I testified in the midnight hour last night.

I’ve passed bills in the last hour of the 90-day session. I’ve seen my bills die because the clock ran out at midnight.

I don’t think I’ve ever testified on a bill as late as I did yesterday.
House Bill 819 was one of 40 gun bills heard by the Judiciary Committee, starting at 1 pm.

This legislation deals with a license to carry a concealed weapon, specifically who hears appeals from the initial decision made by the State Police.

Under existing law, it’s the Handgun Permit Review Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor.

The current members, all appointees of Governor Hogan, have reversed many more license denials by the State Police than did their predecessors.

HB 819 would send those appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings, where administrative law judges are experienced in reviewing decisions by state agencies.

A little later than normal, but still early this morning, I contacted OAH to get the relevant data on issues raised the night before by the pro-gun opponents of HB 819.

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Tzedek means justice, in Hebrew.

At the funeral of Judge Dana Levitz, one of his eulogists told the mourners that the judge’s license plate was TZEDEK.

That prompted me to ask the Governor’s Office if that license plate could be retired.

It soon was and will not be issued again.

I told Dale Levitz, Dana’s widow, and she has given me permission to share this story.

We call this a mitzvah, a good deed that is a positive commandment.