Legality of Cannabis by U.S. Jurisdiction

Jack Bailey
Bailey in 2021
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 29th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byStephen M. Waugh
ConstituencyCalvert County and St. Mary's County
Personal details
Born
John Daniel Bailey

(1965-08-27) August 27, 1965 (age 58)
Elkton, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKarin Bailey[1]
Children2
Residence(s)Mechanicsville, Maryland, U.S.
EducationJohns Hopkins University (BS, MS)
OccupationMaryland Natural Resources Police, 1991-2017[2]
Signature

John Daniel Bailey (born August 27, 1965) is a Republican member of the Maryland Senate from the 29th district, based in Calvert County and St. Mary's County.[3]

Early life and career[edit]

Bailey was born in Elkton, Maryland on August 27, 1965. He attended St. Mary's Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Maryland and attended the Mount St. Mary's University and Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a B.S. degree in management in 2013 and a M.S. degree in management in 2014. From 1991 to 2017, he worked as a conservation officer for the Maryland Natural Resources Police.[3]

In March 2018, Bailey declared his candidacy for Maryland Senate, seeking a primary challenge to senator Stephen M. Waugh,[4] who was a target of Governor Larry Hogan for voting with Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller one too many times.[5] During the primary, Hogan endorsed and financed Bailey's campaign.[6][7] He defeated Waugh in the primary by nearly 800 votes.[5] He defeated Democratic challenger Thomas Brewer in the general election with 60.2 percent of the vote.[8]

Bailey is a life member of the National Rifle Association,[3] who gave him an AQ rating and endorsed his candidacy in 2018.[9]

In the legislature[edit]

Bailey was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 9, 2019.[3]

Committee assignments[edit]

  • Member, Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2021–present
  • Member, Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness, 2019–present
  • Member, Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2019–2020 (education subcommittee, 2019–present; alcohol subcommittee, 2020–present)

Other memberships[edit]

  • Member, Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2019–present

Political positions[edit]

Drugs[edit]

Bailey introduced legislation in the 2019 legislative session that would charge fentanyl dealers with second-degree murder if fentanyl was a contributing cause of someone's death.[10] The bill was rejected by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 4-7.[11]

Bailey introduced legislation in the 2021 legislative session that would ban the possession of tobacco products by minors on school property. The bill failed due to concerns about a fine it would impose as a civil penalty. He reintroduced the bill during the 2022 legislative session without a fine.[12]

Education[edit]

During his 2018 state senate campaign, Bailey called the Safe to Learn Act — legislation that includes $40 million in school safety funding — a "step in the right location. But that was a small step," adding that local and state government and law enforcement "do 75 percent of what that bill says already."[13]

During a debate on an education reform bill introduced in the 2019 legislative session, Bailey introduced an amendment that would update the bill to include the state's most recent calculation of schools with more than 80 percent of students receiving free or reduced-price meals. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 18-27, but Senate President Bill Ferguson publicly committed to working with Bailey to ask Governor Hogan to process a budget amendment for the additional funding without cutting elsewhere.[14]

During the 2020 legislative session, Bailey voted against a multi-billion-dollar education reform bill,[15][16] calling it "ill-planned".[17] He also introduced legislation that would exempt substitute teachers from receiving paid sick leave.[18]

Bailey opposed legislation introduced in the 2022 legislative session that would break up the College of Southern Maryland and use the college's La Plata campus to create a new Charles County Community College.[19]

Environment[edit]

During the 2019 legislative session, Bailey voted against legislation that would ban styrofoam food containers in restaurants.[20][21]

In October 2019, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters gave Bailey a score of 20 percent, the lowest score in the Maryland Senate and tying him with senator Jason C. Gallion.[22]

During a debate on the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2021, Bailey introduced an amendment to the bill that would exempt paratransit from needing to be electrified. It was adopted as a friendly amendment.[23]

Guns[edit]

During his 2018 state senate campaign, Bailey said that he was opposed to the creation of a publicly available gun registry, saying that people who want to get guns could potentially abuse the information.[24] He also said that he would have voted against Maryland's red flag law and bump stock ban.[9]

During a debate on legislation that would prevent people from carrying a gun in or near a polling place, Bailey introduced an amendment that would exempt law enforcement officers, off-duty officers, or retired officers from the bill's provisions. The amendment failed on a 17-29 vote.[25]

Immigration[edit]

During his 2018 state senate campaign, Bailey said that he is opposed to allowing Maryland to be a sanctuary state.[24]

Policing[edit]

Bailey co-sponsored legislation during the 2020 legislative session that would strengthen punishment for crimes against minors.[26]

During the 2021 legislative session, Bailey protested legislation that would repeal the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights in Maryland.[27] He also voted against legislation that would create criminal penalties for police officers who intentionally use excessive force, fail to intervene to stop colleagues, or refuse to aid someone wounded by police.[28] He introduced legislation that would incorporate law enforcement officers and first responders into Maryland hate crime laws.[29]

During the 2022 legislative session, Bailey voted against legislation that would require animal control officers to wear body cameras.[30]

Social issues[edit]

Bailey introduced legislation during the 2019 legislative session that would allow people in St. Mary's County to hunt any game bird or game mammal on Sundays during open season.[31] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan on April 30, 2019.[32]

Bailey co-sponsored legislation introduced during the 2020 legislative session that would make helmets optional for motorcyclists and their passengers if the motorcycle operator is 21 or older.[33] The bill was rejected by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 5-6.[34]

Taxes[edit]

During the 2021 legislative session, Bailey voted to sustain a gubernatorial veto on a bill that would levy a tax on digital advertising on large tech companies, pointing out that residents could easily go to states neighboring Maryland to avoid paying the state's taxes.[35]

Awards[edit]

Electoral history[edit]

Maryland Senate District 21 Republican Primary Election, 2018[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jack Bailey 4,339 54.7%
Republican Steve Waugh 3,587 45.3%
Maryland Senate District 21 General Election, 2018[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jack Bailey 28,918 60.2%
Democratic Thomas Brewer 19,017 39.6%
Other Write-Ins Other Write-Ins 96 0.2%

References[edit]

  1. ^ Soptelean, Caleb M. (November 26, 2021). "Bailey running again for school board in St. Mary's County". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "GAM-Senator Bailey Bio". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. February 19, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "John D. (Jack) Bailey, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 25, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  4. ^ Babock, Jason (March 2, 2018). "Bailey enters primary to challenge Waugh". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Zorzi, William F. (June 27, 2018). "Stunning Developments: Middleton, Vallario Lose, Conway Trails; Generational Change in Baltimore". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  6. ^ Kurtz, Josh (July 24, 2018). "Hogan Lending Muscle to State Senate Candidates as GOP Touts New Recruit". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Kurtz, Josh (May 23, 2018). "How Are Vulnerable State Senators Doing? Check Out Their Fundraising Here". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  8. ^ Cady, Meghan (November 6, 2018). "Incumbents representing Calvert win state, congressional races". Maryland Independent. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Zou, Dandan (June 22, 2018). "Waugh forum discusses second amendment". Maryland Independent. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  10. ^ Wharton, John; Zou, Dandan (February 27, 2019). "Bill would bring murder charge for fentanyl sales that lead to death". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  11. ^ Wharton, John (March 20, 2019). "Fentanyl-death homicide bill nixed by legislators". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  12. ^ Soptelean, Caleb M. (October 7, 2021). "St. Mary's commissioners, legislators talk proposals". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  13. ^ Zou, Dandan (May 23, 2018). "Waugh and Bailey debate school safety, third building and Hogan". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  14. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (April 3, 2019). "Senate Moves Forward on Kirwan Recommendations, Funding". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  15. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 12, 2020). "Senate Panels Approve Education Reform Bill With A Potential Off-Ramp After Five Years". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  16. ^ Griffith, Kristen (March 18, 2020). "St. Mary's officials question passing of Kirwan". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  17. ^ Soptelean, Caleb M. (March 20, 2020). "Legislature passes education bill; four taxes approved to help fund it". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 11, 2020). "Maryland Has Paid Sick Leave. But Is it Enough for Workers Impacted by Coronavirus?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  19. ^ Kurtz, Josh (February 2, 2022). "Senator Stands Alone in Fight Over Regional Community College". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  20. ^ ""Foam Free Maryland" Sinks Expectations". Calvert Beacon. March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Bateman, Madison (October 1, 2020). "Maryland becomes first state to ban foam carryout products". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Kurtz, Josh (October 3, 2019). "Md. Environmental Scorecard Finds a Lot to Like". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  23. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 10, 2021). "Md. Senate Advances Far-Reaching Climate Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Atkielski, Jacqui (October 4, 2018). "Brewer don't agree on much at debate". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  25. ^ Kurtz, Josh; Shwe, Elizabeth (March 4, 2021). "Bills on Digital Tax, Guns at Polling Places Move to Final Senate Votes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  26. ^ Soptelean, Caleb M. (January 31, 2020). "Bailey co-sponsoring two bills to toughen crimes against minors". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  27. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 18, 2021). "Partisan Lines Harden as Senate Panel Fights Over Major Police Reform Legislation". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  28. ^ Stole, Bryn (February 26, 2021). "Maryland Senate committee signs off on criminal penalties for police officers who use excessive force". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  29. ^ Bateman, Madison (January 7, 2021). "State legislators from SOMD talk bills for 2021". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  30. ^ Soptelean, Caleb M. (February 4, 2022). "$1.7M outstanding in emergency billing in St. Mary's; legislative bills discussed". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  31. ^ DeVille, Taylor (March 29, 2019). "Bailey proposes to expand Sunday hunting". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  32. ^ "Legislation - SB0390". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  33. ^ Barnes, Jeff (February 7, 2020). "Md. bill would make helmets optional for most motorcyclists". Maryland Independent. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "Legislation - SB0237". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  35. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Shwe, Elizabeth (February 12, 2021). "With Override Votes, Senate Passes Landmark Education Reform and Digital Ad Tax Bills Into Law". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  36. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  37. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 27, 2022.

External links[edit]