2001 Regular Session sponsor information current as of December 5, 2001 - 11:07 p.m.

Sponsor Information	Senator John C. Astle District 30	Another Session	Short Format
		Unavailable

SB 31	Status as of April 9, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Appropriations
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Anne Arundel County - Annapolis Maritime Museum
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 94	Status as of April 9, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Appropriations
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Anne Arundel County - Galesville Heritage Society Museum
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 170	Status as of March 12, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senators Astle, Bromwell, Collins, DeGrange, Dorman, Green, Hooper, Jimeno, Lawlah, Middleton, Neall, Sfikas, and Teitelbaum
Entitled	Maryland Water Trails Development Program
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 183	Status as of March 7, 2001: Bill is in the House - First Reading Commerce and Government Matters
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Historic Motor Vehicles - Safety Equipment Repair Orders
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Commerce and Government Matters

SB 285	Status as of February 19, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Finance
Sponsored By	Senators Astle, Dorman, Roesser, and Teitelbaum
Entitled	Claims for Reimbursement of Health Care Services Rendered - Interest on Unpaid Claims
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 286	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities - Home Detention and Farm Labor Programs
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Judiciary

SB 325	Status as of March 5, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Unemployment Insurance - Quarterly Wage Reports - Electronic Access for Credit Reporting
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 339	Status as of April 9, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Appropriations
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Anne Arundel County - The Salvation Army Centennial Wing
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 340	Status as of February 26, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Premium Finance Agreements - Delinquency and Collection Charge - Cancellation Charge
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 377	Status as of April 20, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 147
Sponsored By	Senator Astle (Co-Chairman, Task Force to Study the Modernization of Credit Union Law) and Senator Hafer
Entitled	Financial Institutions - Credit Union Law Modernization and Other Credit Union Law Reforms
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Commerce and Government Matters

SB 390	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 383
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	City of Annapolis - Alcoholic Beverages - Wine Festival License
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs House: Economic Matters

SB 391	Status as of March 28, 2001: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Racing - Horsemen - Standardbred and Thoroughbred Assistance Funds
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance and Judicial Proceedings House: Ways and Means

SB 494	Status as of March 6, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Judicial Proceedings
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Vehicle Laws - Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles - Operating Restrictions
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings

SB 503	Status as of March 6, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Anne Arundel County - Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 504	Status as of February 26, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Anne Arundel County - Sales and Use Tax - Rental Car Tax
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 505	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senators Astle and Miller
Entitled	Task Force on Enhanced Wireless 911 Service
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Commerce and Government Matters

SB 695	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Financial Guaranty Insurance Companies - Definition and Home Office Requirement
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 696	Status as of February 21, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Anne Arundel County - Broadneck Recreational Complex
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 697	Status as of March 12, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Judicial Proceedings
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Drug Crimes Committed in the City of Annapolis - Mandated Drug Treatment or Education Program for Convicted Persons
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings

SB 698	Status as of March 23, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Service Contracts
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 700	Status as of March 19, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Finance
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Financial Guaranty Insurance Companies and Financial Guaranty Reinsurance Companies - Location of Assets
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 725	Status as of March 13, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Check Cashing Services - Transaction Fees
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 726	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 422
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Anne Arundel County - Arundel Lodge
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 727	Status as of April 9, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Appropriations
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Anne Arundel County - Camp Wabanna
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 728	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 423
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Health Maintenance Organizations - Reimbursement of Noncontracting Providers for Services Rendered to Trauma Patients at Designated Trauma Centers
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 797	Status as of May 18, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 625
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Property and Casualty Insurers - Geographic Distribution of Private Passenger and Residential Property Premium - Major Insurer-Definition
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 837	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 434
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Insurance - Insurer Insolvencies - Claims Priority
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 870	Status as of April 20, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 176
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Anne Arundel County - Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts Loan of 1999
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 877	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senator Astle
Entitled	Workers' Compensation - Credit Against Payment of Permanent Partial Disability Awards After Appeal
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 33	Status as of March 29, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Environmental Matters
Sponsored By	Senators Hollinger, Astle, Blount, Collins, DeGrange, Dorman, Forehand, Frosh, Green, Haines, Harris, Hoffman, Pinsky, Ruben, Sfikas, Stone, Teitelbaum, Exum, Dyson, and Van Hollen
Entitled	Practice of Dentistry - Definition
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs House: Environmental Matters

SB 34	Status as of April 3, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Environmental Matters
Sponsored By	Senators Hollinger, Astle, Blount, Collins, DeGrange, Della, Dorman, Forehand, Frosh, Green, Haines, Harris, Hoffman, Pinsky, Ruben, Sfikas, Stone, Exum, Teitelbaum, Dyson, and Van Hollen
Entitled	Practice of Medicine - Definition
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs House: Environmental Matters and Economic Matters

SB 124	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Policy
Sponsored By	Senators Hoffman, Astle, Blount, Collins, Dorman, Green, Hafer, Hollinger, Kelley, Lawlah, Ruben, Sfikas, Teitelbaum, and Van Hollen
Entitled	Education - Public Schools - Firearms Safety and Accident Prevention Education Program
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs House: Ways and Means

SB 144	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 359
Sponsored By	Senators Hollinger, Bromwell, Hoffman, Collins, Middleton, Forehand, Teitelbaum, Astle, and Green
Entitled	Department of Aging - Assisted Living Programs - Subsidies
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Appropriations

SB 145	Status as of February 19, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senators Hollinger, Frosh, Collins, Middleton, Teitelbaum, Hoffman, Bromwell, Forehand, and Astle
Entitled	Medical Assistance Program - Eligibility of Noninstitutionalized Spouses - Allowances
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 171	Status as of March 7, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Referred to interim study
Sponsored By	Senators Kelley, Astle, Blount, Colburn, Collins, Conway, Della, Ferguson, Forehand, Hoffman, Hogan, Hollinger, Hughes, Lawlah, Madden, McFadden, Middleton, Mitchell, Mooney, Neall, Pinsky, Ruben, Sfikas, Stone, and Van Hollen
Entitled	Education - Children in Out-of-County Living Arrangements - Kinship Care
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs

SB 197	Status as of February 27, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Second Reading Failed
Sponsored By	Senators Hafer, Astle, Colburn, Stoltzfus, Della, Exum, and Mitchell
Entitled	Vehicle Laws - Motorcycle Helmets - Minors
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings

SB 198	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senators DeGrange, Astle, Blount, Bromwell, Dorman, Haines, Kelley, and Teitelbaum
Entitled	Insurance - Late Fees and Installment Fees
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 236	Status as of April 20, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 134
Sponsored By	Senators Miller, Bromwell, Sfikas, Astle, Blount, Colburn, Collins, Currie, DeGrange, Della, Dorman, Exum, Frosh, Green, Hafer, Hoffman, Hogan, Hollinger, Hooper, Jimeno, Kasemeyer, Kelley, Lawlah, Madden, McFadden, Middleton, Munson, Neall, Roesser, Ruben, Stoltzfus, Stone, Teitelbaum, and Forehand
Entitled	Senior Prescription Drug Relief Act
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance and Budget and Taxation House: Economic Matters and Environmental Matters

SB 276	Status as of May 18, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 589
Sponsored By	Senators DeGrange, Astle, Bromwell, Jimeno, Kasemeyer, Miller, and Neall
Entitled	Department of Transportation - Citizens Committee for the Enhancement of Communities Surrounding Baltimore-Washington International Airport
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance and Budget and Taxation House: Commerce and Government Matters

SB 281	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 368
Sponsored By	Senators Hollinger, Astle, Bromwell, Collins, DeGrange, Exum, Kasemeyer, Kelley, Teitelbaum, Blount, Conway, Dyson, Frosh, Harris, Jacobs, McCabe, Pinsky, and Stone
Entitled	State Department of Education - Hearing Aid Loan Bank Program - Establishment and Operation
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs and Budget and Taxation House: Environmental Matters

SB 295	Status as of April 9, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Economic Matters
Sponsored By	Senators Teitelbaum, Astle, Bromwell, Collins, DeGrange, Dorman, Exum, Hafer, Kelley, and Sfikas
Entitled	Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance - Coverage for Replacement Parts
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 352	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 376
Sponsored By	Senators Jimeno, Astle, Colburn, Collins, DeGrange, Forehand, Haines, Miller, and Neall
Entitled	Vehicle Laws - Titling and Registration - Time Period Extensions
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Commerce and Government Matters

SB 363	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Duplicative
Sponsored By	Senators Currie, Teitelbaum, Astle, Bromwell, Conway, DeGrange, Dorman, Exum, Frosh, Hogan, and Kelley
Entitled	Electronic Transactions Protection Act
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 365	Status as of February 14, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Lawlah, Astle, Conway, Currie, DeGrange, Hafer, Hollinger, Jacobs, McFadden, Mitchell, Mooney, and Munson
Entitled	Sales and Use Tax - Exemption for Bottled Water
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 378	Status as of February 13, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Finance
Sponsored By	Senators Kelley, Astle, Blount, Collins, Conway, Currie, Della, Dorman, Exum, Forehand, Green, Hughes, Jimeno, Lawlah, McFadden, Mitchell, Pinsky, Ruben, Sfikas, and Stone
Entitled	Education - Negotiations
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 397	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senator Teitelbaum (Chairman, Joint Technology Oversight Committee) and Senators Astle, Currie, DeGrange, Exum, and Hogan
Entitled	Maryland Uniform Electronic Transactions Act - Scope
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 398	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 384
Sponsored By	Senator Teitelbaum (Chairman, Joint Technology Oversight Committee) and Senators Astle, Currie, DeGrange, Exum, and Hogan
Entitled	Maryland Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act - Implied Warranty Exemption
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 407	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senators Ferguson, Bromwell, Currie, DeGrange, Green, Hogan, Hooper, Jacobs, Madden, Mitchell, Mooney, Roesser, Ruben, Stone, Astle, Della, Dorman, Exum, Hafer, Kelley, and Teitelbaum
Entitled	Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Environmental Matters

SB 419	Status as of March 19, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Economic and Environmental Affairs
Sponsored By	Senators Frosh, Astle, Currie, Dyson, Harris, Pinsky, and Van Hollen
Entitled	Ethics - Gifts of Food or Beverages at Meetings of Legislative Organizations
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs

SB 420	Status as of April 5, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Senate Conference Committee Appointed
Sponsored By	Senators Frosh, Astle, Currie, Exum, Forehand, Green, Pinsky, Ruben, and Van Hollen
Entitled	Transportation - Maryland Pedestrian Safety Program
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Commerce and Government Matters

SB 436	Status as of March 5, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senators Pinsky, Astle, Collins, Conway, Hollinger, Kelley, Sfikas, and Teitelbaum
Entitled	Nursing Facilities - Rules for Establishment of a Family Council - Violations and Penalties
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 446	Status as of February 14, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Economic and Environmental Affairs
Sponsored By	Senators Jacobs, Astle, Colburn, Dyson, Ferguson, Hafer, Haines, Harris, Hooper, Lawlah, Munson, Sfikas, Stoltzfus, and Stone
Entitled	Education - Public Schools - Firearms Safety and Accident Avoidance Program
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs

SB 459	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senators Middleton, Hoffman, Astle, and Currie
Entitled	Income Tax - Credit for Preservation and Conservation Easements
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means

SB 475	Status as of April 2, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Judiciary
Sponsored By	Senators Jimeno, Astle, Bromwell, Colburn, Collins, Currie, DeGrange, Della, Dorman, Ferguson, Forehand, Green, Hafer, Haines, Harris, Hoffman, Hogan, Hollinger, Hooper, Jacobs, Kasemeyer, Lawlah, Madden, Middleton, Mooney, Munson, Neall, Roesser, Ruben, Sfikas, Stoltzfus, Stone, Teitelbaum, and Van Hollen
Entitled	Firearms Offenses - Project Exile
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Judiciary

SB 485	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senators Jimeno, Astle, Colburn, Collins, DeGrange, Miller, Neall, Forehand, and Ferguson
Entitled	Vehicle Laws - Manufacturers, Distributors, and Factory Branches - Good Faith Dealings
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Commerce and Government Matters

SB 486	Status as of April 20, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 338
Sponsored By	Senators Jimeno, Astle, DeGrange, and Neall
Entitled	Maryland Economic Development Corporation
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Economic Matters

SB 522	Status as of May 18, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 736
Sponsored By	Senators Hoffman , Hollinger, Bromwell, Dorman, Astle, DeGrange, Della, Exum, Hafer, Hooper, Kelley, Roesser, and Teitelbaum
Entitled	Health Insurance - Treatment of Morbid Obesity
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 525	Status as of April 2, 2001: Bill is in the House - Unfavorable Judiciary
Sponsored By	Senators Jimeno, Astle, Forehand, Green, Lawlah, Middleton, Ruben, Conway, Currie, DeGrange, Harris, Hoffman, Hogan, Hooper, Kelley, Teitelbaum, Colburn, Ferguson, and Mooney
Entitled	Vehicle Laws - Drunk Driving - Repeat Offenders
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Judiciary

SB 536	Status as of March 23, 2001: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary
Sponsored By	Senator Collins (Baltimore County Administration) and Senator Astle (Anne Arundel County Administration)
Entitled	Baltimore County Revenue Authority and Anne Arundel County Tipton Airport Authority - Local Government Tort Claims Act - Immunity
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Judiciary

SB 601	Status as of March 13, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senators Blount, Astle, and Currie
Entitled	Deferred Presentment Services - Licensing - Fees
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 615	Status as of May 17, 2001: Vetoed by the Governor - Cross-filed bill was signed
Sponsored By	Senators Hollinger, Collins, Conway, Dorman, Exum, Ferguson, Haines, Kelley, Lawlah, Pinsky, Teitelbaum, Bromwell, Astle, DeGrange, Della, Hafer, Hooper, and Roesser
Entitled	Health Insurance - Hearing Aids - Coverage for Children
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 652	Status as of May 18, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 615
Sponsored By	Senators Roesser and Astle
Entitled	Controlled Dangerous Substance Testing for Job Applicants - Preliminary Screenings
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 687	Status as of May 18, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 616
Sponsored By	Senators Dorman, Astle, DeGrange, Exum, Hafer, Mitchell, and Ruben
Entitled	Business Regulation - Motor Fuel - Below Cost Sales
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 714	Status as of February 7, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Van Hollen, Astle, Currie, DeGrange, Dyson, Exum, Forehand, Frosh, Green, Hogan, Hollinger, Hughes, Jimeno, Kasemeyer, Kelley, Lawlah, Madden, McFadden, Middleton, Mitchell, Munson, Roesser, Ruben, Sfikas, and Stone
Entitled	Maryland After-School Opportunity Act - Appropriation - Requirements
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 793	Status as of February 21, 2001: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Senate Rules
Sponsored By	Senators Hafer, Astle, Bromwell, Colburn, Currie, Exum, Hooper, Madden, Mooney, Munson, Neall, and Stoltzfus
Entitled	Income Tax - Length of Service Award Program Payments - Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Auxiliary Members
Committee Assignments	Senate: Senate Rules

SB 830	Status as of May 18, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 627
Sponsored By	Senators Frosh, Astle, Blount, Bromwell, Collins, Currie, Dyson, Green, Hollinger, Pinsky, Sfikas, Stone, Van Hollen, Conway, Harris, and Jacobs
Entitled	Environment - Dredged Material Management
Committee Assignments	Senate: Economic and Environmental Affairs House: Environmental Matters

SB 831	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 433
Sponsored By	Senators Bromwell, Dorman, Astle, DeGrange, Della, Exum, Hafer, Hooper, Rosser, Teitelbaum, and Kelley
Entitled	Universal Service Program Fund - Retention
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Environmental Matters

SB 850	Status as of May 15, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 436
Sponsored By	Senators Hafer, Astle, Bromwell, Currie, DeGrange, Exum, Hooper, Madden, Mooney, Munson, Neall, Stoltzfus, Hoffman, Van Hollen, Hogan, Kasemeyer, Lawlah, McFadden, Middleton, and Ruben
Entitled	Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Volunteer Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services Personnel - Ladies' Auxiliary
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means

SB 882	Status as of May 18, 2001: Became Law - Chapter 630
Sponsored By	Senators Della, Astle, Bromwell, DeGrange, Dorman, Exum, Hafer, Hooper, Kelley, and Teitelbaum
Entitled	Unsecured Closed End Credit Regulation - Credit Services Businesses - Study Commission
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Commerce and Government Matters