Maryland Governor Signs Terrapin Bills

[Richard Stanley]

Richard Stanley

April 25, 2007 at 7:27 am #24713

Attachments : Maryland Governor signs Terrapin Conservation Bills Standing behind Senate President Miller with only the top of his head showing is Senator Roy Dyson, our Senate sponsor for the Terrapin Bills. The Bills ban all commercial harvesting of diamondback terrapins in Maryland. Richard B. Stanley, Esq. Email: Stanleyrb1@… 20023 Bollinger Road Fax: (410) 510-1365 Manchester, Maryland 21102 Home/Office: (410) 343-1671 Cell: (443) 514-4682 After a 2001 Diamondback Terrapin Task Force Report that suggested a moratorium as well as harvest restrictions, but essentially gathered dust; and after 2006 legislation that was amended to eliminate its purpose of banning terrapin harvests, we finally have a law in Maryland that bans all commercial harvesting of diamondback terrapins, as well as, providing for other restrictions, making Maryland___s law one of the most protective laws in the US. The law also requires the promulgation of regulations for the conservation of diamondback terrapins. A pair of diamondback terrapins stole the show at a bill-signing ceremony in Annapolis attended by (from left) Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, Gov. Martin O’Malley, Del. Virginia Clagett and House Speaker Michael E. Busch. A pair of diamondback terrapins stole the show at a bill-signing ceremony in Annapolis attended by (from left) Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, Gov. Martin O’Malley, Del. Virginia Clagett and House Speaker Michael E. Busch. (Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor) Apr 24, 2007 O’Malley signs bill to curb vehicle emissions Voting reforms for ex-convicts also among 178 measures signed into law By Andrew A. Green Sun Reporter Originally published April 24, 2007, 12:43 PM EDT Gov. Martin O’Malley signed into law today legislation to require stricter emissions limits on new cars, bills to protect the diamondback terrapin and restore the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population, as well as a controversial measure to allow ex-convicts to vote. In a legislative session when attempts to tackle major issues such as health-care expansion failed amid concerns about the state budget, environmental proposals gained widespread and often bipartisan support. O’Malley said the success of the legislation is evidence of the long-standing consensus in Maryland behind environmental protection. “Without a divisive debate and a veto and a veto override, a lot of this slipped through without a lot of attention,” O’Malley said. “I’m inclined to veto all of these so we can go back and pass them all over again because it felt so good.” The highest profile environmental bill of the legislative session, which adjourned earlier this month, was the “Clean Cars Act,” which requires Maryland to adopt the emissions standards imposed by California rather than those mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The bill also requires a reduction of the average carbon dioxide emissions of cars sold in the state beginning in 2010, which will likely mean that cars sold in the state will get higher gas mileage. Other environmental legislation signed into law today included a bill to allow the state to lease parcels of the Chesapeake Bay floor to oyster restoration projects; a prohibition on the commercial harvest of diamondback terrapins and a limit on recreational harvest to three per person; and a requirement that the state adopt strict new regulations to manage storm water runoff. Among the 178 bills signed into law today, the most closely fought was the “Voting Registration Protection Act,” which allows any convicted felon who has served his or her sentence, including parole and probation, to register to vote. Advocates say the move re-enfranchises as many as 50,000 Marylanders, though its supporters in the General Assembly say they don’t expect it will have a significant impact on the electorate. “It certainly doesn’t meant the floodgates are going to open, but for this underscores the full meaning of citizenship,” said Sen. Gwendolyn Britt, a Prince George’s County Democrat who sponsored the measure. “When you have paid your debt to society … you should be free to register to vote.” Copyright _ 2007, The Baltimore Sun This electronic mail transmission may contain confidential or privileged information. As such, if you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply transmission and delete the message without copying or disclosing it.

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