ANNAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Larry Hogan signed multiple measures Thursday, many aimed at protecting Maryland’s environment.
The ceremony took place by the water at the City Dock, not far from the Chesapeake Bay. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch attended.
Several of the bills, more than 200 in total, were proposed by the governor himself.
One of the governor’s bills is the Clean Cars Act of 2017. It reauthorizes a rebate for electric vehicle recharging equipment.
Hogan also signed a measure to create greater protections for Maryland taxpayers from tax fraud and identity theft.
The measure strengthens the ability of the comptroller’s office to stop tax fraud, protect taxpayer information and hold fraudulent filers and tax preparers accountable.
Comptroller Peter Franchot says: “It’s the missing piece of the puzzle for fighting tax fraud.”
The bill gives added responsibilities to the Field Enforcement Division of the Comptroller’s Office to investigate potential tax fraud. It allows the agency to seek injunctions against tax preparers suspected of fraudulent and criminal practices.
The comptroller’s office says more than 76,000 fraudulent returns have been blocked from being processed since 2007, adding up to more than $174 million.
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