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Annapolis Handbook: How a Bill Becomes a Law in Baltimore City's Legislative Office

This handbook provides basic information on the legislative process in Baltimore City's Legislative Office, specifically focusing on the Maryland General Assembly and how a bill becomes a law. It covers the different stages in the legislative process, such as first reading, committee consideration, second reading, third reading, consideration in the opposite house, conference committee, and the governor's veto power.

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Annapolis Handbook: How a Bill Becomes a Law in Baltimore City's Legislative Office

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  1. Annapolis Handbook Series Baltimore City’s Legislative Office Maryland General AssemblyThe Legislative Process …otherwise known as How a Bill Becomes a Law

  2. MGA Basic Information • The Maryland General Assembly meets in Annapolis each year for 90 days to act on more than 2300 bills including the State's annual budget. • The General Assembly has 47 Senators and 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. • MGA lasts for 90 days continuously. There are no holidays during session. • The last day of session is called “Sine Die”. All bills die at midnight on the last day. • The floor session on Monday night typically begins at 8:00 pm. Legislators often take the time to hold meetings before this. • The floor session Tuesday through Thursday typically begins at 10:00 am. • The floor session on Friday typically begins at 11:00 am. • Committee hearings typically begin around 1:00 pm. However, this is subject to change. Meeting times are found on the website and announced during the floor session. • House delegations often meet on Friday mornings before the floor session. MOGR staff is expected to attend Baltimore City’s delegation meeting. The meeting times are announced during the prior days floor session. • Senate delegation sometimes meets on Thursday afternoon.

  3. Joint Committees (by statute) Special Committees (appointed by President and/or Speaker and function from year to year) Staff Support (Department of Legislative Services)

  4. Legislative Process Illustrated House of Origin Opposite House First Reading First Reading Consideration in House of Origin (if not amended in opposite house) Referral to Committee Referral to Committee Conference Committee (Only When Necessary) Second Reading Second Reading To Governor Third Reading Third Reading

  5. Three Readings Required “A bill may not become a law until it is read on three different days of the session in each house, unless two-thirds of the members elected to the House [determine otherwise]…” - Md. Const., Art. III, Sec. 27 (see also, Rule 24, House/Senate Rules)

  6. First Reading • The “reading clerk” announces • Bill Number • Sponsor • Short Title • Committee Assignment

  7. Model First Reader Bill

  8. Committee Considerationin House of Origin • Public Hearing • Bills are generally assigned for hearings to one of four committees in the Senate or one of six committees in the House, based on subject matter • Department of Legislative Services (DLS) will prepare a fiscal and policy note for each bill (more specifics on this process later) • Committee work/voting sessions • After a bill is heard, it may be assigned to a subcommittee or workgroup for a work session • Voting session procedures vary by committee, but the chairman always decides which bills will be considered • Committee Action • Favorable • Favorable with amendments • Unfavorable • Some bills do not receive committee votes

  9. Second Reading • Bill number and short title are read • Committee action is explained • Committee amendments are considered • Floor amendments may be offered and considered • If passed, bill reprinted for Third Reading The committee may release a “committee reprint” on the floor, but usually this is not available to the public. Sometimes there will be exceptions for heavily amended bills (or the budget bill). However, these are not “official” reprints that you would find on the MGA website.

  10. Third Reading • Vote on final passage in house of origin • May NOT be amended on Third Reading in house of origin

  11. Consideration in Opposite House • “Third Reading File Bill” (Third Reader) is considered in the second chamber • Same process as in house of origin: • First Reading • Committee Consideration • Second Reading • Third Reading (can be amended)

  12. If Bill Amended in Second Chamber • Bill sent back to house of origin for concurrence • Possible request to recede • Possible Conference Committee?

  13. Conference Committee • Members appointed by Presiding Officers/Committee Chairman • Usually consists of three members from each chamber • May accept, reject, or amend the opposite house amendments • May propose new amendments

  14. Consideration of Conference Committee Report • Report and amendments printed and distributed • Conference Committee action explained on floor • Yeas and Nays on report • Conference Committee Report may NOT be amended • Bill may be sent back to conference

  15. Model Enrolled Bill

  16. Model Enrolled Bill continued…body of bill

  17. Model Enrolled bill Final page of bill

  18. Governor’s Veto Power • Governor’s signature required for bill to become law, except for Budget Bill and Constitutional Amendments • MGA can override Governor’s Veto

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