission on Health Equity (The Shirley Nathan-Pulliam Health Equity Act of 2021) Immigration HB 15 / SB 85 – Creating Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs LGBTQ+ HB 130 – Commission on LGBTQ Affairs – Established HB 231 – Crimes – Mitigation and Defense – Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation HB 128 / SB 220 – Criminal Law – Hate Crimes – Protected Groups and Penalties Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland | 4102668044 | info@uulmmd.org Follow us! Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences |
Maryland United for Peace and Justice 