The Chamber

Current Office: Senator
First Elected: 11/08/1994
Next Election: 2014
Party: Democratic

General

Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Rachel; 3 Children: Nathaniel Jr., Byron, Devon Dodson
Birth date: 08/03/1946
Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
Home City: Baltimore MD
Religion: Baptist

Profession

Facilitator, Lake Clifton/Eastern Senior High School, 1998-present Teacher, Baltimore City Public Schools, 1968-present Work-Based Learning Manager, Baltimore City Public Schools, 1997-1998 Coordinator of Educational Opportunity Program, Lake Clifton and Eastern Senior High School, Baltimore, 1988-1994 Head, Social Studies Department, Southwestern Senior High School, 1987-1988 Coordinator of Community Affairs, Sojourner-Douglass College, 1985-1988 Principal, Dunbar Adult Evening School, 1979-1982 Head of Social Sciences Department, Lombard Junior High School, 1975-1982 Teacher, Dunbar High School, 1968-1975

Education

MS, History & Social Sciences, Morgan State University, 1972 BA, Geography & History Education, Morgan State University, 1968 Attended, Baltimore City College

Committees

Audit
Budget and Taxation
Executive Nominations
Legislative Ethics
Rules
Special Committee on Pensions
Spending Affordability
Subcommittee on Capital Budget
Subcommittee on Health and Human Services
Subcommittee on Health, Education, and Human Resources
Subcommittee on Pensions

SB 236 Septic System Installation Requirements
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 443 Establishes State Health Insurance Exchange
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 892 Expands Gambling
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 523 Increases Income Tax
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 559 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Children
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

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SB 236 Septic System Installation Requirements
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 443 Establishes State Health Insurance Exchange
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 892 Expands Gambling
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 523 Increases Income Tax
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 559 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Children
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 438
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 1 Congressional Redistricting
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 1
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination
Stage: Motion Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 690 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination
Stage: Motion Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 302 Parole Approval
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SB 994 Increasing Sales and Use Tax on Alcoholic Beverages
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 116 Civil Marriage Protection Act
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 465 Establishes Collective Bargaining Procedures for Certain Child Care Providers
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 590 Establishes a Public School Labor Relations Board
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 590 Establishes a Public School Labor Relations Board
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 465 Establishes Collective Bargaining Procedures for Certain Child Care Providers
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 627 Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 825 Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 789 Requires Shift Breaks for Certain Employees
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 1035 Authorizes Card Games at a Specific Facility
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 248 Increasing Civil Court Case Surcharges
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 844 Public Service Commission Regulation of New Electric Generation Facilities
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 1013 Regulation of Power Plants
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 1013 Regulation of Power Plants
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SB 90 2008-2009 Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Amnd. 663027/2 Power Plant Regulation
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Amnd. 663027/2 Power Plant Regulation
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HB 362 Department of Information Technology
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SB 373 Tax Credit for Educational Donations
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 309 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 2 Banning Cell Phones While Driving
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 90 2008-2009 Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 90 2008-2009 Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 90 2008-2009 Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 243 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SB 111 Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 5 Sales Tax Increase
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 5 Sales Tax Increase
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 430 State Living Wage
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 430 State Living Wage
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SB 634 Presidential Election by Popular Vote
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 488 Felon Voting Rights
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Amendment 993627/1 2008-2009 Budget Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SB 533 Removal of Remarriage Barriers
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 1 Early Voting
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 2 Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 1 Electricity Rates
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HB 1035 Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HB 1368 Election Changes
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HB 1215 School Closure Regulations
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HB 1035 Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 320 Emergency Goods & Services Price Restriction Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 154 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 154 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SB 539 Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SB 293 Public Charter School Program Reform Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SB 257 Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SB 257 Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

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