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A proposal to let Maryland residents decide whether they should have the power to remove elected state leaders charged with a crime appears to have died in the General Assembly, the chief sponsor said.

"It's not happening," said Del. Barbara A. Frush (D-Dist. 21) of Beltsville, who proposed the measure at the request of residents in her district.

Frush said the bill will likely never leave the House Environmental Matters Committee, which reviews any bill that deals with ethics and local government. The group held a hearing on the bill two weeks ago, and Frush said no one was interested in the idea. She said residents who had called for the bill did not attend.

"It's kind of hard to ask people to support something when no one speaks for it," she said.

House Bill 337 would have created a ballot question in 2012 to allow for recall elections, a process where residents could petition to vote out any state-level elected leader indicted on or convicted of a felony.

Frush, who proposed a similar bill in 2009 but said the bill was "dead on arrival," made the latest attempt as residents complained there was no way to vote out accused lawmakers arrested in recent months.

Former County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) was indicted by a federal grand jury Feb. 14 on charges of bribery, extortion and conspiracy for allegedly collecting more than $205,000 in cash from developers in exchange for his assistance in helping them secure federal grants. His wife, current Councilwoman Leslie Johnson (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville, is also facing charges for allegedly destroying evidence related to the case. Both have denied the allegations.

At the state level, state Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Dist. 25) of District Heights is facing federal charges related to his work as a paid consultant for the Shoppers Food Warehouse grocery store chain. Currie, allegedly used his position — which he did not disclose to the state — to pressure the state for actions that benefited the stores.

Currie resigned as chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee after his indictment but continues to serve in the state Senate. Under state law, elected officials are allowed to remain in office until they are convicted or plead guilty of a crime.

Critics of the proposal said waiting for a conviction is best, making many reluctant to speed up the process.

"Mrs. Johnson will have her day in court," said Arthur Turner, a former Democratic Central Committee member who lives in Johnson's district. "You are innocent until proven guilty."

The Hillandale Gardens Citizens Association in Adelphi was a primary supporter of the proposal, calling on Frush to impose county and state recalls more than two years ago. Residents renewed their call when the Johnsons were arrested in November.

Myers said the group also wants county leaders to change the law so local leaders could be recalled, but that requires council support. While 18 states allow for elected leaders to be recalled, it would take a change in the Maryland Constitution to allow it.

"We'll try to re-introduce it. At least she did introduce it," Hillandale Gardens Association president Pat Myers said, suggesting an "information campaign" to make Maryland residents aware of the restrictions regarding removing officials.

Myers could not be reached for comment on the lack of support at the hearing.

Frush said she is not sure if she will try again next year.

County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D), who attended a meeting with Hillandale residents March 2, declined requests for comment.

Council members have announced no plans to change the law to allow residents to remove accused lawmakers.

According to county law, a majority of council members can vote to remove Prince George's lawmakers if they mentally or physically unable to perform their duties.

When asked for comment about the failed recall law, Council Chairwoman Ingrid Turner (D-Dist. 4) of Bowie would only quote the county's current rules for removal.

Staff Writer Elizabeth Skalski contributed to this story.

dvalentine@gazette.net