American Legion National Legistlative Priorities
Select the picture below to go to the Legistlative Action Center
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Dear Legion Family Members and Friends,The American Legion was the first veterans service organization to call for major changes at the top of the Department of Veterans Affairs to resolve a tragic problem that appears to be costing lives all across the land. I did not take lightly the decision to call for the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki - whose proud military career I deeply respect - and his undersecretaries for health and benefits. When I made that call, I looked across the National Executive Committee room in Indianapolis and saw hundreds of American Legion Family members and staff. I realized the many tens of thousands of veterans each of them represents. The time had come for action.I am not surprised about the extraordinary response we have received from the media, Capitol Hill and the White House about the issue at hand . The American Legion has the nation’s ear because it is the nation’s largest veterans service organization. In order to maintain that strength, and increase it as millions of new veterans come home from war looking for help, we need to grow even stronger. Please ask an eligible veteran to join us today as we work toward meaningful changes at VA.
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No veteran should tolerate a disingenuous VA. As whistleblowers step forward and more facilities are accused of cooking the books while veterans die waiting for appointments, our voice must be heard, loud, clear and in great number. It is up to us to stimulate the changes necessary to restore veteran trust in the VA health-care system.
When errors and lapses are discovered at VA, they must be addressed immediately, and those responsible must be held accountable. This week, the House is expected to vote on the VA Management Accountability Act of 2014 (H.R. 4031), which is supported by The American Legion. (There is also a Senate version, S. 2013.)
Please send your elected members of Congress an email encouraging support of the VA Management Accountability Act of 2014. Visit our Legislative Action Center to learn more about it and other pending bills of importance to the Legion.
I also encourage you to sign up to receive email action alerts that let you know when your support is needed on various issues. Sign up here.
As recent weeks have shown, The American Legion is needed now as much as ever. Help us remain strong by recruiting a new member today. Contact your congressional representatives and offer your voice of support for the VA Management Accountability Act. Help your fellow veterans. That’s what we do.
Thank you,
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| For God and Country, | 
| Dan Dellinger
National Commander |
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(CBO) recently proposed that COLA increases be linked to the C-CPI as a means of saving more than $200 billion federal dollars over the next 10 years in reduced benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
If the chained-Consumer Price Index (C-CPI) is adopted as the federal measure for the cost-of-living allowance (COLA), Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., predicted the outcome would be "an absolute disaster." The incoming chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee voiced his views on the issue Dec. 19, during a press conference in Washington.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently proposed that COLA increases be linked to the C-CPI as a means of saving more than $200 billion federal dollars over the next 10 years in reduced benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Social Security Administration. The American Legion opposes the plan as a "misguided public policy" that "would have significant deleterious effects on the benefits of millions of veterans ...."
According to a press release from Sanders’ office, the CBO proposal would cut VA disability benefits for a 30-year-old veteran by more than $13,000 a year by age 45, $1,800 a year by age 55, and $2,260 a year by age 65. Senior citizens who retire by age 65 would see their Social Security benefits reduced by about $650 a year by the time they reach 75, and more than $1,000 a year when they turn 85.
"I challenge anyone who supports a chained-CPI to go to Walter Reed (National Military Medical Center)," Sanders said. "Visit with the men and women who have lost their legs, lost their arms, lost their eyesight as a result of their service in Afghanistan or Iraq. We made a promise to these veterans. Cutting their COLA’s would be reneging on those promises, and we cannot let that happen."
Dean Stoline, deputy legislative director of The American Legion, also spoke at the press conference. He warned that CBO’s plan would have a far greater effect on the economic security of many veterans and their families "because the VA programs for service-connected disability compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and VA pensions also use the same COLA percentage adjustment as Social Security."
Stoline said that if the C-CPI proposal is enacted by law, it "will result in lower lifetime earned benefits for millions of veterans. For example, today, more than 3.2 million veterans receive VA disability compensation benefits and over 310,000 veterans receive VA pension benefits."
American Legion National Commander James E. Koutz sent a letter to leaders in the House of Representatives on Dec. 14, reminding them that the current COLA formula "already understates the true cost-of-living increases faced by seniors and people with disabilities .... Adopting the chained-CPI would make their situations much worse over time."
For those who characterize the C-CPI plan as a "minor tweak," Sanders said it is "a significant benefit cut that will make it harder for permanently disabled veterans and the elderly to feed their families, heat their homes, pay for their prescription drugs and make ends meet. This misguided proposal must be vigorously opposed."
Read more about the press conference on Senator Sanders website.
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Maryland Veterans Legistlation
American Legion Priorities are highlighted.
Total Number of Bills: 71
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Bills that have moved to the opposite Chamber
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Bill #
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Status as of
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HB 51
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March 16, 2012: Bill is in the Senate- First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Beer, Wine and Liquor Licenses - Clubs
House: Economic Matters Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs
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HB 217
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February 29, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Council for the Procurement of Health, Educational, and Social Services
House: Health and Government Operations Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs
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HB 252
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March 19, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings
Task Force on Military Service Members, Veterans, and the Courts
House: Judiciary Senate: Judicial Proceedings
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HB 358
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March 9, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings
Drivers' Licenses and Identification Cards - Notation of Veteran Status
House: Environmental Matters Senate: Judicial Proceedings
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HB 404
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Status as of March 21, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Higher Education - Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program - Eligibility
House: Ways and Means Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs (Hearing: March 27, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 889
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March 21, 2012 Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission - Human Resources PG/MC 103-12
House: Environmental Matters Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs (Hearing: March 28, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 10
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February 27, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Slot Machines for Nonprofit Organizations on the Eastern Shore - Uses of Proceeds
Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means
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SB 11
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March 1, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
State Lottery - Licenses - Veterans' Organizations
Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means
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SB 18
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March 16, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary
Task Force on Military Service Members, Veterans, and the Courts
Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Judiciary (Hearing: March 28, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 19
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March 22, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Sales and Use Tax - Exemption - Veterans' Organizations
Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means (Hearing: March 27, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 33
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February 7, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Economic Matters
Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Beer, Wine and Liquor Licenses - Clubs
Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Economic Matters
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SB 144
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March 6, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Economic Matters
Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation - Occupational and Professional Licensing - Licensees on Military Deployment
Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Economic Matters (Hearing: March 28, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 149
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March 14, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Health and Government Operations
State Government - Maryland Veterans Commission - Membership
Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Health and Government Operations (Hearing: March 29, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 276
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March 19, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Environmental Matters
Drivers' Licenses and Identification Cards - Notation of Veteran Status
Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Environmental Matters (Hearing: March 27, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 292
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February 27, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Education - Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship - Extension
Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Ways and Means
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SB 315
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March 14, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Health and Government Operations
Council for the Procurement of Health, Educational, and Social Services
Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Health and Government Operations (Hearing: March 28, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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Bills that have not yet moved to
the opposite Chamber
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Bill # |
Status as of |
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HB 19 |
March 19, 2012: Bill is in the House - Third Reading Passed
State Retirement and Pension System - Military Service Credit - Reservists
House: Appropriations
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HB 132 |
January 30, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Environmental Matters
State Highway Administration - Roundabouts - Displaying Flag of the United States
House: Environmental Matters (Heard: February 14, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 133 |
February 16, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Carroll County - Gaming
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 151 |
February 16, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Frederick County - Slot Machines for Nonprofit Organizations
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 178 |
January 25, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Appropriations
Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2010 - St. Mary's County - United States Colored Troops Memorial Monument
House: Appropriations (Heard: February 7, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 260 |
February 16, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
State Lottery Agency - Veterans Lottery - Established
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 315 |
February 8, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Income Tax - Military Retirement Income
House: Ways and Means (Heard: February 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 319 |
February 8, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Sales and Use Tax - Exemption - Veterans' Organizations
House: Ways and Means (Heard: February 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 325 |
February 16, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Slot Machines for Nonprofit Organizations on the Eastern Shore - Uses of Proceeds
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 330
Cross w/
SB11 |
February 16, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
State Lottery - Licenses - Veterans' Organizations
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 416 |
February 16, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Allegany and Garrett Counties - Slot Machines for Nonprofit Organizations
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 519 |
February 22, 2012: Bill is in the House - Re-assigned Appropriations
Public Institutions of Higher Education - Tuition Rates - Veterans
House: Appropriations (Heard: March 6, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 532 |
February 8, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Income Tax Exemption - Military Health Care Pensions - Health Care Workforce Shortage
House: Ways and Means (Heard: February 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 548 |
February 8, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Military Compensation Outside the United States
House: Ways and Means (Heard: February 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 663 |
February 29, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Appropriations
Creation of a State Debt - Prince George's County - Glenarden Veterans Memorial
House: Appropriations (Heard: March 10, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 749 |
February 29, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Appropriations
Creation of a State Debt - Washington County - Antietam Chapter #312 Korean War Veterans Monument
House: Appropriations (Heard: March 10, 2012, 12:00 p.m)
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HB 816 |
February 27, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
State Lottery - Licenses - Prince George's County Veterans' Organizations PG 306-12
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 16, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 869 |
February 15, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Economic Matters
Maryland Workforce and Career Pathways Act of 2012
House: Economic Matters (Heard: March 7, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 1125 |
February 16, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Howard County - Casino Events - Authorized Ho. Co. 6-12
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 1135 |
February 10, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary
Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Qualifications
House: Judiciary (Heard: February 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 1221 |
February 22, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading Appropriations
Graduate Level Education - Exemption from Paying Nonresident Tuition - Members of the United States Armed Forces
House: Appropriations
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HB 1348 |
HB 1328 February 29, 2012: Bill is in the House - Re-referred Appropriations
State Government - Independent Audits of Units - Requirement
House: Appropriations (Heard: March 15, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
March 2, 2012: Bill is in the House - Re-referred Ways and Means
Slot Machines - Ownership and Operation by War Veterans' Organizations - Allocation of Proceeds
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 20, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 1366 |
March 6, 2012: Bill is in the House - Re-referred Ways and Means
Baltimore County - Slot Machines - Ownership and Operation by Eligible War Veterans' Organizations
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 20, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 1398 |
March 6, 2012: Bill is in the House - Re-referred Ways and Means
Harford County - Slot Machines - Ownership and Operation by Eligible War Veterans' Organizations
House: Ways and Means (Heard: March 20, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 1402 |
March 12, 2012: Bill is in the House - Re-referred Judiciary
Child Support - Contempt Orders - Veterans and Service Members
House: Judiciary (Heard: March 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HB 1435 |
March 14, 2012: Bill is in the House - Re-referred Health and Government Operations
Maryland Veterans Commission - Membership - Revision
House: Health and Government Operations (Heard: March 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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HJ 12 |
March 7, 2012: Bill is in the House - First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations
Abridgement of Federal and State Constitutional Protections in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act
House: House Rules and Executive Nominations (Heard: March 12, 2012, 2:30 p.m.)
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SB 28 |
January 18, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Income Tax - Military Retirement Income
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: February 1, 2012, 3:00 p.m.)
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SB 31 |
January 25, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Gaming - Slot Machines - Ownership and Operation by Eligible Nonprofit Organizations
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: February 8, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 55 |
February 29, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Creation of a State Debt - Prince George's County - Glenarden Veterans Memorial
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: March 10, 2012, 3:00 p.m.)
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SB 319 |
January 31, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Frederick County - Slot Machines for Nonprofit Organizations
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: February 8, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 444 |
February 21, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Optional Retirement Program - State Employees and Teachers - Participation
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: February 24, 2012, 8:30 a.m.)
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SB 466 |
March 7, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Allegany and Garrett Counties - Slot Machines for Nonprofit Organizations
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:30 p.m.)
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SB 661 |
February 8, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Carroll County - Gaming
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: March 14, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 808 |
February 27, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Graduate Level Education - Exemption from Paying Nonresident Tuition - Members of the United States Armed Forces
Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs
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SB 887 |
February 15, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
State Lottery Agency - Veterans Lottery - Established
Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs (Heard: March 8, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 965 |
March 7, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Budget and Taxation
Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2010 - Prince George's County - Forestville Military Academy Track
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: March 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 978 |
February 29, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Finance
Maryland Workforce and Career Pathways Act of 2012
Senate: Finance (Heard: March 22, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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SB 980 |
March 6, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Budget and Taxation
Creation of a State Debt - Washington County - Antietam Chapter #312 Korean War Veterans Monument
Senate: Budget and Taxation (Heard: March 10, 2012, 2:00 p.m.)
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SB 1028 |
March 7, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Finance
Labor and Employment - Leave - Deployment of Family Members in the Armed Forces
Senate: Finance (Heard: March 22, 2012, 1:00 p.m.)
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Bills that were Withdrawn or Voted Unfavorable
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Bill # |
Status as of |
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HB 30 |
Status as of February 27, 2012: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Environmental Matters
Motor Vehicle Administration - Selective Service Registration - Driver's License, Moped Operator's Permit, and Identification Card Applicants
House: Environmental Matters
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HB 297 |
Status as of March 21, 2012: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Environmental Matters
Motor Vehicle Registration Fees - Exemptions - Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.
House: Environmental Matters
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HB 413 |
Status as of March 6, 2012: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Health and Government Operations
Public Officials - Chauffeured Transportation Services
House: Health and Government Operations
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HB 541 |
Status as of March 14, 2012: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Environmental Matters
Vehicle Laws - Special Registration Plate - United States Armed Forces
House: Environmental Matters
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HB 756 |
Status as of March 12, 2012: Bill is in the House - Withdrawn Appropriations
Public Institutions of Higher Education - Tuition Rates - Veterans
House: Appropriations
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HB 1151 |
Status as of March 6, 2012: Bill is in the House - Withdrawn Health and Government Operations
Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Waiver for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - Military Families
House: Health and Government Operations
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HB 1409 |
Status as of March 21, 2012: Bill is in the House - Withdrawn Environmental Matters
Motor Vehicles - Registration Plates - "Home of Our National Anthem"
House: Environmental Matters
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SB 50 |
Status as of March 12, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Judicial Proceedings
Motor Vehicle Administration - Selective Service Registration - Driver's License, Moped Operator's Permit, and Identification Card Applicants
Senate: Judicial Proceedings
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SB 61 |
Status as of January 26, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Counties - Temporary Kennel License
Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs
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SB 382 |
Status as of March 19, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Judicial Proceedings
State Highway Administration - Roundabouts - Displaying Flag of the United States
Senate: Judicial Proceedings
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SB 896 |
Status as of March 23, 2012: Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Budget and Taxation
Baltimore City - Gaming - Electronic Bingo
Senate: Budget and Taxation
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