Understanding Legislative Language Gisele Ferretto MSWLCSWC Branches of Government THOMAS MIKE MILLER JR President of Senate MICHAEL BUSCH Speaker of House Who Governor departmental bills proposes state budget veto COMAR ID: 773179
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Understanding Legislative Language Gisele Ferretto, MSW,LCSW-C
Branches of Government THOMAS MIKE MILLER, JR., President of Senate MICHAEL BUSCH, Speaker of House
Who Governor: departmental bills, proposes state budget, veto, COMAR Legislature (state or federal)There are 47 State Senators and 141 State DelegatesSpeaker of the House (Mike Busch) & Senate President (Mike Miller) are elected by all legislatorsCommittee chairs are selected by President of the Senate & Speaker of the HousePublic process and role for constituents!Verizon app for your phone with access to legislators' information: Google "Verizon government app md"
WHERE does the bill “start” Best practice Research Public opinionCourt decisionsAdministrators Experiences from the “front lines”Political actionsNews eventsPersonal issue for legislator
Meaning of Words Words that WE can give MEANING TO:LossFamilyHomeless Child Abuse/Neglect Needed servicesMental health Juvenile JusticeWords that WE need to UNDERSTAND in this “land”Unique Language, Unique Culture, Unique GeographyParkingLunchHearing begins @1:00 The Honorable (formality & power)Districts
Why Legislative Advocacy? Policy changes are often necessary to bring about the services that reflect social work values and knowledge (experience & research). At times, policy changes are proposed that would affect those we serve in devastating ways. Social workers take an active roll to shape the legislative agenda by promoting a bill that will benefit those we serve. Advocacy is part of our Code of Ethics.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov
http://mdelect.net/
Where Annapolis state capital 47 DistrictsWe think city/county or zip code THEY think Legislative DISTRICT
http://planning.maryland.gov/redistricting/2010/legiDist.shtml
HOW…the process Legislative session is 90 days starting in January ending in April FORMAL POSITIONS warrant “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”>2300 bills introduced each session
HOW…Standing Committees SENATE Budget and Taxation (B&T),Education, Health and Environmental Affairs (EHE),Finance (FIN), Judicial Proceedings (JPR), Executive and the Rules Committee HOUSE of DELEGATESAppropriations (APP), Economic Matters (ECM), Environmental Matters (ENV), Health & Government Operations (HGO), Judiciary (JUD), Ways and Means (W&M), Rules and Executive Nominations Committee
Bills Introduced by legislator each year /departmental bills Average number of bills introduced each year Introduced each session to amend (+ and -) content of an existing section of law OR create completely new lawOnce bill introduced the statute is vulnerable for ANY change/amendmentBills on the state budget Governor submits budgetLeg can only make cuts
SB 512 ? 1996 Drunk & Drugged Driving Offenses - Fines -Treatment Access 1997 Children in Need of Assistance - Drug-Addicted Babies 1998Public Information Access - Board of Review - Creation 1999Vehicle Laws - Excise Tax - Determination of Fair Market Value and Collection of Tax 2000Procurement - Service Contracts - Standards for Privatization 2001Sales and Use Tax - Exemptions - Motor Oil for Farm Use 2002Creation of a State Debt - Montgomery County - MacDonald Knolls Center 2003Creation of a State Debt - Baltimore City - Waxter Center for Senior Citizens 2004Criminal Law - Sexual Solicitation of a Minor 2005Alcoholic Beverages Licensees - Administrative Proceedings 2006 Property Tax Credits - Commercial Investment and Economic Development 2007Maryland Estate Tax - Exclusion for Qualified Conservation Easements 2008 Real Property - Retaliatory Action by Landlords /Mobile Home Park Owners
Statute /Statutory Law There are different forms of state laws: Criminal Law and Civil Law Annotations (footnotes) Example: definitions of child abuse and neglect are found in: Family Law § 5-701 et seq. Criminal Law § 3-601 et seq.Where to find Maryland statute :www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/mdcode /
Understanding Bills Explore the source/reason for the change What law(s) is the bill changing Outline format is usedDescription of PURPOSE in bill is neutral Meaning of word/term is defined in the bill/statute NOT the dictionary
R eading Bills SHALL or MAYIS or INCLUDES AND or ORCAPITALS INDICATE ADDITIONS[Brackets] indicate deletions Underlining indicates (additions) amendments made to billStrike-outs indicates amendments(deletions) made in bill Italics indicate opposite chamber committee amendments _______________________________________________________________________
Let’s explore a bit Some Bills
What can I DO?! 1. Develop relationship w/ legislators & VOTE 2. Get to know the issues (class work & link with organizations with integrity) 3. Send emails, write letters, telephone calls 4. Provide testimony Participate in a Rally 6. Run for Office
Never Doubt That a Small Group of Committed People Can Change The World. Indeed, It Is The ONLY Thing That Has. Margaret Mead