Legislature

By DAVE McMILLION Staff Writer, Martinsburg MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Legislation that would crack down on motorists who lead police on chases has stalled in the West Virginia Legislature. Under the proposed bill, a motorist who leads police on a chase that results in the death of another person could be convicted of a felony and face between three to 15 years in prison. But lawmakers said the bill introduced by Del. Larry Faircloth, R-Berkeley, is in trouble. House bill 2221, which has been passed by the House of Delegates, has been taken off the Senate calendar, which means no action can be taken on it, said Sen. Herb Snyder, D-Jefferson.

Legislature passes bills that impact local area Some bills of local interest that passed the Maryland General Assembly this session: UNDERCOVER PURCHASES - Lets Washington County police agencies make secret purchases for undercover investigations. Right now, investigators must seek bids for purchases over $25,000. PRIME OUTLETS - Allows Prime Outlets at Hagerstown to hold the same type of sidewalk exhibitions as Valley Mall. FIREFIGHTER TAX CREDIT - Authorizes the Washington County Commissioners to offer a property tax credit to fire and rescue volunteers.

The West Virginia Legislature moved ahead with its 2004 agenda this week, trying to craft legislation to keep all-terrain vehicle riders from killing themselves, protect the state's water resources and make it easier for insurance companies to do business in the state. The ATV bill is the latest version of one lawmakers have tried to pass for seven years. Despite many setbacks, they keep trying because the state has the nation's highest per-capita ATV crash death rate, with 75 dying since 2000.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia Legislature is winding to a close today with several major bills still pending. Lawmakers, who will end the 60-day session at midnight, are still considering bills dealing with video poker machines, video lottery machines and taxes. Lawmakers had said at the beginning of the session that they expected a bill to be introduced that would legalize cash payouts from video poker machines in private clubs. The machines are allowed as entertainment but cash payouts are illegal.

As the West Virginia Legislature gears up for its 2004 session, Charleston has seen a mixture of the silly and the serious. Some lawmakers are making a real effort to grapple with important issues, while others seem content to make fools of themselves. In the foolishness category, there's the continuing debate over a bill to mandate some safety in operation of all-terrain vehicles. Lawmakers know they have to do something, since ATV crashes have killed 75 citizens of the state in the past three years.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Who should be allowed to vote on zoning for Berkeley and Jefferson counties? It's a contentious issue that continues to receive spirited debate. A new bill has been drafted in the state Legislature to allow residents in a county to vote on proposed land-use regulations, and again the measure is coming under attack from the Jefferson County Commission. Jefferson County is in the process of drafting new land-use regulations, and the proposals have been criticized by some as being complicated and contradictory.

ANNAPOLIS - As Maryland lawmakers still working for legislation raced the clock Monday night in anticipation of the General Assembly's midnight adjournment, Washington County legislators found themselves in an unusual position. Every county issue had been resolved. "It's nice to have the county bills through and not have to worry about what's going to happen to them at the last minute," said Del. Robert A. McKee, R-Washington. In years past, legislators had to deal with various county issues - from a hotel tax increase to the redevelopment of Fort Ritchie - on the last night of the 90-day session.

ANNAPOLIS - The House of Delegates Thursday approved the creation of the South Mountain Battlefield, amid lingering questions about how it will be funded. State lawmakers are pondering using hotel-motel taxes from Frederick and Washington counties to develop the battlefield as a tourist destination. The legislation that was sent to the Senate Thursday would allow the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to charge an entrance fee to cover an estimated $500,000 in annual operating costs.

He will run the consulting business out of his former delegate office on Pershing Street in Cumberland. Ethics laws bar him from lobbying for one year. Taylor's life also will change in more mundane ways. No longer will he have a Maryland State Police trooper to protect him and chauffeur him across the state. "I've gotta get used to driving again," he says. Taylor is not giving up public service. He says he will chair the Western Maryland Economic Development Task Force and the Governor's Flood Mitigation Task Force.

Dozens of new lawmakers took their places in the Maryland General Assembly Wednesday, a day of ceremony and tradition before the legislature settles down for three months of pressing business. This year, legislators must figure out how to close a budget gap estimated at $1.6 billion. But, on opening day of the General Assembly's 428th session, talk of the deficit was put on hold as legislators soaked in the moment. Members of the Washington County delegation had family with them to share the experience.