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Dozens of bills await Hogan’s decision as deadline nears

May 27th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Gov. Larry Hogan is deciding this week whether to veto roughly 100 bills passed during this year's General Assembly session that he has so far declined to sign.

He has until Saturday to either block the measures or let them become law.

Among them is legislation intended to protect lead paint poisoning victims against attempts to bilk them. Another would require the state to save money to replace a 76-year-old toll bridge in Southern Maryland. Others touch on economic, education and environmental issues. Some are duplicative or would only affect a single jurisdiction.

The governor's office is remaining tight-lipped about Hogan's intentions, saying some of the bills will remain under review until Friday. Most of the unresolved bills passed both chambers by overwhelming margins, making it likely that the Democratic majorities in the Senate and House of Delegates could override gubernatorial vetoes next January.

Attorney General Brian E. Frosh will be among those closely watching as Hogan makes his final decisions. He was the chief advocate for legislation seeking to rein in companies that offer to buy the rights to long-term settlements won by victims in civil suits for lump sums worth far less than the original payout. Such deals are often made in lead poisoning cases.

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