Legislature Agrees on Flush Tax, Transpo, Weed

Energy and Environment - Flush Tax

A bill that would help efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay passed in the House Monday with Senate amendments.

The bill doubles a fee referred to as the "flush tax," which raises funds for updates of wastewater treatment plants, as well as septic systems and stormwater management.

Currently, the fee costs residents a total of $30 a year, but the bill could increase the fee to $60 a year for some residents.

Transportation

Cameras on the sides of school buses could snap photos of drivers who illegally pass, resulting in a fine up to $250.

Smokers will still be allowed to smoke with their children in the car after SB 559 was held up in committee and never reached a vote in the House.

Delegate Sam Arora, D-Montgomery, got clarification from the Attorney General's office that texting using voice recognition software is allowed in the state, while regular texting is still banned while driving.

It is unclear whether O'Malley's unpopular gas tax will be addressed in a special session of the legislature. He has also floated the possibility of adding a penny to the state sales tax to address Maryland's transportation infrastructure needs.

Marijuana De-Minimus

Anyone arrested for possession of a small amount of marijuana will likely see a reduced fine. Current law stipulates that a person in possession of marijuana can serve a maximum of one year in prison, but a new law will reduce the penalty for a person in possession of less than seven grams of marijuana to a maximum of 90 days in prison, or a fine of $500.