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face of an unfavorable attitude of a com-
mittee chairman.
In the General Assembly of Maryland in
both houses it is very easy to get a bill on
the floor, even in the face of unfavorable
committee action.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Gallagher.
DELEGATE GALLAGHER: Is it not
equally true that the members of the Gen-
eral Assembly have been known not only to
see to it, when they were ill-disposed to-
ward a bill that it might be taken up in
committee when there were only a few per-
sons present, but also on some occasions,
some of the chairmen have refused to bring
up the bill for consideration by the commit-
tee, so you never get an opportunity to get
a vote on it?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate James.
DELEGATE JAMES: I would have to
answer that question by saying the com-
mittee chairman in the General Assembly
of Maryland has a relatively weak position
compared with the congressional system.
The majority of the committee simply can
tell the committee chairman what to do in
the General Assembly of Maryland, and
that is an absolute fact. He may be per-
suasive and have certain persuasive au-
thority, but the majority rules in those
committees.
THE CHAIRMAN : Does any other dele-
gate have questions for the sponsor of the
amendment?
Delegate Koss.
DELEGATE KOSS: Delegate James,
is it not true that the committees of the
General Assembly have the authority at
any point to declare either an executive
session or to specifically ask certain people
to leave?
DELEGATE JAMES: I would say that
this is true. This will still remain true.
DELEGATE KOSS: I do not know
whether this is in order at the moment,
but my understanding of the amendment
would make it impossible for an interested
citizen to know what the vote was.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate James.
DELEGATE JAMES: The vote on the
floor is a real test, is it not?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Koss.
DELEGATE KOSS: Again, I was con-
cerned, and I agree, it is not relevant in
terms of the bills that are killed in the
committee.
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THE CHAIRMAN: Are there any fur-
ther questions of the sponsor?
Delegate Della.
DELEGATE DELLA: Mr. Chairman, in
reference to the committee —
THE CHAIRMAN: Just a second, Dele-
gate Della. This is a period of questions to
the sponsor. I will recognize you in a
moment. Are there any further questions
to the sponsor?
Delegate Fornos.
DELEGATE FORNOS: Senator James,
did your last session of the Senate pass a
conflict of interest law?
DELEGATE JAMES: I could refuse to
answer that question on the basis that it
might incriminate the House.
DELEGATE FORNOS: What happened
to that bill?
DELEGATE JAMES: The bill passed
the Senate, but it was defeated in the
House.
DELEGATE FORNOS: That never
came out of the house committee, is that
not right?
DELEGATE FORNOS: Well, that was
due to the lack of energy on the part of the
house members to see that it did get on the
floor. It was a very simple procedure. I
think you need fifteen people to bring it up
on the floor. Fifteen energetic members
could have called for the vote.
THE CHAIRMAN: Your time has
expired.
Is there any discussion?
Delegate Della.
DELEGATE DELLA: Mr. Chairman,
and ladies and gentlemen: I think from the
colloquy that has taken place here this
morning that the action of the committee
on final votes considering bills is extremely
significant, and equally as significant as
what takes place on the floor of the Gen-
eral Assembly, because one of the functions
of the General Assembly, unfortunately or
fortunately, depending upon your point of
view, is to kill legislation as well as to pass
legislation.
I think it is quite obvious in the final vote
on the committee then when bills are killed
is certainly equally as significant as the
final vote on the floor of either chamber
when bills are killed or passed. It is just a
question of when the funeral takes place.
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