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I have highlighted some
of the bills that may interest you that I have fought for as State Senator.
The following represent some of the bills where I was
the lead sponsor or co-sponsor.
Click on any of the summary links below for details!
Legislation that Successfully Passed
Partially Successful Legislation
Legislation that Successfully Passed
Lead Sponsor - Bill Passed: Due to high levels of bacteria, several creeks within our community have
been unsuitable to human touch for decades. This legislation increases Maryland s outdated penalties for
dumping raw sewage into our waterways. Current penalties were simply a slap-on-the-wrist as sewage spills
exceeded 300 million gallons this year.
Lead Sponsor - Bill Passed: Unspeakable acts were being committed against dogs. Dogs were taken and used
as Dog Bait in the Dog Fighting world. They would tie the dog's legs and mouth shut, then let a potential dog fighting dog attack
the defenseless bait dog to test the killer instinct of the other dog. It is cruel and inhumane. SB 360 made it illegal and the
associated acts such as selling, transporting or using a facility to allow the dog baiting. There was tremendous community support
for the bill.
Lead Sponsor - Bill Passed - The term property tax is a very sore subject for many, but I successfully introduced
legislation that will help alleviate that burden for many in need. This legislation will help people remain in their homes by
expanding the age eligibility of the property tax deferment program. This legislation enables the County to lower the eligibility age for seniors and thereby reduce their taxes.
Co-Sponsor - Bills Passed: - These bills worked to address the growing problem of rockfish and oyster poaching on the bay.
Recently, we witnessed numerous examples of complete disregard for the bay and it's resources.
First, we heard about the rockfish poachers illegally placing nets in the bay that ensnared over 13 tons of rockfish, resulting in the closure of our recreational sports fishing for a period of time.
In addition, it was reported that oyster poachers were illegally going into our protected oyster sanctuaries at night to dredge up and steal the oysters.
As a state, we are diligently trying to grow the oyster population to provide a natural filter system to combat the pollution in the bay. However, it was very discouraging to see the lack of teeth in our current laws to penalize these thieves appropriately. The offenders barely received a slap on the wrist.
Therefore, we successfully worked on legislation to provide meaningful penalties for those who knowingly performed these egregious poaching activities. The penalties include serious fines and/or possible license suspension or revocation. The legislation also put in a proper administrative hearing mechanism with an appeal process to ensure an appropriate judicial procedure.
Lead Sponsor - Bill Passed: - Also, I was honored to be the lead senator on the
Fallen Soldier Privacy bill that originated when one of my constituents who lost his
son in Iraq shared his deplorable experience with a company profiting from the
unauthorized usage of son s name on their products.
I submitted Senate Bill 3 and by the end of session, I was pleased
that the bill, The Fallen Soldier Privacy Act, unanimously
passed both legislative bodies. This bill will now protect those heroic fallen
soldiers and their families.
As I presented the bill, several other families who lost their loved ones joined in
the effort. A special thanks goes out to them and the tremendous
sacrifice they gave for our country.
One of 3 Lead Sponsors - Bill Passed: - Senators Gladden, Dyson and
I were the lead sponsors on increasing the distance that protestors must stay away
from a funeral, such as, the Westboro Baptist protesters.
Unfortunately, there are some who have no respect for those grieving, especially our
fallen soldiers and want to make a political statement.
Matthew Synder was killed in Iraq in 2006. When his family conducted the funeral
for him in Maryland, the Westboro Baptist representatives picketed with inhumane
signs against their son to show "God's judgement on our nation".
Matthew's father, Al Synder, took them to the Supreme Court. The court sided on
free speech, but said states can put in reasonable restrictions around the funerals.
This legislation proposes changing the 100 foot distance to 500 feet, as 100 feet
is way too close to those grieving for their lost loved ones.
Senator Simonaire and Al Synder are pictured during the 2011 legislative session
in Annapolis.
Lead Sponsor - Bill Passed: - Teachers, parents and the community agree that children should be safe in schools. It is paramount that children have a safe learning environment. This bill was generated from the teachers and students voicing their concerns of under reporting of disciplinary reports and thereby keeping disruptive and potentially dangerous students in the classroom.
This bill would require the School Board to address the lack of accountability with discipline referral reports. We know that hotels, airlines and almost every other system has a tracking number, but our county schools were lacking unique tracking numbers on each report and their representative testified they did not want to change.
Despite the School Board opposing this legislation, the General Assembly in a bipartisan manner saw the pressing need and passed this bill to ensure our schools are safe.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed:- Providing that a person who is defending themselves is not liable for damages for a personal injury or death of an individual who forceably enters another person's dwelling or place of business.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed: - This bill requires grantors, which provide State aid to grantees, to
submit reports to the Department of Budget and Management by September 1st after the close of each
fiscal year in which the grantor provided the aid. The data will be on a searchable website.
Lead Sponsor or Co-Sponsor - Bills Passed:I was able to work across
party lines on several bills that strengthen Maryland's version of Jessica's
Law to punish child sex offenders.
First degree rapist and sex offenders of young
children will now have a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years without parole.
These bills also require a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life for a second degree offense by an individual raping or sexually abusing a child under the age of 14.
Along with other bills this will mean no parole and no good time credits to get out early. These sex pedators need to be behind bars and away from other children.
As a father of seven children, I understand how precious and fragile our children and
grandchildren are in today s society.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed - With the growing number of sex offenders and violent sex predators, this bill creates better supervision of those convicted offenders as they enter back into the general public and into our neighborhoods. Recently there was a brutal murder and rape of young child by a previously convicted sex offender. This law strengthens our laws so an event like that will be less likely to occur.
Lead Sponsor with Senator Kelley - Bill Passed - A local senior in our community authorized a Power of Attorney and was swindled out of all her sizeable amount of money and assets. She ended up broke living in a nursing home without any way to pay for it. This bill will provide for protections at the front end of the process and hopefully drastically minimize situations like this in the future.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed - This bill creates the Silver Alert Community Program that coordinates
with the State Police to disseminate information to assist in locating missing persons who suffer from
impairments, such as, Alzheimer s disease or dementia. The mechanics of this program are similar to the
Amber Alert program for missing children.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed - This bill prohibits a person from using a senior credential or designation
to mislead a person in connection with the offer, sale, or purchase of securities when acting as a
broker-dealer, agent, investment advisor, or investment advisor representative; A person found guilty is
subject to a fine not to exceed $100,000 and up to 5 years in jail.
Lead Sponsor - Bill Passed - The Assistant States Attorney from Anne Arundel County requested I put in legislation that would help deal with drug dealers and domestic violence problems in our county and throughout the state.
I was informed that law enforcement officers were often able to catch drug dealers trespassing on private or posted property, but they had a difficult time actually catching them with possession of the drugs. Additionally, domestic violence victims complained about repeat unsolicited visits by their abusers at their home address.
This bill creates a three tiered penalty system for trespassing violations, such that, the penalties are increased for repeat offenses if they occurred within a two year period.
I think abusing anyone is a tragic situation. I serve on the Governor's Family Violence Counsel and I believe this is will be an important piece of legislation to reduce domestic violence in our county.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed - This bill allows law enforcement to crack down on the growing gang violence in our state. It provides better tools for identifying, convicting and sentencing gang members. Many of our communities are feeling the destructive influence of gang activity. This is a positive advancement of Maryland law to reduce gang violence.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed - For persons who assemble for the purpose of illegally administering,
illegally manufacturing, or distributing drugs, this legislation reduces the waiting time before legal
action can be taken against a tenant or owner of record to remove these drug nuisance problems. This
bill provides our police with tools to fight the drugs in our communities.
Lead Sponsor - Bill Passed - With crime on the rise, it is important that we protect the rights of
victims who suffered at the hands of the criminal. This legislation ensures that the victim has the
right to be present at any hearing request to shorten the jail sentence of their convicted criminal.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed - These bills increase the period of time for which a judge is authorized
to extend a temporary protective order to ensure the delivery of the protective order.
These bills extend the maximum duration of a final protective order from 1 year to 2 years if the abuser
continues to abuse after the original protective order expired.
Lead Sponsor - Bill Passed - When a person is convicted of a traffic violation, such as, negligent or reckless driving, that causes the death of another individual, current law only allows a minor traffic fine for the violator. Tragic situations like this have occurred in our area and throughout the state. This law grants the judge the discretion to suspend the driver license of the violator for up to six months and also allows the victim's representative to be present at the hearing and also provide testimony.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed - There is a growing and unmet need with those that have disabilities in our state. This bill establishes a checkoff box on the Maryland Income Tax form for voluntary contributions to the 'Waiting List Equity Fund' for services to individuals with developmental disabilities. These are voluntary donations made from the individuals of the state and has no effect on tax income received by the State of Maryland, but it will have a positive impact for those with disabilities.
Co-Sponsor - Bill Passed - This bill establishes the Affordable Housing Land Trust Act and specifies the powers and duties of an affordable housing land trust and the contents of an affordable housing land trust agreement.
Partially Successful Legislation
Lead Sponsor - This idea came from my son, Isaac Simonaire, and it would have marked the
first Monday of October as Young Heroes Day. It was designed to recognize and honor the significant
contributions and important role young people play in our society and state.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously and had the personal support of the Governor, but it died in the House
on the last day of session.
Isaac was pleased when upon the request of Senator Simonaire the Governor made an Executive
Proclamation honoring Young Heroes Day for the first Monday in October for one year.
Other Topics
Maryland must balance its budget annually. It can not operate a deficit budget. Maryland has been spending beyond its means for several years. It is my hope leadership will address the underlying structural deficits instead of using the old methods of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Eventually, this style of financing will catch up with the residents of Maryland and it will most likely end up with another massive tax increase.
I will continue to fight against this out of control spending and taxation.
As a father of seven children, while I understand there always seems to be more needs than resources, I cannot support a legislative pay increase during one of the most challenging financial predicaments in our state s history.
I will do everything in my legislative power to halt any effort to push through General Assembly raises this year.
Please know that I have not received a single raise during my years in the Maryland Senate and will not support any raises for the next four years.
Additionally, I have voluntarily participated in the Legislative Furlough program where I donated money from my salary directly back into the state's general fund during these difficult financial times.
UPDATE: I voted to reject the recommendation to give legislators a pay increase -- There will be no legislator pay raise for at least another four years!
I voted for a bill which is an emergency bill that creates a tax credit against the State income tax for employers who hire qualified individuals. While this is not an end-all to the skyrocketing unemployment numbers in Maryland, it does put money back into our small business owner's hands and works to encourage more hiring.
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