Six Howard bills will be moving on to the General Assembly after receiving the go-ahead from the Howard delegation.
“These were easy ones,” said Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-District 9, referring to proposals ranging from seeking state money for a parking garage in historic Ellicott City to authorizing funds for parks projects.
Two bills were pulled for further review during the delegation?s first weekly meeting of the new session.
Kittleman requested the delegation wait to pass a measure granting workers? compensation benefits to auxiliary police officers. The county wants to make sure the bill gives only medical benefits to the officers, said Kittleman, who sponsored the bill. The bill states that these officers are “a covered employee”for benefits in case they are injured on the job.
“I don?t disagree,” Kittleman said of the desire to define the benefits coverage. “I just want to make sure I understand the language.”
Del. Gail Bates, R-District 9A, asked to remove a measure that would grant zoning inspectors the authority to impose fines for violations.
The bill, introduced at the request of County Executive Ken Ulman, would allow Howard to hold a proceeding to determine whether to impose the penalties, rather than going through the courts.
“My concern always is the government is, or is perceived to be, heavy-handed,” Bates said, explaining her hesitations to approve the measure.
ON THEIR WAY
These bills will go before the General Assembly for consideration:
» Three state bond bills of $500,000 each to:
» Plan, build and equip the Robinson Nature Center;
» Plan and design a recreational park at Blandair Regional Park in Columbia;
» Plan, build and equip the North Laurel Community Center;
» Authorizing $500,000 in state money for a parking garage in Ellicott City;
» Authorizing the county to grant a tax credit for certain residential property jointly owned by an individual and the county;
» Changing the county?s annual financial reporting filing date from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1.
Source: Howard County delegation
