A summer study is another name for a dead bill – except when it isn’t. 

            Last year, I introduced House Bill 703.  It would have charged every lawyer in Maryland $50.  The money raised, a projected $1.7 million annually, would be used to help repay the academic debt of attorneys working for the government or a non-profit and earning less than $60,000.

            I knew the bill would not pass.  I wanted to start a discussion. 

            I helped that process along by speaking to Judge Irma Raker, chair of the judiciary’s Access to Justice Commission.  She was interested.  I helped write the letter from the House committee chair asking the commission to have a summer study of my idea.

            This summer, I testified before the commission.  It came up with the idea of imposing an additional $75 fee on out-of-state lawyers for handling a legal action without taking the Maryland Bar.    The projected revenue: $48,800. 

             House Bill 523 passed the House today, 104-33.  (Republicans are opposed to fee increases, not just tax hikes.)

             The bill must now be considered by the State Senate, where I hope it is not sent to summer study.

March 10