PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

J.R. 7

WHEREAS, There is an inherent inconsistency in allowing an employee, in
accordance with statute, to participate freely in any political activity, including running
for office, and barring such employee, in accordance with the Constitution, from holding
such office; and

WHEREAS, These dual office provisions place an onerous burden on people who
have chosen careers of protecting lives and fighting fires, and on municipal officers; and

WHEREAS, It is desirable and in the public interest to study whether a
constitutional amendment is needed to guarantee that the political rights of all
government employees are equal; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor is requested to appoint a task force to determine whether changes are needed
in the Maryland Constitution and Declaration of Rights, and if such changes are needed,
to propose a constitutional amendment to implement them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force be composed of 13 members, including:

(1)     The Attorney General, or a designee, as chairman;

(2)     A member of the House of Delegates of Maryland, appointed by the
Speaker of the House;

Senate;

(3)     A member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the

(4)     The following members appointed by the Governor:
(i) A representative of police officers;

(ii) A representative of sheriffs;

(iii) A representative of firefighters;

(iv) A representative of the Maryland Classified Employees
Association;

(v) A representative of the American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees;

(vi) A representative of teachers;

(vii) A representative of the Maryland Association of Counties;

(viii) A representative of the Maryland Municipal League; and

(ix) Two members of the public; and be it further

RESOLVED, That notice of each meeting of the task force be made public by
delivering a copy of the meeting notice to the Legislative Information Officer, Room B-6,
Department of Legislative Reference, Legislative Services Building, 90 State Circle,
Annapolis, Maryland 21401-1991. The notice should be delivered no later than Tuesday
afternoon at 4:00 p.m. for inclusion in the weekly Hearing Schedule; and be it further

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