Preparation for the 2021 session has been underway for many months. The Senate and House leadership have prepared as well as possible to conduct the State’s business. Posting of all legislative information will be digital and has already begun. There will be a bit of a learning curve for everyone as this “never before seen” effort begins. The senate chamber has been outfitted with acrylic barriers and the house will utilize a portion of the house chamber and space converted in the House Office Building to enable social distancing.
Vigilance will be required to be certain one’s voice is heard. Operational Plans differ somewhat for the Senate and House. Bills hearings will be virtual and may be scheduled with 48-hour notice. Virtual witnesses will be limited by number and time limits. Digital submission of testimony is welcomed and encouraged through the Maryland General Assembly website. Digital testimony is not limited and will be available for public review. Voting sessions will be livestreamed through the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) website.
Bill request deadline was January 19th and the bill submission due date is February 5th. The House has announced the following hearing schedule:
Mondays 1:30pm – 5:30pm
Tuesdays through Thursdays 11am – 12:30pm; 1:30pm – 5:30pm; 6:30pm– 8:30pm
Fridays 11am – 12:30pm; 1:30pm – 5:30pm.
Senate bill hearings and briefings will be held virtually via Zoom and streamed live on YouTube.
Bill hearings generally will begin no earlier than 11:00 AM as determined by the Chair of the Committee. On days when floor sessions are conducted, committees will schedule bill hearings based on the floor session schedule and number of bills assigned to the committee.
All scheduled bill hearings will be posted in the MGA hearing schedule along with the Live link to go directly to the meeting. The bill order will be posted in the MGA hearing schedule the morning of the scheduled bill hearing.
It is very likely the Senate will not convene daily, for the first third of the session. Chamber floor sessions will be limited to two hours at a time. No public entry.
The leaders of both houses have indicated that the budget, issues related to Maryland Environmental Services (MES), police reform and sports betting are high on their agendas.
While the 2020 legislative session was most unusual, the 2021 session will certainly prove to be even more so.
Image credits
Sandi Worthman
