Since the General Assembly is now mid-way through its 90-day session, I wanted to update you on what’s happening in Annapolis.

This past week proved to be a very eventful one:

Clean Cars. The House of Delegates approved the “clean cars” bill, which had previously been endorsed by the committee I serve on, the House Environmental Matters Committee. The clean cars bill would require every new car sold in Maryland to be more fuel-efficient, beginning with the 2011 model year. The legislation’s goal is to reduce air pollution, decrease carbon dioxide emissions (which cause global warming), and reduce the respiratory diseases, including asthma, that affect thousands of Marylanders.

Early Voting. The Senate approved a constitutional amendment that would allow early voting. The House of Delegates approved a similar measure the previous week. Once the differences are worked out in a conference committee, both chambers are likely to pass a final version of an early voting amendment. Since the amendment needs to be approved by the voters, it will be put on the ballot in the November 2008 election. I support the amendment as providing an opportunity for more people to vote.

Ground Rent. My committee (House Environmental Matters) heard testimony on a series of ground rent bills. Among other things, these bills would replace the practice of ejecting homeowners for late or non-payment of ground rent with a court-supervised lien process, facilitate easier redemption of ground rents, and create an on-line registry of properties subject to ground rent. I am the sponsor of HOUSE BILL 502, which would remedy many of the problems in the ground rent system that stem from a lack of notice to ground rent tenants and owners. My bill would require: ground rent owners to notify ground rent tenants when ground rent is due, tenants to notify owners when they move, and a listing of tenants’ rights and responsibilities in the sale of properties subject to ground rent.

Biofuels. This week also marked the first hearing on one of my bills, HB 416. The bill would add a member to the Maryland Agricultural Commission for an individual from the biofuel industry. Biofuels have great promise, since they are cleaner than fossil fuels and create jobs in agriculture, but the industry is in its infancy in Maryland. The House Environmental Matters Committee approved the bill on Thursday. The next step will be a vote by the full House.

This week, I am looking forward to hearings on four more of my bills, all of which relate to increasing energy conservation and the use of renewable energy:

HB 1062, the Alternative Energy Acceleration Act, would increase the percentage of electricity sold in Maryland that comes from renewable energy. (This is known as the “renewable energy portfolio standard,” or RPS.) Currently, Maryland’s standard is quite low – one of the lowest of any state that has an RPS. My bill would double the current requirement, so that by the year 2019, 15% of the electricity sold in Maryland would come from renewable sources (wind, solar, biomass, and others).

HB 744 would require utility companies to offer home energy audits upon request. Utility companies used to offer such audits, which identify ways for homeowners to conserve energy, prior to deregulation.

HB 978 would establish a grant fund for new small businesses that buy a portion of their electricity from renewable sources.

HB 745 would require that certain state-owned heating systems and heavy equipment use fuel that is 5% biodiesel.

I am proud to be representing you in Annapolis and to be a part of the District 11 legislative team. Please contact me with any comments or feedback and if I can be of any assistance.

Best,

Delegate Dana Stein

410-841-3527