Legislative Service

SENATE OF MARYLAND (1995 to present)

• Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2003-Present
• Member, Senate Rules Committee, 2003-Present, Vice Chair, 2007-Present
• Member, Governor's Commission on Climate Change, 2007-Present
• Member, Joint Oversight Committee on the Department of Juvenile Services, 2006-Present
• Member, Special Committee on State Employee Rights and Protections, 2005-2006
• Member, National Conference of State Legislatures (environment & natural resources committee, 2005-2007; agriculture, environment & energy committee, 2007-Present; law & criminal justice committee, 2007-Present
• Chair, Senate Special Commission on Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, 2004
• Member, State Advisory Council on Water Security and Sewerage, 2004
• Member, Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-Present
• Member, Environmental Restoration and Development Task Force, 2003
• Deputy Majority Leader, Senate of Maryland, 2001-2003
• Member, U.S. Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, 1996-2002
• Member, Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs, 1995-2003
• Chair, Environment Subcommittee, 1995-2003
• Co-Chair, Senate Special Committee on Gaming, 2001-2003
• Member, Executive Nominations Committee, 2003-Present
• Member, Legislative Policy Committee, 2003-Present
• Member, Special Commission on Legislative Prayer, 2003
• Member, Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2003, 2007
• Member, Senate Committee on Redistricting, 2001-2002
• Member, Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas, 1995-2003
• Member, Chesapeake Bay Commission, 1995-Present; Chair, 2001
• Member, State Economic Growth Resource Protection and Planning Commission, 1995-2003
• Member, Nutrient Management Advisory Committee, 1998-2003
• Member, Smart Codes Strategy Group, 1999-2000
• Member, Chesapeake Executive Council, 2001
• Member, Task Force on Energy Conservation and Efficiency, 2001
• Member, Task Force on the Environmental Effects of MTBE, 2000-2001
• Member, Oil Spill Prevention Advisory Committee, 2000
• Member, Study Commission on Lobbyist Ethics, 1999-2000
• Co-Chair, Article 66B (planning & zoning) Study Commission, 1999-2000
• Member, Task Force to Study Retail Electric Competition and the Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry, 1997-1998
• Member, Blue Ribbon Citizens Pfiesteria Commission, 1997
• Member, Maryland Green Caucus, 1996-Present
• Senate Chair, Joint Committee to Study Mandates on Local Government, 1995-1997
• Member, Maryland Recycling Advisory Group, 1995-1997
• Member, Maryland Environmental Trust, 1995-1997
• Member, Task Force to Review the State's Election Law, 1995

MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES (1987 to 1994)

• Member, Environmental Matters Committee, 1987-1994
• Chair, Various Special Subcommittees
• Chair, Montgomery County Delegation, 1991-1993
• Member, Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1991-1994
• Member, Governor's Energy Task Force, 1991-1993
• Member, Governor's Work Group on Acid Rain, 1988-1989
  [Back to topics]

Major Legislative Accomplishments
Clean Cars Act - Sponsor of law that will make Maryland's cars cleaner, reduce pollution of the air and the Chesapeake Bay and cut greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles.

Maryland Recycling Act - Author of Maryland Act requiring the State and counties to establish recycling programs. Has resulted in recycling of 1,000,000 tons of trash every year.

Newsprint Recycling Act - Author of Newsprint Recycling Act which requires newspapers to use recycled paper. Ultimately, 40% use of recycled paper will be required.

Oil Spills - Author of Omnibus Oil Spill Protection Act which expands liability and increases fines and penalties for oil spills. Empowers State to set standards for safe transport and storage of petroleum products.

Privacy Protection - Author of Maryland Driver Privacy Protection Act which prohibits the Motor Vehicle Administration from selling personal information about Maryland drivers without permission.

Telemarketing - Author of legislation authorizing Maryland's Attorney General to enforce Federal Do-Not-Call legislation in State Courts.

Juvenile Justice - Author of bill refocusing juvenile justice system on reforming juvenile offenders through community-based facilities.

Identity Theft - Author of law making it easier for Maryland authorities to prosecute identity theft.

Invasive Species - Author of legislation beefing up Maryland's authority to deal with snakehead fish and other nonnative aquatic species.

Brownfields - Author of Brownfields Redevelopment Act which provides incentives for the expedited cleanup of contaminated industrial sites.

Bay Protection and Oil Exploration - Author of legislation prohibiting drilling for oil and gas in the Chesapeake Bay and establishing environmental safeguards for drilling on land.

Campaign Finance Reform - Author of law facilitating enforcement of existing requirements and establishing new penalties for violations of campaign contribution limits.

Energy Conservation - Author of law requiring utilities to implement conservation programs before constructing new power plants.

Truck Covers - Chaired subcommittee and crafted legislation that broke the 27 year logjam on truck cover legislation.

Selected Community Projects - Capital Crescent Trail, traffic safety, sound barriers, National Capital Poison Control Center, National Center for Children and Families, Imagination Stage, Adventure Theatre, Ivymount School, Glen Echo Park.

College Scholarships - Author of law that provides scholarships to state universities for children in foster care.

Public Safety - sponsor of interstate compact that beefs up supervision of violent felons on parole or probation.

Bay Dumping - author of law that phases out the practice of dumping of dredge spoils in the Chesapeake Bay.
[Back to topics]

Selected Honors and Citations

• "Legislative Leader of the Year" - Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police
• "2007 John R. Hargreaves Legislative Fellow" - Salisbury University
• "Spirit of Human Achievement Award" - National Center for Children and Families
• "Policy Maker of the Year"- Washington Psychiatric Society
• "Consumer Legislator of the Year" - Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition
• "Legislative Sponsor Award" - The Maryland Children's Action Network
• "John V. Kabler Memorial Award" - Maryland League of Conservation Voters
• "Public Official of the Year" - Audubon Naturalist Society
• "Lawmaker of the Year" - American Lung Association of Maryland
• "Conservationist of the Year" - Sierra Club of Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia
• "Certificate of Merit" - Common Cause of Maryland
• Citation from Chesapeake Bay Foundation for conservation work and service on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay
• "Outstanding Service" - American Heart Association of Maryland
• "Certificate of Appreciation" as "Rescuer" of National Capital Poison Center
• "Award for Leadership" - Washington Area Bicyclist Association for pursuing better bicycling and walking conditions in the State of Maryland
• "Biker of the Year" - Montgomery County Department of Public Works Transportation
• "Legislator of the Year" - 1000 Friends of Maryland
• "Leadership and Outstanding Service Award" - Maryland State Bar Association
  [Back to topics]

Education

• Graduate of Montgomery County Public Schools:
  • Bradley Elementary
  • North Bethesda Junior High School
  • Walter Johnson High School, 1964
• Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT), B.A. 1968
• University of Stockholm (Stockholm, Sweden), 1966-67
• Columbia University School of Law, (New York, NY), J.D. 1971
  
  [Back to topics]

Activities and Associations

• Attorney in private practice, 1976-present
• Honorary Member, Hebrew Home Board, 1998-present
• Member, U.S. Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, 1996-2002
• Director, Clean Air Trust, 1995 to 2006
• Board of Directors, Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, 1986-1994
• Board of Directors, Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 1983-89
• Executive Committee, Wesleyan University Alumni Association, 1986-89
• Montgomery County Charter Review Commission, 1983-86
• Board of Directors, State National Bank of Maryland, 1976-85
• National Advisory Council, U.S. Small Business Administration, 1981-82
  [Back to topics]