ATTEND a JPR VOTING SESSION 2/21!

Deep Lurker · Feb 20, 2020

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee (JPR) is scheduled to hold TWO VOTING SESSIONS on Friday, February 21, 2020 on the GUN BILLS, among others, that have already been given a Committee hearing.

The FIRST voting session is planned for 8:30 AM in the Senate JPR hearing room on the second floor of the Miller Senate Office Building.

This voting session session will continue until it is time for the Senators to cross the street for their regular floor session in the Senate chamber in the Statehouse beginning at 11:00 AM.

After this Senate floor session ends, it is planned that the members of Senate JPR will re-convene back at the Senate JPR hearing room for a SECOND VOTING SESSION that will commence at or near 12 NOON, or whenever the Senate chamber floor session ends.

The Chairs of Committees typically announce the precise afternoon meeting time of their Committee at the VERY END of the Statehouse chamber floor session, which is available to listen to or watch online.

Deep Lurker · Feb 20, 2020

Many on this forum have testified before legislative Committees, but probably relatively few have attended the actual voting sessions where the legislators meet (in the same room where the bills are heard) to discuss the bills, suggest possible amendments, and take votes that move the bills out of the Committee with either a “favorable” or “unfavorable” report.

Likewise, probably few are aware that these voting sessions are open to the public.

Under the Maryland Open Meetings Act, voting sessions must be conducted so that the public can observe them.

Unlike the hearings, where witnesses can speak to the Committee during testimony, voting sessions do not permit the public to speak, only to listen and observe the proceedings.

On very rare occasions, if Committee members have a question or concern about a bill that they cannot resolve among themselves, and if a recognized subject matter expert is sitting in the visitor seating of the room the Senators may pose questions to them seeking answers or advice in an attempt to resolve the issue.

For example, Mark Pennak, president of Maryland Shall Issue, has answered such subject matter questions about gun bills during voting sessions. (Although Mark is present at almost all voting sessions for gun bills, his schedule precludes him from being present at this particular voting session on 2/21.)

If you haven’t had an opportunity to observe a Committee voting session, it is a fascinating experience that fills in the gap between the public hearing on a bill and the public announcement that a bill has passed out of Committee with a favorable or unfavorable recommendation to the full chamber.

Perhaps most importantly, the physical presence of observers from our community in the voting session emphasizes to the Committee that their process of evaluating these bills is being closely watched by our community, and any lack of diligence on their part in considering them carefully will be noted and widely communicated outside the room.

Deep Lurker · Feb 20, 2020

Also on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 1PM there will also be a significant pro-2A event in the historic Statehouse.

A $25,000 check will be presented to our friend Maj Toure of Black Guns Matter near the new life-size statutes of Harriet Tubman and Frederic Douglass just installed there.

GOF Celebrates Black History Month by Awarding Maj Toure, Black Guns Matter $25,000

Annapolis, MD — Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) will celebrate Black History Month by presenting a check to Maj Toure and Black Guns Matter at the Maryland State House in front of the new Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass statues.

The resources will be used to support firearm safety and conflict resolution training in Baltimore, Atlanta, Detroit, Richmond, New Orleans, Birmingham, Tallahasse, Columbia, Memphis, and Nashville.

What: Black Guns Matter Tour Kickoff

When: February 21st — 1 p.m.

Where: Maryland Statehouse, 100 State Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401 (In the Old House Chamber, in front of the new Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass statues.)

Who: Black Guns Matter & Gun Owners Foundation (GOF)

Click here to read more about this unusual event, which would benefit from your presence:

https://gunowners.org/gof-celebrate...guns-matter-25000-for-urban-outreach-efforts/

Deep Lurker · Feb 20, 2020

Take Route 50 to the Rowe Boulevard exit, look for the Navy Stadium on the right, turn right on Taylor Avenue to the stadium parking lots on the right.

Map of the Capitol complex:

http://www.mdffa.org/media/web/1481036599_1480972737_Map State Govt. Annapolis.pdf

Parking is available at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium all day for $5.00.

The Trolley Shuttle picks up passengers at the Navy stadium parking lot and drops off at various stops near the Senate Office Building and the Statehouse (ask the driver for guidance in choosing a stop) for $2.00.

There is free “all-day” (9-Hour) street parking on King George Street, east of St. John’s College, along the Naval Academy Wall.

(Check the parking signs; avoid the PERMIT PARKING ONLY near the intersection with College Avenue.)

The residential neighborhoods surrounding the Capitol offer free 2-hour street parking; check the signs.

The Senate JPR Voting Sessions take place in the Miller Senate Office Building, Building #13A.

The Maj Toure $25,000 check presentation takes place at 1 PM in the historic Statehouse, Building #18.

Deep Lurker · Feb 21, 2020

Bumping for some very interesting 2A opportunities in Naptown today.

ziptiespec · Feb 21, 2020

Wish I could be there to meet Maj, witness the GOF presenting him with the check, and also watching the JPR voting session.

Deep Lurker · Feb 21, 2020

Yes, me too, but everything developed on too short notice to do a full call-out.

Nevertheless, everything posted up here in case anyone was free to go to any of these events.

Deep Lurker · Feb 21, 2020

Update: at 1PM the Senate JPR commenced a bill hearing, not a voting session.

I will search for further info about the previously scheduled afternoon voting session.

Update at 2:15 PM: unknown if or when there will be an afternoon voting session; bills were considered at the morning voting session.

ATTEND a JPR VOTING SESSION 2/21!

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Deep Lurker

Ultimate Member

Deep Lurker

Ultimate Member

Deep Lurker

Ultimate Member

Attachments

Deep Lurker

Ultimate Member

Attachments

Deep Lurker

Ultimate Member

ziptiespec

Active Member

Deep Lurker

Ultimate Member

Deep Lurker

Ultimate Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Latest threads

Forum statistics

Share this page