How a Bill Becomes Law in Maryland Committee Review
As the 441st session of the General Assem-
bly begins in Annapolis on January 8, running ‘til April 6, many readers might be wondering... How does a bill become law? Te legislative pro- cess can be a seemingly complicated one but nev- er fear! Here is a brief synopsis of how a bill be- comes law in Maryland. To learn more about the legislative process and how you can get involved, be sure to attend the Maryland Horse Council’s 2020 Equine Grassroots Legislative Workshop on January 4. Details are in the box out!
Drafting a Bill Ideas for bills can come from many sources
such as, but not limited to, the Governor, govern- ment agencies, legislative committees, lobbyists, professional associations, and you, the people. A legislator must sponsor each bill. Te Depart- ment of Legislative Services drafts the majority of bills to meet constitutional standards, how- ever during the interim between sessions, legis- lators meet in committees, task forces and other small groups to formulate bill proposals.
Introducing a Bill According to the Maryland General Assembly
website, in recent years an average of 1,045 bills are introduced each year in the Senate and 1,461 bills are introduced in the House of Delegates. Due to this large volume, not all bills get through the full legislative process during the 90-day ses- sion so legislators try to introduce their bills as soon as possible once the session starts. Once the bill is officially drafted, the bill’s
sponsor files it with the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Clerk of the House of Delegates. Te bill is numbered, stamped for approval and codification by the Department of Legislative Services and is printed for its first reading. Sen- ate bills are printed on white paper and House bills are printed on blue paper. Before any bill can become law, it must be read on three differ- ent days in each legislative chamber for a total of six readings.
After the first reading of the bill in the cham- ber in which it has been introduced, the bill is assigned to a standing committee for review. Code State Government Article, sec. 2-101(f) defines standing committees as “those com- mittees set forth in the Rules of the Senate or the Rules of the House of Delegates.” At the beginning of each session, the Senate Presi- dent and House Speaker name the chairs, vice- chairs and members of each standing commit- tee. Tere are four standing committees in the Senate and six in the House that are dedicated to reviewing bills. Committees hold public hearings for each bill so that those who support and oppose the bill may testify. Te Department of Legislative Ser- vices issues a weekly hearing schedule to alert the public of the schedule. At these hearings, testimony is usually heard from the bill’s spon- sor and other legislators as well as the general public and statewide special interest groups. Te committees also look at the prepared fis-
cal and policy analysis for each bill, provided by the Department of Legislative Services. Tat Department also provides an economic analysis and rating for each bill to gauge a bill’s eco- nomic impact on small businesses. Te committee may make amendments to the
bill before a vote occurs. Having been “voted out of committee,” the bill then returns to the floor of the chamber of origin along with the report of the committee.
Second and Third Readings
After the committee amendments are reviewed, the bill is then open to amendments from the floor. At this time, a committee action may be re- versed, although this does not happen often. Te second reading is considered complete when the presiding officer orders the bill, with any adopted amendments, printed for the third reading. During the third reading of the bill, no amendments may be presented. A recorded vote is taken to pass or reject the bill. To pass,
the bill must receive a majority vote from the elected membership.
The Second Chamber If a bill is successful in its chamber of ori-
gin and is passed, it then moves into the op- posite chamber and the process is repeated. A first reading, assignment to a committee, sec- ond and third readings… One exception to the process at this stage is that amendments may be proposed during both the second and third readings of the bill. If a bill is amended in the second chamber,
it is returned to the chamber of origin so that chamber may consider the amendments. If the chamber accepts the amendments, then the bill is voted on again and the action is complete. If the amendments are rejected, the amending chamber may be asked to withdraw its amend- ments. If it refuses, either chamber may request that a conference committee be appointed to resolve the differences. Once the bill passes the second chamber, it is prepared for the Governor.
Governor Approval or Veto A bill becomes law only when signed by the
Governor or when passed over the Governor’s veto by three-fifths of the membership in each chamber. According to the Constitution of Maryland, laws take effect on June 1 after the session in which it was passed, unless a differ- ent date is specified in the bill. Tese days, most bills specify October 1, to coincide with the fis- cal year, unless it is an “emergency bill,” which takes effect as soon as it is signed. Te Governor may veto a bill within thirty
days after presentation. If this happens, the General Assembly immediately considers the Governor’s veto message. Te General Assem- bly can override this veto by a three-fifths vote in each chamber; however, they may not over- ride a veto during the first year of a new legisla- tive term since the bill would have been passed by the previous legislature.
Learn How You Can Make a Difference January 4, 2020 • 10:00 am - 3:00 pm • Maryland Farm Bureau Headquarters
Join us for an educational workshop on how to make your voice heard with public officials. This will also be great preparation for the 2020 Horse Industry Day in Annapolis!
Session 1: How the process works, Part One: The Nuts and Bolts of State and Local Government Session 2: How the process works, Part Two: From Bill Introduction to Passage at the State level Session 3: Follow the money!! If a bill will cost money, where will the money come from? Working Lunch: Big changes in Annapolis leadership - what do they mean? Session 4: Effective Advocacy at the grassroots level - tools and techniques
**IMPORTANT: Limited to 55 attendees** - R.S.V.P. Today! Details -
https://qrs.ly/dqaxqn6 www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 JANUARY 2020 | THE EQUIERY | 15
MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL
2020 EQUINE GRASSROOTS LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP Hosted By
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