Field Notes By Delegate Mike McDermott

 

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Michael A. McDermott

 

Week 9 March 3-7, 2014

 

Monday Evening Session:

Bills on First Reader

Tuesday Morning Session:

Bills on First Reader

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #15

HB 240
Third Reading Passed (80-56)

HB 740
Third Reading Passed (95-41)

 

Special Order Calendar HB 401 Third Reading Passed (131-6)

HB-240 is a bill which will place mandates on local government as it relates to recycling numbers when it comes to waste disposal. This centralized approach is going to cost Marylanders when county governments will have to change policies to meet set goals by the state. Interestingly enough, it was also highly opposed by many environmental groups who objected to some of the burning standards attached to the bill. While most republicans voted no, we were also joined by several democrats. Sadly, the bill was not defeated.

HB-740 involves another infusion of state money into cyber security efforts to encourage more of these companies to come to Maryland. This is truly crony capitalism in that it favors and promotes one type of business over every other business in the state. In fact, this is one sector of our economy that is growing and thriving on its own and does not need additional incentives. The vote was along party lines with the republicans voting against this type of favoritism.

Tuesday Afternoon Judiciary Committee Hearings:

There were 30 bills addressing various firearm regulations. They were set up in 9 groupings: Crimes-4 bills; Handgun Permits-7 bills; Assault Weapons and Detachable Magazines-4 bills; Purchase of Firearms-4 bills; Handgun Qualifications Licenses-2bills; Handgun Safety Measures-2 bills; Disqualifiers for Ownership/Possession-2 bills; Bow Hunting-2 bills; Miscellaneous-3 bills.

HB 36     Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Handgun Permit - Applicant Qualifications  HB 42     Del Cardin     Public Safety - Firearms - Application Approval Before Sale, Rental, or Transfer  HB 60     Del Smigiel    Repeal of the Firearm Safety Act of 2013 (Jointly assigned to JUD and HGO)  HB 62     Del Smigiel  Rgltd Frarms-Lic Issued by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia - Reciprocity  HB 90     Del Simmons    Regulated Firearms - Disqualifying Crime -Domestically Related Crime  HB 94     Del Arora     Crim Law - Prohib on Manufacture of Detachable Magazine or Firearm Receiver - 3-D Printing  HB 115    Del Conaway    Task Force to Study Firearms and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Devices  HB 122    Del K. Kelly   Public Safety - Assault Weapons and Detachable Magazines - Possession or Transport by Nonresident  HB 215    Del Cluster    Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Renewal Period for Retired Law Enforcement Officer  HB 262    Del Beitzel,   Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for  et al          Protection  HB 286    Del Valentino Criminal Law - Use of Handgun in Crime of Violence Smith, et al   or Felony - Statute of Limitations  HB 521    Del Haddaway      Firearms - Handgun Permit Requirements - Handgun Riccio         Qualification License Holders  HB 623    Del Simmons   Public Safety - Crim Justice Information System - Integration With Md Automated Firearms System  HB 659    Del Szeliga    Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Transport Through State  HB 712    Del Smigiel    Crimes - Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime - Diminution Credits and Sentencing  HB 713    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Handgun Safety Devices - External Safety Locks  HB 715    Del Smigiel       Public Safety - Handgun Identification Requirements - Repeal  HB 716    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Handgun Qualification License - Qualified Handgun Instructors and Permit Holders  HB 717    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Firearms Safety Training - Demonstration Component  HB 719    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Firearms - Probation Before Judgment  HB 720    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Training Requirement  HB 800    Del K. Kelly, Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Training  et al          Requirement for Renewal Applications  HB 818    Del Smigiel    Regulated Firearms - Lic'd Dealer or Secon Seller - Natl Instant Crim Bkgd (NICS) Check  HB 919    Del K. Kelly   Public Safety - Transport of Weapons on School Property - Retired Law Enforcement Officer  HB 934    Del Smigiel    Firearms - Application for Prchs and Reqd Registr- Use of Term "Voluntary" Registrant Prohibited  HB 995    Del Dwyer      Firearms Freedom Act  HB 997    Del Beitzel    Criminal Law - Competition Shooting and Match Shooting - Firearms Exemption  HB 1005   Del Bromwell   Firearms - Handgun Permit Requirements - Retired Military  HB 1199   Del Clippinger Possession of Loaded Handgun or Regulated Firearm - Enhanced Penalties  HB 1356   Del Glass      Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for Protection

The hearings began at 1pm and continued until 11:30pm. There are clearly some issues that need to be addressed in Maryland which some of the bills spoke to today. The first is the issue of Maryland becoming a “shall issue” state when it comes to Conceal Carry laws. The “good and substantial” reason applied by the Superintendent of the State Police severely limits the issuance of any permits. It has left many to consider going to an “Open Carry” with their rifles and shotguns (which has been verified as legal by Attorney General Gansler). Many expressed their frustration with the state and their thoughts of moving to Open Carry if the state does not allow for greater permitting of residents.

 

There were a couple of bills designed to strengthen punishment on offenders who utilize a firearm in the commission of their crimes. We also listened to bills that would eliminate “good time” styled credits for prisoners who are serving a sentence involving a gun crime.

 

We also heard about several bills to modify last year’s SB-281 regarding training requirements and other needed modifications. It is apparent that the State Police have adapted some of the components of the bill in a way that was never intended by the General Assembly. Some of these include clear amendment changes that I offered in committee and on the floor in shaping this bill. The current training requirements are a good example and some of these bills sought to move the state back to the original intent expressed last year.HB-623 bears watching this year. The bill would require the MSP to link their gun database with the Criminal Justice Information System database. Due to some of the changes in law over the years, it is estimated that upwards of over 100,000 gun owners in Maryland may unknowingly be disqualified from possessing certain firearms. The bill calls for an expansion of the MSP to provide personnel for the purposes of tracking down these owners and seizing their firearms. The bill remains in committee at this time.

Wednesday Morning Session:

First Reading of Senate Bills Introduced

Bills on Second Reader

 

 

HB 295 Floor Committee Amendment { 123291/1 Adopted Floor Committee Amendment {703028/1 Adopted Floor Amendment (Delegate Davis) {403525/1 Adopted Floor Amendment (Delegate Bromwell) {583927/1 Rejected (45-87) Floor Amendment (Delegate George) {223625/1 Rejected (43-91) Floor Amendment (Delegate McDermott) {423829/4 Rejected (47-89) Floor Amendment (Delegate Fisher) {763626/1 Rejected (45-88) Floor Amendment (Delegate Boteler) {603523/1 Rejected (46-88) Floor Amendment (Delegate Krebs) {343720/1 Rejected (47-83) Floor Amendment (Delegate McDonough) {583621/1 Rejected (42-90) Floor Amendment (Delegate McDonough) {183927/1 Rejected (45-83) Floor Amendment (Delegate Bates) {363222/1 Rejected (46-89) Floor Amendment (Delegate Parrott) {703723/1 Rejected (43-87) Floor Amendment (Delegate Hogan) {773521/1 Rejected (44-84) Floor Amendment (Delegate Mizeur) {343920/1 Rejected (8-124) Floor Amendment (Delegate Ready) {433426/1 Rejected (43-89) Floor Amendment (Delegate McMillan) {463721/1 Rejected Second Reading Passed with Amendments This is the Minimum Wage Bill.(Press Release) It will raise the wage to $10.10 over the next two years and is one of the signature bills for the O’Malley administration this year.    Today, there were a series of amendments offered on the bill. They all attempted to address the concerns of businesses across the state. It became clear that the Six Flags Theme Park in Prince Georges County was exempted from this bill and for the same reasons (seasonal employment), I sought to exempt similar workers in Ocean City. There was a strong debate on the issue and the exchange is a great example of how the sausage is made in the Maryland General Assembly. Here is a link for you to listen. Ultimately, my amendment was defeated, as was the case with all of the floor amendments offered. The bill now goes onto Third Reader on Friday morning.

Wednesday Afternoon Judiciary Hearings:

HB-635 would allow a health care provider to offer an apology to a patient or grieving family member and not withhold these types of statements for fear of being sued and held liable for inferred guilt due to an offered apology. Sadly, this is a needed bill.

HB-809 would remove protections from liability for local government in cases where an injury and claim arise out of the use of an artificial turf field which is owned and maintained by a government entity.

HB-930would alter the amount of damages that could be sought for non-economic damages in civil cases. The new limit would be $500,000. We heard from some folks who were severely injured and the current limits did not cover their needs.

HB-996 would make certain written records of health care officials accessible and usable for civil suit purposes. Currently, some of these types of records are shielded.

HB-1009 this is similar to HB-930 relating to catastrophic injuries.

HB-1221 provides for the methods for acquiring information from internet source providers when a tortuous complaint is being alleged from an anonymous source.

HB-1271 would address notifications on lead paint.

HB-1302 would void and eliminate certain requirements for civil claims contained within certain contracts. In particular it would eliminate the requirement for a party to pay for attorney fees associated under certain actions.

HB-1344 would establish a task force to study the prevention of sexual child abuse. I don’t think we need to fund a study, but we could use more money for law enforcement and victim services.

 

Thursday Afternoon Judiciary Hearings:

HB 29      Del Gutierrez Maryland Law Enforcement Trust Act  HB 539    Del Rosenberg Task Force to Study the Implementation and Use of                  Body Cameras by Law Enforcement Officers  HB 633    Del Conaway    Baltimore City - Law Enforcement Officers - Video Cameras  HB 785    Del George     Drones - Unauthorized Surveillance  HB 847    Del Rosenberg, Criminal Procedure - Government Drone Use - et al  Limitations  HB 912    Del Smigiel,   Courts - Electronic Communications - Privacy et al  HB 1003  Del McDonough Crim Procedure - Individual With Immigration                  Detainer (Md Law Enforc and Public Saf Trust Act)  HB 1074  Del Smigiel    Fourth Amendment Protection Act  HB 1126  Del Haddaway   Criminal Law - Synthetic Marijuana - Prohibition Riccio  HB 1161  Del Waldstreicher, et al        Criminal Procedure - Electronic DeviceLocation                                      Information - Warrant              HB 1188   Del Carter     Law Enforcement Officers - Alcohol and Drug Testing - Required  HB 1200   Del  Pena-Melnyk,           Public Safety - Eyewitness Identification - Procedures              HB 1202   Del Riccio   Crim Law - Distrib of Faked Controlled Dangerous Substance -                 Substantially Similar Chemical Struc  HB 1234   Del Swain      Criminal Law - Drug Paraphernalia - Penalties  HB 1316   Del Swain      Crms - Sale of Drg Paraphernalia to a Mnr - L  Law Authorzng                              Bsns Lic Revoc for Subq Violation

There was much discussion and debate on the issues pertaining to electronic surveillance as they relate to the protections under the 4th Amendment which were the subject of several bills today. One in particular seeks to address the use of drones by the government.  Many of the bills sought to provide guidance for emerging technology being utilized by the government. I do not believe we will see any of these bills come out this year unless it is in the form of an issue study.

We also has a couple of immigration bills that address any contact that law enforcement has with illegal aliens. HB-29 would make significant changes to the manner and dealings that law enforcement has with illegal aliens they encounter.  In fact, it would make the entire state of Maryland a sanctuary state for illegal aliens. I would prefer to see these issues addressed locally based upon area needs and community desires. The idea of not allowing local law enforcement to not communicate with Immigration authorities is absurd. The bill has a lot of amendments and appears on a fast track for passage so it is one to be watched.

 

Delegate Pat McDonough offered an alternative bill to HB-29 which is HB-1003. This bill seeks to further enhance law enforcement efforts ongoing in Maryland as the public safety sector seeks to deal with illegal aliens.

 

There were a couple of bills that would require law enforcement officers to wear body cameras while on duty. If a local department wants to fund this and implement it as policy, by all means do it-but to mandate the entire state to do so is over the top.

 

There were also a couple of CDS bills to address synthetic marijuana and paraphernalia items. I do not sense that any of these bills will move in the committee.

CONTINUE READING....

Human Body Remains Identified

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland has identified the human remains that were discovered on Sunday March 9th2014 in South Point as Mrs. Helen David. Mrs. David had gone missing from her Carefree lane home in South Point on Memorial Day weekend 2013. Several extensive searches were conducted for her throughout the past year.

Mrs. David suffered from a form of dementia and had been known to wander off from time to time.

The investigation into the cause and manner of her death is still continuing.

We would like to acknowledge and thank all of the allied agencies that assisted in the search and investigation of Mrs. David’s disappearance. We would also like to thank the community and the media for their support in attempting to locate Mrs. David.

Delegate McDermott Questions Smart Meter Program Implementation‏

Press Release
March 11, 2014

 

Delegate McDermott Questions Public Service Commission and Delmarva Power on Smart Meter Installation

 

(ANNAPOLIS) As power companies across the nation are implementing “smart” meter systems in an attempt to better manage their customers’ energy usage, Maryland power customers are raising concerns about the safety of these new meters.  According to Delegate Michael McDermott (R - Worcester & Wicomico), power companies are installing the meters without sufficiently notifying their customers of program “opt out” options.

 

“I understand that the Public Service Commission posted a notice on their website informing customers of the opt out option, but that action really is insufficient. I have been receiving calls from constituents who do not want these smart meters and were never aware of the option to opt out or found out when it was too late. Expecting people to be suitably notified while browsing the Commission’s website is unrealistic - there needed to be further notice,” Delegate McDermott stated.

 

Additionally, Delegate McDermott expressed concern over Delmarva Power’s handling of the issue. While Delmarva Power has stated that they have given their customers notice, Delegate McDermott believes that the power company did not do its due diligence when notifying their customers of their ability to opt out of the smart meters.

 

“It is my understanding that the company posted a note on their website giving the customer’s notice to opt out, while the notices sent to their customers merely talked about the pending installation of the smart meters,” Delegate McDermott said. “While that measure may seem adequate to their company, sufficient notice was not personally given to Delmarva Power customers.”

 

“The notification process has been wholly inadequate and further action needs to be taken by both the Public Service Commission and Delmarva Power,” Delegate McDermott added. “The fact that customers have to pay $75 to opt out of something they were given insufficient notice about is completely absurd. While I do not approve of the opt out fee, if the commission is going to charge it, they have to make it their duty to adequately inform Maryland customers of all available options.”

 

“At the end of the day, I do not agree with how the customers were notified of their ability to opt out of smart meters. More importantly, I do not agree with customers being charged to reject something that they do not want,” Delegate McDermott concluded.

Delegate Glen Glass (R - Harford & Cecil) has sponsored HB-332 which would eliminate opt out fees. The bill is awaiting a vote in the House of Delegates.

 

Delegate McDermott is awaiting a response from both the Public Service Commission and Delmarva Power. A website (marylandsmartmeterawareness.org) has been established to provide assistance to those wishing to opt out of smart meter installation. Forms and addresses are available on the site.

Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Child Pornography Arrest

Members of the Maryland State Police, Computer Crimes Section, Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) conducted an online investigation into individuals distributing child pornography.

On March 11, 2014, Alex R. Tringali, 24 of the 300 block Nectar Court, Westminster, Maryland was arrested and charged with four counts of distribution of child pornography and ten counts possession of child pornography. Tringali is currently being held on $55,000 bond at the Carroll County Detention Center.

A trooper assigned to the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began the investigation several months ago after locating a computer sharing what was believed to be child pornography on a file-sharing network. The investigator was able to trace the computer activity back to Tringali’s Westminster residence.

During the investigation, the suspect was identified as Alex R. Tringali. The investigation led to the search of Tringali’s residence. During the search, investigators located digital evidence confirming he was in possession of child pornography and had been distributing it over the internet. In addition, numerous items of digital media to include computers, cameras, CD/DVD’s were seized and turned over to computer forensic examiners for further analysis.

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.

Maryland State Police

Pocomoke City Police Respond To Walmart For Shoplifter

Pocomoke City Police Department
On March 10, 2014 Pocomoke City Police responded to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter in custody.

 Upon arrival Police learned the suspect had concealed several items and attempted to leave the store passing all points of sale without paying for the merchandise.

Arrested was Renee Knox, age 54 of New Church Virginia, she was charged with Theft less than $100.

Frank Voss Memorial Spaghetti Dinner

FBI - Stopping a Dangerous Insider Threat

Dead drop site used by Robert Hoffman;
 the black bag containing the
encrypted thumb drive can be seen
in the hollow of the tree.
FBI Photo

Naval Espionage
Stopping a Dangerous Insider Threat

As a sailor with a top secret clearance, a sensitive job on a submarine, and 20 years of service in the Navy, Robert Hoffman possessed a tremendous amount of knowledge about the U.S. nuclear fleet and its operations—knowledge he was willing to sell to the Russians.

“It’s almost impossible to say why someone would become a spy,” said Special Agent James Dougherty, who investigated the case from our Norfolk Division, but Hoffman represents a classic example of the insider threat. “When a U.S. citizen with classified information threatens to betray his country,” Dougherty explained, “the resulting damage to national security and loss of American lives can be catastrophic.”

Investigators speculate that Hoffman may have blamed his divorce on the Navy, along with his failure to gain promotion. The FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) became concerned in 2011 when, nearing retirement, Hoffman told friends he was going on a “man-cation” to Belarus to see Russian women he had previously met when he was stationed in Bahrain—even though he knew the women would not be there.

“He had some sort of motivation to travel to Belarus that didn’t seem logical,” said Dougherty. In addition, Hoffman ignored the requirement to alert military security officers that he would be traveling out of the country, and he failed to adhere to other security rules of reporting any suspicious incidents while overseas. However, Hoffman did post items on social media channels saying he met the president of Belarus. “All of that added to our suspicion,” Dougherty noted.

Using court-authorized surveillance, wiretaps, and other investigative tools, FBI and NCIS investigators began monitoring Hoffman’s movements at his home in Virginia Beach following his retirement from the Navy in late 2011. Soon after, our undercover operatives made contact with him to assess his intentions.

Then, in September 2012, a female FBI undercover agent posing as a Russian operative knocked on Hoffman’s door and delivered a message ostensibly from Russian intelligence officials.

“He received instructions from the woman, who asked him to respond by e-mail within one week,” Dougherty said. “We didn’t want to pressure him. We wanted him to make a conscious decision, knowing he would be dealing with the Russian intelligence service.”
Hoffman didn’t wait a week—he responded within hours. He agreed to answer a series of questions on an encrypted thumb drive that was to be left in a hollow tree in a park—a hiding place known in the spy world as a dead drop. On the third such drop, Hoffman divulged top secret national defense information.

“American lives could have been lost based on the information he was willing to give up,” Dougherty said. “He had access to things that were highly, highly sensitive.”

In August 2013, a jury in Norfolk found Hoffman guilty of attempted espionage; last month, the 40-year-old was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

“The insider threat is very real,” said Dougherty, explaining that in these types of cases, there are often people who are suspicious of a friend or colleague’s statements or behavior but who don’t act on those suspicions.

“One of the things we teach in insider threat training,” Dougherty said, “is that if you see something, say something. Often, people don’t want to rock the boat,” he added, “but if you see something that doesn’t seem right, it’s your legal obligation to report it. Let the FBI sort it out. That’s what we get paid for.”

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