H2Oi-inspired events bill advances without prison time

Both Sen. Jim Mathias' and Delegate Mary Beth Carozza's version of the special event zones bill are currently being heard in the House of Delegates Environmental and Transportation committee.

The two bills co-filed with one another would allow the State Highway Administration to create designated zones during special vehicle events similar to work zones. These zones could carry a lower speed limit and would carry with it higher fines and the possibility of points added to licenses.

Mathias' bill recently crossed over from the Senate to the House of Delegates.

The bill passed the Judicial Proceedings committee unanimously, where it underwent minor changes. The sole punishment is now a fine of up to $1,000 instead of possible prison time and additional fines.

Mathias' bill was also changed so that special event zones only pertain to car shows and events such as Ocean City's H2Oi and Cruisin', and now the zone and punishment only apply to Worcester County instead of the entire state. 

His version of the bill was first heard by the House of Delegates Environmental and Transportation committee on March 20.

Mathias' bill passed the Senate 46-0 on March 19 with only one senator, Steve Waugh, R-District 29, not voting.

Carozza said she is "encouraged" with conversations she has had with senior members of the committee that they have made a "strong case" to pass the bill to ensure it is in place by the time motor events begin in Ocean City in late spring.

"Just like school zones and work construction zones, these special event zones would allow for reduced speed limits, special signage and increased penalties which would help us better protect the public during these special events,” Carozza said in a release. “I continue to urge my colleagues to move forward with this priority public safety legislation.”

Carozza's version of the bill has also been amended to be just a Worcester County bill, too. 

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During both hearings within the last month, a strong local contingent of leaders were present. 

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro, Worcester County Sheriff Office's Lt. Ed Schreier, Cruisin' events organizer Bob Rothermel and Vice President for the Harrison Group Hotels G. Hale Harrison all spoke on behalf of the bills. 

Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melanie Pursel and Donna Abbott, director of Ocean City Tourism Department, were also present for Sen. Mathias' hearing.

"We feel this bill would give more authority to police department and allied forces to enforce stricter penalties during special events," Pursel said before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Feb. 27. "These penalties would create a strong deterrent for individuals who may otherwise pose a threat to public safety."

Some of the content shared during those meetings made an impact on senators and delegates. 

"Those people are all behaving like idiots," said Sen. Justin Ready, R-Carroll County, after seeing a video presented by Buzzuro of the scenes on the streets at H2Oi. "I don’t know what the appeal is watching people burn out like that in the middle of the road."

When Carozza's version of the bill was being heard on March 2, Herb McMillan, R-Anne Arundel County, had some issues with the penalties laid out in the bill for rule violators.

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Due to the increase in punishments for rule violators in the special event zone, McMillan wondered if the bill should go before the Judiciary Committee.

"I am not saying these penalties are wrong ... I am just saying in this committee, where we handle traffic violations, we don’t get into 10 years in prison or fines of this magnitude," he said. "And when I saw this, and this is brand new law, it does give me concern, and I wondered if, candidly, if we should be the only committee looking at this."

On Twitter @hughesg19