NEWS FROM……………………….SENATOR RICHARD F. COLBURN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: RICH COLBURN
March 18, 2011 800-492-7122 ext. 3590
Senator Colburn Reports from Annapolis (This Week)
ANNAPOLIS – Senator Richard F. Colburn (R. Eastern Shore) updated the status of several bills that he has sponsored or cosponsored. Senator Colburn stated, “Senate Bill 538 (Natural Resources – Oyster Sanctuaries – Designation) passed the Senate on Wednesday, March 16 with a vote of 38 – 9. The bill will prohibit the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from designating more than 25% of the available oyster habitat in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay as oyster sanctuaries. This bill would prevent expansion of DNR oyster sanctuaries until we can determine how successful they are or are not.
Senate Bill 541 (Dorchester County Liquor Act of 2011) passed on Thursday, March 17. The bill repeals an obsolete residency requirement for voters supporting an application for an alcoholic beverages license in Dorchester County. The bill would also repeal obsolete language concerning Sunday alcoholic beverage sales in Dorchester County.
Senate Bill 542 (Housing Authorities – Consolidation or Merger – Talbot County and St. Michaels) passed on Thursday, March 17. The bill authorizes the Housing Commission of Talbot County and the St. Michaels Housing Authority to unite by consolidation or merger to form one authority. It would require the unification of the Housing Commission of Talbot County and the St. Michaels Housing Authority to be initiated by the passage of a proposal of unification by the legislative bodies of the Easton Town Council and the Town of St. Michaels Commissioners.
Senate Bill 102 (Caroline County – Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2011) will increase to 26 the times a Class BWTS beer and wine (on-premises) tasting or sampling license may be granted in a calendar year to a person in Caroline County. It would also alter the hours of sale for licensees and require that a licensee in the county or an employee of the licensee be certified by an approved alcohol awareness program be present during the hours in which alcohol may be sold.
On Tuesday, March 15, 2011, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard Senate Bill 18 (Vehicle Laws – Registered Sex Offenders – Drivers’ Licenses and Identification Cards). This bill would require the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, within 5 working days after receiving a specified sex offender registration statement, to send a copy of the statement to the Motor Vehicle Administration and require the Administration to place a notation or a code on a driver’s license or identification card issued or reissued to the individual who is the subject of the statement indicating that the individual is registered on the sex offender registry (Tier II and Tier III). The notation or code would only be recognizable to a police officer. Last Session (2010), Eastern Shore legislators worked on a comprehensive sex offender bill that revolved around the sad rape and murder of Sarah Foxwell. The result was the late introduction of a House and a Senate bill. Senator Bill 1065 and House Bill 1413 (Sexual Offenders Omnibus Act of 2010) did not pass. According to Wicomico Sheriff Mike Lewis, a key provision in the Eastern Shore Delegation bill dealt with an identification code on a driver’s license which could only be read by law enforcement officers and would identify convicted Tier II or Tier III sex offenders. Therefore, last year, I successfully amended House Bill 936 to include these drivers’ license provisions. The Senate voted 45 – 1 in favor of the amended House Bill 936. However, the Governor’s office and the House would not accept the amendments. I believe that if we’re serious about cracking down on sex offenders, we need to give our police officers this tool which is why I again introduced this very important piece of legislation. Currently, there are four other states that place notations on the driver’s license. They are as follows:
· Delaware – A “Y” is placed on the license as the code identifying a sex offender.
· Oklahoma – The license or ID card bears the words “Sex Offender”.
· Louisiana – The license bears the words “Sex Offender” in orange.
· South Dakota – Currently uses an encrypted bar code that identifies the person as a registered sex offender
· Kansas - Currently considering similar legislation that would mark the license with “Offender”.
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NEWS FROM……………………….SENATOR RICHARD F. COLBURN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: RICH COLBURN
March 18, 2011 800-492-7122 ext. 3590
Senator Colburn Reports from Annapolis (Next Week)
ANNAPOLIS – Senator Richard F. Colburn (R. Eastern Shore) reported that the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee recently heard Senate Bill 672 (Income Tax – Film Production Activity Credit) sponsored by Senator Kasemeyer (D. Balt. & How. Cty) Senator Colburn stated, “The bill would repeal the Film Production Rebate Program and it would again allow film production entities to claim a credit against the State income tax for certain costs incurred for film production activities within the State. The bill converts the existing Film Production Rebate Program into a tax credit program. The value of the subsidy to each qualifying company is equal to 25% of the qualified direct costs of a film production activity and 27% of the direct qualified costs of a television series. The Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) can award a maximum of $15 million in credits in each fiscal year. The State of Maryland has a long and successful history of moviemaking. Producing large scale movies in Maryland provides strong stimulus to the State’s economy by creating jobs for Maryland workers and generating sales by Maryland businesses. Significant amounts of State and local tax revenues are generated by the economic activity created from producing films in Maryland. Maryland’s geographic, cultural, physical, and historic attributes provide many favorable settings for film production in our State. In addition to economic benefits derived from film production activity, the long-term benefits include development and establishment of spin-off film production activities such as editing, sound production, creative and artistic activities, development of permanent facilities such as sound stages, studios, and cottage industries related to independent moviemaking, documentaries, advertising, and other film and video activity.
Comptroller Peter Franchot gave testimony in support of the bill. He stated, “Even though film production in Maryland has stagnated, according to reports, the trend is not irreversible. By allowing for certain tax credits and incentives outlined in this legislation, we can reverse course. The economic climate is very fragile and we have to continue to explore ways in which the state can increase revenue without raising taxes or fees. If passed, this legislation will grow the local economy and have a very positive impact on local businesses where production occurs.”
According to E. Scott Johnson, Chairman of the Maryland Film Industry Coalition, strong support was given to the bill. Mr. Johnson stated, “Currently, 44 states offer television and film production incentives, with Maryland ranking at the bottom. Pennsylvania has a $60 million production incentive program this year, scheduled to increase to $75 million next year; Florida’s program is $53.5 million in 2011, increasing to $74.5 million in 2012. Several states, including Georgia, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Connecticut, have no annual caps. Even West Virginia has a $10 million program; Rhode Island, $15 million. With a $1million program Maryland is unable to attract production activity. SB 672 provides for a $15 million annual cap.”
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