By One Vote - New Septic Requirements Pass Without Guarantee of Funding 3-30-09
Republican Senators urged rejection of a bill creating new mandates on homeowners in the critical areas for septic systems. The bill Senate Bill 554 - Chesapeake Bay Nitrogen Reduction Act of 2009 had been heavily amended on the floor but still failed to contain a funding guarantee for rural homeowners in the Critical Areas.
Without a guarantee of state funding for replacement systems, a homeowner could face a bill of over $12,000 for the required nitrogen-removal systems.
Senators argued that the availability of state funding was working as an incentive program for replacement systems on the Eastern Shore, as reported in yesterday's Delmarva Now website click here , but that as a mandate without a funding guarantee it would be overly burdensome to rural homeowners who are already financially hard-pressed. They also decried the added septic costs for new homes and its impact on an already-depressed housing market.
After the debate, the bill passed third reader by one vote (see voting list below). Just prior to the close of the session, a motion to reconsider the third reader vote was rejected by the chamber.
SEQ NO. 623 MAR 30, 2009 9:07 PM
Senate of Maryland
2009 Regular Session
SB 554 Third Reading (SB) Calendar No. 51
Sen. Lenett et al (EHE)
Chesapeake Bay Nitrogen Reduction Act of 2009
On Third Reading
PRESIDING: MR.PRESIDENT
LEGISLATIVE DATE
MAR 28, 2009
24 YEAS 23 NAYS 0 EXC 0 NOT VOTING 0 EXCUSED (ABSENT)
VOTING YEA - 24
MR.PRESIDENT FROSH KING PUGH
BROCHIN GARAGIOLA LENETT RASKIN
CONWAY GLADDEN MADALENO ROBEY
CURRIE HARRINGTON MCFADDEN ROSAPEPE
DELLA JONES PETERS STONE
EXUM KELLEY PINSKY ZIRKIN
VOTING NAY - 23
ASTLE FOREHAND KASEMEYER MUNSON
BRINKLEY GLASSMAN KITTLEMAN MUSE
COLBURN GREENIP KLAUSMEIER PIPKIN
DEGRANGE HAINES KRAMER SIMONAIRE
DYSON HARRIS MIDDLETON STOLTZFUS
EDWARDS JACOBS MOONEY
NOT VOTING - 0
EXCUSED FROM VOTING - 0
EXCUSED (ABSENT) - 0