Balt Sun
Posted: 2008-04-08 18:12:29 [1]

The Maryland General Assembly cruised toward adjournment tonight, approving an expansion of DNA sample collections in Maryland's legal system.

The DNA measure allows the collection of genetic material from people who have been charged with violent crimes and burglary. Current law allows samples to be taken only from convicted felons. The expansion to other subjects will expire after five years.

"The DNA bill was our top public safety priority, and that will, in essence, allow local police officers to be able to solve more violent crimes and get predators off the street -- put them behind bars before they rape or murder other citizens again," O'Malley told reporters.

With most of the heavy lifting behind them, lawmakers were working on some final details in the waning hours.

Lawmakers decided to set up a panel to review capital punishment and whether it should be repealed. The proposal came after it became apparent earlier this year that lawmakers were not going to abolish capital punishment.

Legislation must receive final approval from both chambers by midnight, or it dies for the year. Many bills needed fine-tuning to eliminate differences between the House and Senate versions.

For example, there are differences between the two chambers on legislation supported by the governor to allow speed-monitoring cameras in highway work zones and in local jurisdictions. It's up in the air where the proceeds from the $40 fines will go.

Lawmakers also still have to decide what to do about a bill to crack down on illegal gambling machines, which have been cropping up, particularly in southern Maryland. Many supporters of the bill see them as a threat to the state's lottery and the legitimate slot machines they hope voters will approve in a November referendum.

Another bill that has been getting attention in recent days is a proposal to change state law to fill the seat of departing Rep. Albert Wynn.

Wynn lost February's Democratic primary to activist and lawyer Donna Edwards. He plans to resign in June. That means O'Malley can either leave the seat vacant for the rest of Wynn's term, which runs through January 2009, or hold a special primary followed by a special general election.

An emergency bill would allow O'Malley to order just a special general election, saving the state the cost of a special primary. The bill, which has received preliminary approval in the Senate, would expire after a year.

The General Assembly approved the state's $31.2 billion operating budget on Saturday. While lawmakers ended up cutting more than $400 million and had to slim down some high-profile budget items, O'Malley said he was mostly happy with the way things went.

"This has been a session of very real and steady progress for the people of Maryland even in these tough and difficult times," O'Malley said.

House Speaker Michael Busch said the session, when considered along with actions taken during November's three-week special session, maintained education, environmental and health initiatives during rocky fiscal times.

"I think at the end of the day, if you took the special session and the session all in one 90-day to 120-day experience, I think under the circumstances that we entered -- the current national economic conditions -- that the citizens of Maryland can be very happy."

The General Assembly also approved the state's $1.5 billion capital budget, which includes $333 million for school construction, about a third of the budget for state buildings.