Not surprisingly, this month saw a lot of people reading gun control bills, daylight savings time bills, as well as our usual collection of other interesting items like the WV teacher pay bill, and bills about redistricting, marijuana (of course), and drones. Without further ado, here’s what we saw trending on BillTrack50 in March 2018:
First, a look at gun control:
This bill will prohibit the sale, transfer, production and importation of:
- Semi-automatic rifles and pistols with a military-style feature that can accept a detachable magazine
- Semi-automatic rifles with a fixed magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds
- Semi-automatic shotguns with a military-style feature
- Any ammunition feeding device that can hold more than 10 rounds
- Any 205 specifically-named and listed firearms
Most notably on the state level is Florida S7026, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which toughens gun control in several ways while also including a provision to allow some teachers to be armed. People affected by the Parkland shooting have had a large role in getting the bill passed. It passed on March 9th. The bill:
- Raises the age to purchase a firearm to 21 from 18
- Requires a three-day waiting period for firearm purchases, with some exceptions
- Bans the sale or possession of bump fire stocks
- Allows law enforcement to ask for an “extreme risk protection order” if there’s evidence the person poses a threat to themselves or others (along with other similar restrictions on people deemed mentally ill)
- Allows some teachers to be armed if both the local school district and local sheriff’s department agree
Illinois passed a bill that would have required anyone who sells, leases or transfers 10 or more firearms a year to be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, a cost that would be limited to $1,000 every five years. Dealers and their employees would have to take training to make sure they know how to properly conduct background checks, store guns, prevent thefts and thwart straw purchases, in which someone buys a gun on behalf of a person who is barred from doing so. Their Governor, Bruce Rauner, vetoed the bill on Tuesday March 13
And the Daylight Savings Bills:
GA HR1466, AL HB502, OK SB1309, FL H1013, KS HB2519, NM SB239
Example language from these bills: “to provide that Alabama would observe Daylight Saving Time year-round upon an act by Congress to amend the existing prohibition in federal law.”
“the residents and businesses of the state of New Mexico have become much more habituated to the eight months of daylight saving time per year than the four months of standard time per year; and … the biannual change of time between mountain standard time and mountain daylight saving time is disruptive to commerce and to the daily schedules of the residents of the state of New Mexico.”
The bill addressing the teacher strike in WV:
WV HB4145 – gives a 5% pay raise to state teachers, school staff and police. The deal is intended to end a teachers’ strike that canceled nine consecutive school days across the state. The strike began February 22 when about 20,000 teachers walked out of schools in what has been a show of the strength of organized labor. the governor and union leaders agreed that teachers and service personnel would receive a 5% pay raise, and the House approved the proposal. Republicans in the Senate passed that bill on a Saturday night but with a 4% raise which the house then rejected. Ultimately they did agree on the 5% raise.
Other notable bills that got a lot of clicks:
MD HB1022 proposes an amendment to the Maryland Constitution, calling for Maryland’s Congressional districts to be drawn so that each district would be “of adjoining territory, be compact in form, and be of substantially equal population,” with due regard given to “natural boundaries and the boundaries of political subdivisions.” If it passes, the proposed amendment will be added to the Maryland ballot in November as a legislative referral referendum item.
GA SB118 – To amend Code Section 33-24-59.10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to 2 coverage for autism, so as to change the age limit for coverage for autism spectrum disorders 3 for an individual covered under a policy or contract; to clarify treatment coverage; to change 4 coverage limit; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other 5 purposes. Accident and sickness contracts, policies, or benefit plans shall provide coverage for 11 autism spectrum disorders for an individual covered under a policy or contract who is six 12 20 years of age or under in accordance with the following.
HI HB251 – The legislature further finds that the costs to enforce criminal marijuana possession statutes are substantial. The legislature further finds that the costs associated with criminal prosecution for possession of marijuana are extremely high in relation to the benefits of prosecuting those offenses. A person who cultivates, possesses, sells, transfers, or uses marijuana in any amount shall not be deemed in violation of this part in any county that has adopted an ordinance and administrative rules pursuant to section
OK SB660 – Any person owning or controlling real estate or other premises who voluntarily damages or destroys a drone located on the real estate or premises or within the airspace of the real estate or premises not otherwise regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration or where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists, shall, together with any successors in interest, if any, not be civilly liable for causing the damage or destruction to the property of such person.
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