2012 Maryland House Bill Hearing Action Pack

8/3/2019 2012 Maryland House Bill Hearing Action Pack

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2012-maryland-house-bill-hearing-action-pack 1/27

ASSOCIATED GUN CLUBS OF BALTIMORE, INC.

PATAPSCO RANGES

LEGISLATIVE OFFICE

P.O. BOX 20102 ! TOWSON, MD 21284-0102 ! 410-296-3947WWW.ASSOCIATEDGUNCLUBS.ORG ! E-MAIL: [email protected]

UPDATED: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 - 8:32 AM

“HOUSE GUN BILL DAY”

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

1:00 PMHouse Judiciary Committee

HEARING ACTION PACK

Contents:

• Information on Bills & Action Plan

• House Committee List

• Committee Seating Chart

• Hearing Schedule for all 2012 Session Gun Bills

• General Assembly Contact Information & Ratings

• General Assembly Email Addresses

• Floor Plans with committee member’s rooms noted

• Parking & Transportation Information

• Security in the Legislative Complex

• Attending a Committee Hearing

Original Release 2011 House Bill Hearing Action Pack Cover Page.docx



ASSOCIATED GUN CLUBS OF BALTIMORE, INC. PATAPSCO RANGES

LEGISLATIVE OFFICE


UPDATED: Monday, February 06, 2012

“HOUSE GUN BILL DAY” HEARING INFORMATION& ACTION PLAN

TUESDAY – FEBRUARY 21, 2012 - 1:00 P.M.

NOTICE: ONLY THOSE BILLS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR A HEARING ON TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 21, 2012 ARE LISTED BELOW – THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL GUN BILLS

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Anyone wishing to testify on any bill must sign the witness register before the hearings begin. If you have written

testimony, please submit 35 copies to the committee clerk for distribution at least 60 minutes before the bill hearings

begin. The order that bills are listed on the schedule is not the order in which they will be heard.

SUPPORT:

HB 45 Handgun Permits - Qualifications - Presumption and Burden of Proof

SUPPORT

Repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police base a finding that an applicant for ahandgun permit has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun on an

investigation; establishing a presumption that an applicant for a handgun permit has a good and

substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun for the purposes of qualifying for a handgun

permit; and establishing that the Secretary has the burden of specified proof.

HB 256 Regulated Firearms - License Issued by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or

West Virginia – Reciprocity SUPPORT Specifying that a license to carry a regulated firearm, including a concealed regulated firearm, issued to

an individual by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia is valid in Maryland.

HB 430 Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Repeal of Finding Requirement

(Better Maryland - Right of Self Defense) SUPPORTRepealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good and

substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit to the person.

HB 488 Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Repeal of Finding Requirements

SUPPORTRepealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good and

substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit to the person.



“HOUSE GUN BILL DAY” HEARING SCHEDULE

HEARING DATE: TUESDAY – FEBRUARY 21, 2012 - 1:00 P.M.

NOTICE: ONLY THOSE BILLS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR A HEARING ON TUESDAY,

FEBRUARY 21, 2012 ARE LISTED BELOW – THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL GUN BILLS

OPPOSE AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN:

HB 300 Public Safety- Handgun Permits - Renewal Period for Retired Law EnforcementEstablishing that a handgun permit issued to a retired law enforcement officer of the State or a county

or municipal corporation of the State expires on the last day of the holder's birth month following 5

years after the date the permit is issued and may be renewed for successive periods of 5 years each if,

at the time of an application for renewal, the applicant possesses the qualifications for the issuance of a

permit. OPPOSE AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN

NOTE: HB 300 is its present form benefits only law enforcement and excludes private citizens. It is not abill that we can support because it creates a caste system which denies equal protection under the law.

While we support law enforcement, we cannot support HB 300 as written.

However, if an amendment to include all citizens is offered, we will reconsider our position on HB 300based upon the acceptance, and inclusion of the amendment in the final language of the bill.

NO POSITON:

HB 379 Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Citations Issued by Inspectors

HB 396 Public Safety - Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal - Deceased OfficersAuthorizing a law enforcement agency to transfer the handgun of a law enforcement officer who is

killed or dies in the performance of duty to specified members of the deceased officer's family or to thedeceased officer's estate; and authorizing a law enforcement agency to render the handgun of a

deceased officer inoperable before transfer.

GUN BILL DAY ACTION PLAN

• Review the bills listed above. A complete bill listing of all gun related bills with

hyperlinks to the actual bill text is included below.

• In Annapolis: Plan to arrive early and visit the offices of each committee member. See

the committee lists and floor plans included below. • Send letters to the committee members

• Make phone calls to the committee members

• Send emails to ALL of the House Committee members: Click here to send emails

NOTE: All House Judiciary Committee hearings are now broadcast live on audio and video. Testimony is

archived as a public record on the Maryland Legislative Information Services website.

Come prepared for a very long day in Committee.

Hearing Information 02-05-2012.docx

http://actionmail.ksconline.net/index.php?id=20





Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore, Inc.

Legislative Office P.O. Box 20102 Towson, MD 21284-0102

410-296-3947 [email protected]

2012 Session - Bill Hearing Schedule

2012_Gun_Bills_and_Hearing_Schedules.xls 1 of 3 UPDATED: 2/7/2012 @ 8:30 AM

Bill # Hearing/Status Commmittee Position Bill Title Cross

HB 45 21-Feb House JUD Support Handgun Permits - Qualifications - Presumption and Burden of Proof n/

HB 208 none scheduled House W&M no position Baltimore City Public School System - Governance n/

HB 209 hearing cancelled House JUD Oppose * Public Safety - Possession of Firearms - Crimes Committed in Other States SB

HB 256 21-Feb House JUD Support Regulated Firearms - License Issued by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West VA - Reciprocity n/

HB 300 21-Feb House JUD Oppose * Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Renewal Period for Retired Law Enforcement n/

HB 379 21-Feb House JUD no position Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Citations Issued by Inspectors SB

HB 396 21-Feb House JUD no position Public Safety - Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal - Deceased Officers SB

HB 430 21-Feb House JUD Support Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Repeal of Finding Requirement n/

HB 488 21-Feb House JUD Support Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Repeal of Finding Requirements n/

HB 527 15-Feb House JUD Support Courts - Bankruptcy - Arms n/

HB 579 none schedule House JUD under review Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Exemption from Training Course SB

HB 209 Oppose * AGC believes this bill should be delayed pending the outcome of a summer study to properly assess

the potential impact of this very complex legislation

HB 300 Oppose * While we have and always will support law enforcement, aft er careful review and consultation with the other major gun rights organizationsMaryland, this Association has determined that it cannot, and will not support HB 300 as currently written. HB 300 in its present form benef

only on a very small and specific special interest group (law enforcement) and excludes private citizens entirely. In so doing, HB 300 creat

caste system that denies equal protection under the law. HB 300 reduces our ability to pass meaningful reforms in Maryland’s concealed

handgun carry permit laws by reducing the number of citizens who will support these necessary reforms. Should an amendment to include

citizens be offered and accepted by the Judiciary Committee, we will certainly reconsider our position on HB 300.We have already commu

our position to Delegate Cluster. We have also offered our assistance in regard to crafting an amendment to HB 300 which would expand

scope of this bill to include all concealed carry permits and permit holders.

House Gun Related Bills

Hyperlinks: Click Bill # for current status, Committee for Committee information, and Bill Title for the actual text of the bill

http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/billfile/HB0045.htm

http://www.associatedgunclubs.org/legislative/2012_session/2012_House_Judiciary_Committee.pdf

http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/hb/hb0045f.pdf






http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/billfile/sb0640.htm














http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/billfile/SB0514.htm




























































SB 64 2-Feb Senate JPR Support Public Safety - Machine Gun Registration - Notice to Renew n/

SB 439 none Senate EHEA no position Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Citations Issued by Inspectors HB

SB 512 none Senate JPR Oppose Regulated Firearms-Database-Applications for Dealer's License-Record Keeping & Reporting Req. n/

SB 514 none Senate JPR no position Public Safety - Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal - Deceased Officers HB

SB 588 none Senate EHEA Support Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for Protection n/

SB 640 none Senate JPR Oppose * Public Safety - Possession of Firearms - Crimes Committed in Other States HB

SB 803 none scheduled Senate JPR under review Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Exemption from Training Course HB

SB 640 Oppose * AGC believes this bill should be delayed pending the outcome of a summer study to properly assess

the potential impact of this very complex legislation

Senate Gun Related Bills


http://www.associatedgunclubs.org/legislative/2012_session/2012_Senate_Judicial_Committee.pdf

http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/sb/sb0064f.pdf












http://www.associatedgunclubs.org/legislative/2012_session/2012_Senate_Education_Health_Environmental_%20Affairs_Committee.pdf






































HB 129 22-Feb House ENV Support Caroline County - Deer Hunting on Private Property - Sundays SB

HB 134 15-Feb House ENV no position Carroll County - Archery Hunting - Safety Zone SB

HB 144 8-Feb House ENV Support Dorchester County - Turkey Hunting on Private Property - Sundays SB

HB 321 15-Feb House ENV Support Harford County - Deer Hunting on Private Property - Sundays SB

SB 105 Favorable EHEA Senate EHEA Support Dorchester County - Turkey Hunting on Private Property - Sundays HB

SB 346 21-Feb Senate EHEA Support Harford County - Deer Hunting on Private Property - Sundays HB

SB 390 21-Feb Senate EHEA Support Caroline County - Deer Hunting on Private Property - Sundays HB

SB 588 none Senate EHEA Support Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for Protection n/

SB 662 none Senate EHEA no position Carroll County - Archery Hunting - Safety Zone HB

Hyperlinks: Click Bill # for current status, Committee for Committee information, and Bill Title for the actual text of the bill

Hunting Related Bills


http://www.associatedgunclubs.org/legislative/2012_session/2012_House_Environmental_Matters_Committee.pdf




































































LEGISLATIVE OFFICE


Last Update: Tuesday, February 07, 2012

2012 Session Gun Bill Information & AGC Positions

NOTE: Underlined text in bill numbers and descriptions hyperlink to additional information and bill text.

SUPPORT:

HB 45 Handgun Permits - Qualifications - Presumption and Burden of Proof

SUPPORT – Hearing: 02-21-2012Repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police base a finding that an applicant for ahandgun permit has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun on aninvestigation; establishing a presumption that an applicant for a handgun permit has a good andsubstantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun for the purposes of qualifying for a handgunpermit; and establishing that the Secretary has the burden of specified proof.

HB 256 Regulated Firearms - License Issued by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or WestVirginia – Reciprocity SUPPORT – Hearing: 02-21-2012Specifying that a license to carry a regulated firearm, including a concealed regulated firearm, issued toan individual by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia is valid in Maryland.

HB 430 Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Repeal of Finding Requirement

(Better Maryland - Right of Self Defense) SUPPORT – Hearing: 02-21-2012Repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good andsubstantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit to the person.

HB 488 Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Repeal of Finding Requirements SUPPORT – Hearing: 02-21-2012Repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good andsubstantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit to the person.

HB 527 Courts – Bankruptcy - Arms SUPPORT – Hearing: 02-15-2012Authorizing a person to claim an exemption in specified bankruptcy proceedings for arms in anamount not to exceed $2,000 in value; and applying the Act prospectively.

SB 64 Public Safety - Machine Gun Registration - Notice to Renew SUPPORT – Heard: 02-02-2012Requiring the Secretary of State Police, on or before March 15 in each year succeeding the registrationof a machine gun, to notify the registrant in writing of the requirement to renew the registration.

Note: The bill sponsor has offered an AGC supplied amendment to require that the Secretary of StatePolice provide a stamped copy of registration form to the registrant as proof of registration.









































SUPPORT: (continued)

SB 588 Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for ProtectionSUPPORT – Hearing: none scheduledProhibiting the Department of Natural Resources from restricting licensed bow hunters who are at least21 years old from carrying a handgun for personal protection.

OPPOSE:

HB 209 Public Safety - Possession of Firearms - Crimes Committed in Other States OPPOSE at this time – Summer Study is Needed - Hearing: none scheduled(crossfiled with SB 640)Prohibiting a person from possessing a regulated firearm, rifle, or shotgun if the person was previouslyconvicted of an offense under the laws of another state or the United States that would constitute acrime of violence or a violation of specified provisions of law if committed in this State.

SB 512 Regulated Firearms - Database - Applications for Dealer's License – Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements OPPOSE - Hearing: none scheduledAuthorizing the Department of State Police to make specified information available to aid the

investigation of those who are armed and prohibited from possessing a firearm; requiring the Secretaryof State Police or the Secretary's designee to disapprove an application for a State-regulated firearmsdealer's license if the Secretary or designee determines that the applicant intends a specified person toparticipate or hold a specified interest in the management or operation of the business for which thelicense is sought; etc.

SB 640 Public Safety - Possession of Firearms - Crimes Committed in Other StatesOPPOSE at this time – Summer Study is Needed - Hearing: none scheduled(crossfiled with HB 209) Prohibiting a person from possessing a regulated firearm, rifle, or shotgun if the person was previouslyconvicted of an offense under the laws of another state or the United States that would constitute acrime of violence or a violation of specified provisions of law if committed in this State

OPPOSE AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN:

HB 300 Public Safety- Handgun Permits - Renewal Period for Retired Law Enforcement

OPPOSE AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN – Hearing: 02-21-2012Establishing that a handgun permit issued to a retired law enforcement officer of the State or a countyor municipal corporation of the State expires on the last day of the holder's birth month following 5years after the date the permit is issued and may be renewed for successive periods of 5 years each if,at the time of an application for renewal, the applicant possesses the qualifications for the issuance of apermit.

NOTE: HB 300 is its present form benefits only law enforcement and excludes private citizens. It is not abill that we can support because it creates a caste system which denies equal protection under the law.

While we support law enforcement, we cannot support HB 300 as written.

However, if an amendment to include all citizens is offered, we will reconsider our position on HB 300based upon the acceptance, and inclusion of the amendment in the final language of the bill.






























NO POSITON:

HB 208 Baltimore City Public School System – Governance

No Position – Hearing: cancelled – none rescheduledAltering the appointment process of specified members of the Baltimore City Board of SchoolCommissioners; altering the composition and purpose of the board; making the board responsible forfunctions assigned to it by the Chief Executive Officer of the board; repealing specified powers andfunctions of the board; requiring the Mayor to employ the Chief Executive Officer and establish asalary; requiring the board to establish a specified personnel system proposed by the Chief ExecutiveOfficer; etc.

HB 379 Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Citations Issued by Inspectors

No Position – Hearing: 02-21-2012 (crossfiled with SB 439)Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors areprohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

HB 396 Public Safety - Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal - Deceased Officers

No Position – Hearing: 02-21-2012 (crossfiled with SB 514) Authorizing a law enforcement agency to transfer the handgun of a law enforcement officer who iskilled or dies in the performance of duty to specified members of the deceased officer's family or to thedeceased officer's estate; and authorizing a law enforcement agency to render the handgun of adeceased officer inoperable before transfer.

SB 439 Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Citations Issued by Inspectors

No Position – Hearing: none scheduled (crossfiled with HB 379)Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors areprohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

SB 514 Public Safety - Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal - Deceased Officers

No Position – Hearing: none scheduled (crossfiled with HB 396) Authorizing a law enforcement agency to transfer the handgun of a law enforcement officer who iskilled or dies in the performance of duty to specified members of the deceased officer's family or to thedeceased officer's estate; and authorizing a law enforcement agency to render the handgun of adeceased officer inoperable before transfer.

UNDER REVIEW:

HB 579 Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Exemption from Training Course

Under Review – Hearing: none scheduled (crossfiled with SB 803)Providing an exemption from specified requirements to complete a specified firearms training course if an individual is a retired law enforcement officer of a unit of the federal government, the State, or anylocal law enforcement agency in the State.

SB 803 Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Exemption from Training Course

Under Review – Hearing: none scheduled (crossfiled with HB 579) Providing an exemption from specified requirements to complete a specified firearms training course if an individual is a retired law enforcement officer of a unit of the federal government, the State, or anylocal law enforcement agency in the State.

2012_Session_Gun_Bill_Information_&_Positions.docx


































LEGISLATIVE OFFICE

P.O. BOX 20102 ● TOWSON, MD 21284-0102 ● 410-296-3947WWW.ASSOCIATEDGUNCLUBS.ORG ● E-MAIL: [email protected]

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - (JUD) - 2012 SESSION

Name District Room No. & Building Phone E-mail address (hyperlinks)

Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (C) (D)-27A 101 House Office Building Ext. 3488

Kathleen Dumais (V-C)

[email protected]

(D)-15 101 House Office Building Ext. 3052

Tiffany Alston

[email protected]


Curtis S. Anderson

[email protected]


Sam Arora

[email protected]


Jill P. Carter

[email protected]


Luke Clippinger

[email protected]


John W. E. Cluster, Jr.

[email protected]

(R)-8 305 House Office Building Ext. 3526

Frank M. Conaway, Jr.

[email protected]


Don H. Dwyer, Jr.

[email protected]


Michael J. Hough

[email protected]

(R)-3B 324 House Office Building Ext. 3240

Kevin Kelly

[email protected]

(D)-1B 320 House Office Building Ext. 3404

Susan C. Lee

[email protected]


Susan K. McComas

[email protected]


Michael A. McDermott

[email protected]


Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr.

[email protected]


Neil C. Parrott

[email protected]


Luiz R. S. Simmons

[email protected]


Michael D. Smigiel, Sr.

[email protected]


Kris Valderrama

[email protected]


Geraldine Valentino-Smith

[email protected]

(D)-23A 209 House Office Building Ext. 3101

Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher

[email protected]

(D)-18 221 House Office Building Ext. 3130 [email protected]

From Baltimore/Annapolis area: dial 410-841 + Ext. number (FAX 410-841-3850)

From Prince George's & Montgomery Co. areas (dial 301-858 + Ext. number) (FAX 301-858-3850)

From all other areas in Maryland (dial 1-800-492-7122 + Ext. number)

Address: The Honorable "name"

“room number & building"

Annapolis, MD 21401-1991

Salutation: Dear Delegate "name"

AGC Email: [email protected] Revised: 12-11-11

mailto:[email protected]


http://[email protected]/








































http://[email protected]/





HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEESeating Chart

LEE COUNSEL COUNSEL VALLARIO DUMAIS SIMMONS ANDERSON

KELLY CONAWAY

WALDSTREICHER ARORA

CLIPPINGER VALDERRAMA

ALSTON McDERMOTT

CARTER MITCHELL

VALENTINO-

SMITH

CLUSTER

DWYER HOUGH

McCOMAS SMIGIEL

PARROTT

WITNESS

TABLE




LEGISLATIVE OFFICE P.O. BOX 20102 ● TOWSON, MD 21284-0102 ● 410-296-3947

WWW.ASSOCIATEDGUNCLUBS.ORG ● E-MAIL: [email protected]

MARYLAND - 2012 - LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION

Information on pending legislation and a multitude of other topics can be obtained free of charge from

Legislative Services in Annapolis by calling:

410-946-5400 (Baltimore area) 301-970-5400 (Washington area)

410-841-3850 (Baltimore area - fax) 301-841-3850 (Washington area - fax)

1-800-492-7122 ext. 5400 (all other areas of Maryland - VOICE ONLY)

Internet Maryland General Assembly home page: .............................................................. www.mlis.state.md.us

Bills by Subject - Guns: ...............................................www.mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/subjects/guns.htm

Bills by Subject - Weapons: ................................. www.mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/subjects/weapons.htm

Bills by Subject - Hunting: .....................................www.mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/subjects/hunting.htm FIND YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS: ............................................... .http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/

If you do not have access to the Internet, you can request House Bills (HB#) or Senate Bills (S#) by

number in ascending numerical order (do not mix House and Senate Bills in the same number sequence).

Fiscal impact reports and legislative histories are also available for each bill. You can request up to 10

bills per day. There is no charge for this service.

Legislative Reference can also provide a list of bills by subject area (i.e.: Guns, Weapons, and Hunting).

By requesting the list of bills by subject you also receive information on the status of the bill. When a bill

is still in the House Judicial and/or Senate Judiciary, call and write to the members of those committeesand be sure to send a copy to your local representatives. Remember, the main point is to bring strong

pressure to bear on those legislators who are in a position to impact the passage or defeat of a bill.

Request: • Bill(s) by number (if you know the bill number)

• Bill listing by subjects (guns, weapons, and hunting)• Bill analysis & fiscal impact (by specific bill number)

• Senate Committee Appointment List

• House of Delegates Assignments

• General Assembly of Maryland - List of Committees, Roster & addresses

• Standard Abbreviations Key & Legislative Lingo• Copy of Maryland Constitution & U.S. Constitution

Letters to your representative(s) can be sent via fax by dialing 410-841-3850 (Baltimore Area) or 301-

858-3850 (Washington area). Sending your letter(s) via fax saves envelopes & postage (letters transmitted

via fax modem & e-mail save even more), fax letters are delivered to the addressee within 24 hours.

Many legislators have fax machines in their offices - contact them for the number.

Note: See the following pages for a listing of phone numbers and addresses for your senator and

delegate(s) as well as hyperlinked email addresses.

2012_MGA_Info_List_Rat ings.rtf Revised: 12-11-11

http://www.mlis.state.md.us/



http://www.mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/subjects/guns.htm



http://www.mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/subjects/weapons.htm



http://www.mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/subjects/hunting.htm



http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/










ASSOCIATED GUN CLUBS OF BALTIMORE, INC. ● LEGISLATIVE OFFICE ● P.O. BOX 20102 ● TOWSON, MD 21284-0102 ● 410-296-3947 Revised: 01-03-2012

PLEASE REPORT ANY ERRORS TO: [email protected]

2012 MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

From the Baltimore / Annapolis area (dial 410-841 + Ext. number) (FAX 410-841-3850)From Prince George's & Montgomery Co. areas (dial 301-858 + Ext. number) (FAX 301-858-3850)From all other areas in Maryland (dial 1-800-492-7122 + Ext. number)

Letter format: The Honorable "name""room number" "James or Miller ( M ) Senate Office Bldg.” or “Lowe House Office Bldg."Annapolis, MD 21401-1991

Salutation: Dear Senator "name": or Dear Delegate "name":

District 01 Code Room Ext. Sen. George Edwards A 322 3565

Del. Wendell Beitzel ? 410B 3435

Del. Kevin Kelly A 410A 3404

Del. LeRoy Myers A 215 3321

District 02 Sen. Christopher Shank A 402 3903

Del. Andrew Serafini ? 215 3447

Del. Neil Parrott B? 320 3636

Del. John Donoghue A? 426 3125

District 03 Sen. Ronald Young ? 316 3575

Del. Galen Clagett D 405 3436

Del. Patrick Hogan ? 324 3240Del. Michael Hough A 320 3472

District 04 Sen. David Brinkley A 420 3704

Del. Kathy Afzali B? 319 3288Del. Kelly Schulz B? 324 3080

Del. Donald Elliott A 311 3118

District 05

Sen. Joseph Getty A 401 3683Del. Justin Ready ? 322 3070

Del. Nancy Stocksdale A 322 3077

Del. Wade Kach A 201 3359

District 06 Sen. Norman Stone A 216 3587

Del. Joseph Minnick A 403 3332

Del. John Olszewski, Jr. ? 305 3458

Del. Michael Wier, Jr. A? 305 3328

District 07 Sen. J. B. Jennings A 416 3706

Del. Rick Impallaria A 310 3334

Del. Patrick McDonough A 310 3334

Del. Kathy Szeliga A 303 3698

District 08

Sen. Kathy Klausmeier A 103 3620

Del. Joseph Boteler A 326 3365Del. Eric Bromwell B 415 3766

Del. John Cluster A 308 3526

District 09 Sen. Allan Kittleman B 423 3671

Del. Gail Bates B 202 3556

Del. Warren Miller A 202 3582

Del. Susan Krebs A 311 3200

District 10 Sen. Delores Kelley F 302 3606

Del. Emmett Burns, Jr. F 309 3352Del. Adrienne Jones D 312 3391

Del. S. Nathan-Pulliam F 309 3358

District 11 Sen. Robert Zirkin F 301 3131

Del. Jon Cardin D? 304 3833

Del. Dan Morhaim F 362 3054

Del. Dana Stein ? 304 3527

District 12

Sen. Edward Kasemeyer F 3W M 3653

Del. Steven DeBoy B? 306 3328

Del. James Malone, Jr. B 251 3378Del. Elizabeth Bobo F 214 3205

District 13 Code Room Ext. Sen. James Robey F 120 3572

Del. Guy Guzzone ? 206 3471

Del. Shane Pendergrass F 241 3139

Del. Frank Turner F 206 3246

District 14 Sen. Karen Montgomery F 214 3625

Del. Anne Kaiser F 151 3036

Del. Eric Luedtke ? 222 3310

Del. Craig Zucker ? 224 3380

District 15 Sen. Rob Garagiola F 104 3169

Del. Kathleen Dumais F 101 3052

Del. Brian Feldman F 350 3186Del. Aruna Miller ? 225 3090

District 16 Sen. Brian Frosh F 2 E M 3124

Del. C. William Frick F 219 3454Del. Ariana Kelly ? 210 3642

Del. Susan Lee F 414 3649

District 17 Sen. Jennie Forehand F 223 3134

Del. Kumar Barve F 361 3464

Del. James Gilchrist ? 221 3744

Del. Luiz Simmons D 226 3037

District 18 Sen. Richard Madaleno F 203 3137

Del. Alfred Carr, Jr. ? 222 3638

Del. Ana Gutierrez F 220 3181

Del. Jeffrey Waldstreicher ? 221 3130

District 19 Sen. Roger Manno F 3W M 3151

Del. Sam Arora ? 224 3528

Del. Bonnie Cullison ? 220 3883Del. Benjamin Kramer ? 226 3485

District 20

Sen. Jamie Raskin F 122 3634

Del. Sheila Hixson F 131 3469Del. Thomas Hucker ? 210 3474

Del. Heather Mizeur ? 429 3493

District 21 Sen. James Rosapepe F 314 3141

Del. Benjamin Barnes ? 152 3046

Del. Barbara Frush F 160 3114

Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk ? 157 3502

District 22 Sen. Paul Pinsky F 220 3155

Del. Tawanna Gaines F 416 3058Del. Anne Healey F 350 3961

Del. Justin Ross F? 151 3652

District 23 Sen. Douglas Peters C 121 3631

Del. James Hubbard F 363 3103

Del. G. Valentino-Smith ? 209 3101

Del. Marvin Holmes F 313 3310

District 24

Sen. Joanne Benson F 214 3148

Del. Tiffany Alston C? 203 3692Del. Carolyn Howard F 301 3919

Del. Michael Vaughn F 423 3691

District 25 Code Room Ext. Sen. Ulysses Currie F 201 3127

Del. Aisha Braveboy ? 209 3707

Del. Dereck Davis F 231 3519

Del. Melony Griffith D 207 3557

District 26 Sen. C. Anthony Muse F 304 3092

Del. Veronica Turner F? 205 3212

Del. Kriselda Valderrama ? 205 3210

Del. Jay Walker ? 204 3581

District 27 Sen. Thomas Miller D H107 3700

Del. James Proctor, Jr. F 121 3083

Del. Joseph Vallario, Jr. C 101 3488Del. Sue Kullen C? 217 3231

District 28 Sen. Thomas Middleton C 3E M 3616

Del. Sally Jameson ? 427 3337Del. Peter Murphy ? 307 3247

Del. C. T. Wilson ? 307 3325

District 29

Sen. Roy Dyson A 102 3673Del. John Wood, Jr. B 422 3170

Del. John Bohanan B 350 3227

Del. Anthony O'Donnell A 212 3314

District 30 Sen. John Astle C? 123 3578

Del. Michael Busch F H101 3800

Del. Ronald George A? 163 3439

Del. Herbert McMillan A? 217 3211

District 31 Sen. Bryan Simonaire A 414 3658

Del. Don Dwyer A 216 3047

Del. Nicholaus Kipke A 164 3421Del. Steven Schuh B? 156 3206

District 32

Sen. James DeGrange, Jr. C? 101 3593

Del. Pamela Beidle A? 161 3370Del. Mary Ann Love F 165 3511

Del Theodore Sophocleus C 162 3372

District 33 Sen. Edward Reilly ? 321 3568

Del. Anthony McConkey A 216 3406

Del. Cathleen Vitale A? 154 3510

Del. Robert Costa A 159 3551

District 34 Sen. Nancy Jacobs A 323 3158

Del. Glen Glass ? 326 3280Del. Mary-Dulany James C 404 3331

Del. David Rudolph C 231 3444

District 35 Sen. Barry Glassman A 320 3603

Del. H. Wayne Norman B 326 3284

Del. Donna Stifler B 326 3278

Del. Susan McComas A 319 3272

District 36

Sen. E. J. Pipkin A 403 3639

Del. Stephen Hershey, Jr. A? 308 3543

Del. Jay Jacobs A? 321 3449Del. Michael Smigiel, Sr. A 323 3555

District 37 Code Room Ext. Sen. Richard Colburn A 315 3590

Del. Rudolph Cane B 364 3427

Del. Adelaide Eckardt A 213 3343

Del. Jeannie Haddaway A 212 3429

District 38 Sen. James Mathias ? 401 M 3645

Del. Charles Otto ? 221 3433

Del. Norman Conway A 121 3407

Del. Michael McDermott B? 323 3431

District 39 Sen. Nancy King F 322 3686

Del. Charles Barkley F 223 3001

Del. Kirill Reznik ? 225 3039Del. A. Shane Robinson ? 223 3021

District 40 Sen. Catherine Pugh F 3E M 3656

Del. Frank Conaway ? 314 3189Del. Barbara Robinson ? 315 3520

Del. Shawn Tarrant ? 411 3545

District 41

Sen. Lisa Gladden F 2E M 3697Del. Jill Carter C? 317 3283

Del. Nathaniel Oaks F 317 3283

Del. Samuel Rosenburg F 131 3297

District 42 Sen. James Brochin A 221 3648

Del. Susan Aumann A 303 3258

Del. William Frank A 213 3793

Del. Steven Lafferty D 306 3487

District 43 Sen. Joan Conway F 2W M 3145

Del. Curtis Anderson F 314 3291

Del. Maggie McIntosh F 251 3990

Del. Mary Washington ? 315 3476

District 44

Sen. Verna Jones F 420 M 3612

Del. Keith Haynes F 424 3801

Del. Keiffer Mitchell, Jr. ? 316 3802

Del. Melvin Stukes ? 412 3544

District 45 Sen. Nathaniel McFadden F 422 M 3165

Del. Talmadge Branch F 151 3398

Del. Cheryl Glenn ? 413 3257

Del. Hattie Harrison F 365 3486

District 46 Sen. William Ferguson, IV ? 2W M 3600

Del. Luke Clippinger F 316 3303Del. Peter Hammen F 241 3772

Del. Brian McHale F 350 3319

District 47 Sen. Victor Ramirez F 303 3745

Del. Jolene Ivey D? 207 3478

Del. Doyle Niemann F 203 3326

Del. Michael Summers ? 203 3340

Code = Gun Rights Position Ratings (A - F)

Code A Pro gun rights (best)

Code F Anti gun rights (worst)

Code ? Position uncertain due to a lack

of voting history

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Error%20Report








EMAIL HYPERLINKS

Office Dist Email First MI Last

Senate 01 [email protected] George C. EdwardsHouse 01A [email protected] Wendell R. Beitzel

House 01B [email protected] Kevin Kelly

House 01C [email protected] Leroy E. Myers, Jr.

Senate 02 [email protected] Christopher B. Shank

House 02A [email protected] Andrew A. Serafini

House 02B [email protected] Neil C. Parrott

House 02C [email protected] John P. Donoghue

Senate 03 [email protected] Ronald N. Young

House 03A [email protected] Galen R. Clagett

House 03A [email protected] Patrick N. Hogan

House 03B [email protected] Michael J. HoughSenate 04 [email protected] David R. Brinkley

House 04A [email protected] Kathy L. Afzali

House 04A [email protected] Kelly M. Schulz

House 04B [email protected] Donald B. Elliott

Senate 05 [email protected] Joseph M. Getty

House 05A [email protected] Justin D. Ready

House 05A [email protected] Nancy R. Stocksdale

House 05B [email protected] A. Wade Kach

Senate 06 [email protected] Norman R. Stone, Jr.

House 06 [email protected] Joseph J. Minnick

House 06 [email protected] John A. Olszewski, Jr.

House 06 [email protected] Michael H. Weir, Jr.

Senate 07 [email protected] J. B. Jennings

House 07 [email protected] Richard K. Impallaria

House 07 [email protected] Patrick L. McDonough

House 07 [email protected] Kathy Szeliga

Senate 08 [email protected] Katherine A. Klausmeier

House 08 [email protected] Joseph C. Boteler, III

House 08 [email protected] Eric M. Bromwell

House 08 [email protected] John W. E. Cluster, Jr.

Senate 09 [email protected] Allan H. KittlemanHouse 09A [email protected] Gail H. Bates

House 09A [email protected] Warren E. Miller

House 09B [email protected] Susan W. Krebs

Senate 10 [email protected] Delores G. Kelly

House 10 [email protected] Emmett C. Burns, Jr.

House 10 [email protected] Adrienne A. Jones

House 10 [email protected] Shirley Nathan‐Pulliam

2012 MGA email 01‐03‐2012.xlsx 1 of 5 01‐03‐2012





EMAIL HYPERLINKS


Senate 11 [email protected] Robert A. ZirkinHouse 11 [email protected] Jon S. Cardin

House 11 [email protected] Dan K. Morhaim

House 11 [email protected] Dana M. Stein

Senate 12 [email protected] Edward J. Kasemeyer

House 12A [email protected] Steven J. DeBoy, Sr.

House 12A [email protected] James E. Malone, Jr.

House 12B [email protected] Elizabeth Bobo

Senate 13 [email protected] James N. Robey

House 13 [email protected] Guy J. Guzzone

House 13 [email protected] Shane E. Pendergrass

House 13 [email protected] Frank S. TurnerSenate 14 [email protected] Karen S. Montgomery

House 14 [email protected] Anne R. Kaiser

House 14 [email protected] Eric G. Luedtke

House 14 [email protected] Craig J. Zucker

Senate 15 [email protected] Robert J. Garagiola

House 15 [email protected] Kathleen M. Dumais

House 15 [email protected] Brian J. Feldman

House 15 [email protected] Aruna Miller

Senate 16 [email protected] Brian E. Frosh

House 16 [email protected] C. William Frick

House 16 [email protected] Ariana B. Kelly

House 16 [email protected] Susan C. Lee

Senate 17 [email protected] Jennie M. Forehand

House 17 [email protected] Kumar P. Barve

House 17 [email protected] James W. Gilchrist

House 17 [email protected] Luiz R. S. Simmons

Senate 18 [email protected] Richard S. Madeleno, Jr.

House 18 [email protected] Alfred C. Carr, Jr.

House 18 [email protected] Ana Sol Gutierrez

House 18 [email protected] Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher

Senate 19 [email protected] Roger P. MannoHouse 19 [email protected] Sam Arora

House 19 [email protected] Bonnie L. Cullison

House 19 [email protected] Benjamin F. Kramer

Senate 20 [email protected] Jamin B. Raskin

House 20 [email protected] Sheila E. Hixson

House 20 [email protected] Tom Hucker

House 20 [email protected] Heather R. Mizeur

2012 MGA email 01‐03‐2012.xlsx 2 of 5 01‐03‐2012





EMAIL HYPERLINKS


Senate 21 [email protected] James C. RosapepeHouse 21 [email protected] Benjamin S. Barnes

House 21 [email protected] Barbara A. Frush

House 21 [email protected] Joseline A. Pena‐Melnyk

Senate 22 [email protected] Paul G. Pinsky

House 22 [email protected] Tawanna P. Gaines

House 22 [email protected] Anne Healy

House 22 [email protected] Justin D. Ross

Senate 23 [email protected] Douglas J. J. Peters

House 23A [email protected] James W. Hubbard

House 23A [email protected] Geraldine Valentino‐Smith

House 23B [email protected] Marvin E. Holmes, Jr.

Senate 24 [email protected] Joanne C. Benson

House 24 [email protected] Tiffany Alston

House 24 [email protected] Carolyn J. B. Howard

House 24 [email protected] Michael L. Vaugh

Senate 25 [email protected] Ulysses Currie

House 25 [email protected] Aisha N. Braveboy

House 25 [email protected] Dereck E. Davis

House 25 [email protected] Melony G. Griffith

Senate 26 [email protected] C. Anthony Muse

House 26 [email protected] Veronica L. Turner

House 26 [email protected] Kriselda Valderrama

House 26 [email protected] Jay Walker

Senate 27 [email protected] Thomas V. Miller, jr.

House 27A [email protected] James E. Procter, Jr.

House 27A [email protected] Joseph F. Vallario, Jr.

House 27B [email protected] Mark N. Fisher

Senate 28 [email protected] Thomas M. Middleton

House 28 [email protected] Sally Y. Jameson

House 28 [email protected] Peter F. Murphy

House 28 [email protected] C. T. Wilson

Senate 29 [email protected] Roy P. DysonHouse 29A [email protected] John F. Wood, Jr.

House 29B [email protected] John L. Bohanan, Jr.

House 29C [email protected] Anthony J. O'Donnell

Senate 30 [email protected] John C. Astle

House 30 [email protected] Michael E. Busch

House 30 [email protected] Ronald A. George

House 30 [email protected] Herbert H. McMillan

2012 MGA email 01‐03‐2012.xlsx 3 of 5 01‐03‐2012





EMAIL HYPERLINKS


Senate 31 [email protected] Bryan W. SimonaireHouse 31 [email protected] Don H. Dwyer, Jr.

House 31 [email protected] Nicholaus R. Kipke

House 31 [email protected] Steven R. Schuh

Senate 32 [email protected] James E. DeGrange, Sr.

House 32 [email protected] Pamela G. Beidle

House 32 [email protected] Mary Ann Love

House 32 [email protected] Theodore J. Sophocleus

Senate 33 [email protected] Edward R. Reilly

House 33A [email protected] Tony McConkey

House 33A [email protected] Cathleen M. Vitale

House 33B [email protected] Robert A. CostaSenate 34 [email protected] Nancy Jacobs

House 34A [email protected] Glen Glass

House 34A [email protected] Mary‐Dulany James

House 34B [email protected] David D. Rudolph

Senate 35 [email protected] Barry Glassman

House 35A [email protected] H. Wayne Norman, Jr.

House 35A [email protected] Donna Stifler

House 35B [email protected] Susan K. McComas

Senate 36 [email protected] Edward J. Pipkin

House 36 [email protected] Stephen S. Hershey, Jr.

House 36 [email protected] Jay A. Jacobs

House 36 [email protected] Michael D. Smigiel, Sr.

Senate 37 [email protected] Richard F. Colburn

House 37A [email protected] Rudolph C. Cane

House 37B [email protected] Adelaide C. Eckardt

House 37B [email protected] Jeannie Haddaway‐Riccio

Senate 38 [email protected] James N. Mathias, Jr.

House 38A [email protected] Charles J. Otto

House 38B [email protected] Norman H. Conway

House 38B [email protected] Michael A. McDermott

Senate 39 [email protected] Nancy J. KingHouse 39 [email protected] Charles E. Barkley

House 39 [email protected] Kirill Reznik

House 39 [email protected] A. Shane Robinson

Senate 40 [email protected] Catherine E. Pugh

House 40 [email protected] Frank M. Conaway, Jr.

House 40 [email protected] Barbara A. Robinson

House 40 [email protected] Shawn Z. Tarrant

2012 MGA email 01‐03‐2012.xlsx 4 of 5 01‐03‐2012





EMAIL HYPERLINKS


Senate 41 [email protected] Lisa A. GladdenHouse 41 [email protected] Jill P. Carter

House 41 [email protected] Nathaniel T. Oaks

House 41 [email protected] Samuel I. Rosenberg

Senate 42 [email protected] James Brochin

House 42 [email protected] Susan L. M. Aumann

House 42 [email protected] William J. Frank

House 42 [email protected] Stephen W. Lafferty

Senate 43 [email protected] Joan Carter Conway

House 43 [email protected] Curtis S. Anderson

House 43 [email protected] Maggie McIntosh

House 43 [email protected] Mary L. WashingtonSenate 44 [email protected] Verna L. Jones

House 44 [email protected] Keith E. Haynes

House 44 [email protected] Keiffer J. Mitchell, jr.

House 44 [email protected] Melvin L. Stukes

Senate 45 [email protected] Nathaniel J. McFadden

House 45 [email protected] Talmadge Branch

House 45 [email protected] Cheryl D. Glenn

House 45 [email protected] Hattie N. Harrison

Senate 46 [email protected] William C. Ferguson, IV

House 46 [email protected] Luke Clippinger

House 46 [email protected] Peter A. Hammen

House 46 [email protected] Brian K. McHale

Senate 47 [email protected] Victor R. Ramirez

House 47 [email protected] Jolene Ivey

House 47 [email protected] Doyle L. Niemann

House 47 [email protected] Michael G. Summers

2012 MGA email 01‐03‐2012.xlsx 5 of 5 01‐03‐2012



Hearing Room

ENTRANCE

SIGN IN TO TESTIFY HERE

DROP OFF 35 COPIES OF WRIT

TESTIMONY IN ROOM 101

NOTE: ALL WRITTEN TESTIMONIS A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECO

RESTROOMS

SNACKS









Annapolis Map March 9, 2009

View Government Buildings on Capitol Complex

View Government Buildings on Capitol Complex

Visit Us

Annapolis

Map

Security in the

Capitol Complex

Attending a

Floor Session

Attending a

CommitteeHearing

Educational

Programs

Communicating

with Your

Legislator

Additional

Information

Hearing:House Office Building

Judiciary CommitteeRoom 100

(turn left just beyond

the security checkpoint)

PUBLIC PARKING w/ FREE SHUTTLEBUS TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT

BUILDINGS

Shuttle bus will stophere - exit shuttle and

walk up Bladen Street.

Entrance to House

Office Building on rightlook for large entrance

with glass doorsBladen Street



Services - Visit Us - Annapolis Map

From W ashington, D.C.Annapolis is approximately 33 miles from Washington, D.C.,with a travel time of about 50 minutes. From Washington, takeUS-50 EAST toward Annapolis for about 13 miles, continuing onUS-50 EAST/US-301 NORTH. From US-50 EAST, take Exit 24(MD-70, Rowe Blvd./Bestgate Road). Keep right, continuing on

Rowe Blvd. into Annapolis. Turn left on Calvert Street, right onSt. John's Street, continuing on North Street. Turn right onState Circle. The Maryland State House is located in the centerof State Circle.

From Baltimore, MarylandAnnapolis is approximately 30 miles from Baltimore, Maryland,with a travel time of about 45 minutes. From Baltimore, takeRussell Street, continuing on MD-295 SOUTH. Take the I-695EAST exit toward Glen Burnie, and merge on I-695 EAST. Takethe I-97 exit toward Annapolis and the Bay Bridge, and continueon I-97 for about 17 miles. Take the US-50 EAST/US-301NORTH exit toward Annapolis and the Bay Bridge. From US-50EAST, take Exit 24 (MD-70, Rowe Blvd./Bestgate Road). Keep

right, continuing on Rowe Blvd. into Annapolis. Turn left onCalvert Street, right on St. John's Street, continuing on NorthStreet. Turn right on State Circle. The Maryland State House islocated in the center of State Circle.

Home | Organizational Structure | Staff | Careers | Students

Visit Us | ADA | Maryland General Assembly | Site Map

© 2005 Department of Legislative Services

If you have any questions, you may phone the Department of Legislative Services,Library and Information Services, toll-free at 1-410-946-5400 (Baltimore), 1-301-970-5400 (Washington), or 1-800-492-7122 (other areas); e-mail general questions [email protected];

or contact the DLS Webmaster at [email protected].



Annapolis Map

Govern m ent Bu i l d ings i n Ann apo l i s

ttp://dls.state.md.us/top_pgs/visit_us/visit_gov_buildings_large.html3/9/2009 12:04:04 PM

Hearing:

House Office BuildingJudiciary Committee

Room 101

(turn left just beyond thesecurity checkpoint)

Shuttle bus will stop

here - exit shuttle andwalk up Bladen Street.

Entrance to HouseOffice Building on right

look for large entrancewith glass doors

BLADEN STREET

BE PREPARED TO SHOW A VALID PHOTO ID

NO WEAPONS OF ANY TYPE - THIS

INCLUDES SMALL POCKET KNIVES, NAILFILES ETC.

Close Window



Security in the Legislative Complex

Buildings in the capitol complex are accessible only through specified entrances. The State House has two entrances open to thepublic, one on the first floor and the other on the ground floor. Both are on the Lawyers' Mall side of State Circle. Visitors may enter theMiller Senate Building and the House Office Building at their main entrances on Bladen Street. The Legislative Services Building isaccessible at the entrance on Lawyers' Mall.

To enter a building, visitors must present a photo identification card, such as a driver's license, and pass through a metal detector.Security officers also search bags and other personal effects. Temporary badges are then issued and must be kept visible for theduration of the visit. Large groups should allow extra time to get through security. In order to speed up entry to the legislative complex, visitors are urged notto bring extra bags, such as backpacks, into the complex unless absolutely necessary. Legislators and legislative staff are required to wear photo badges. Other employees of the State of Maryland are allowed access to thecomplex on presentation and display of their State photo badges.

Maryland Department of Legisl... 1/29/2011 17:19:42 PM

http://dls.state.md.us/Content.aspx?page=33



Attending a Committee Hearing

Critical to the success of the legislative process is the work of the General Assembly'scommittees. Although there are several types of committees, the standing committeesare the backbone of the legislative process. The four principal standing committees inthe Senate and the six principal standing committees in the House consider allstatewide legislation and recommend to the General Assembly which legislation shouldpass and which should fail. Each legislator is appointed by the President or the Speakerto serve on one principal standing committee. The Senate’s standing committee rooms are in the Miller Senate Building. Housestanding committee rooms are in the House Office Building. The Committee Meetings and Hearing Schedule (http://mlis.state.md.us/2011RS/hearsch/hs_index.htm) ,published weekly and updated frequently, lists bills to be heard before each committee.The Hearing Schedule (http://mlis.state.md.us/2010RS/hearsch/hs_index.htm) isavailable on the MGA website and in printed form within the capitol complex. Interestedparties may also call Library and Information Services for committee meeting times andother pertinent information.

The committee process is designed to gather input from the public on bills that legislators have introduced in the General Assembly.The public is encouraged to attend hearings and offer oral and written testimony. In order to testify, before a hearing begins, witnessesmust sign a witness sheet that is available in each committee room. Also, written testimony must be received by committee staff prior tothe hearing.

The weekly Hearing Schedule (http://mlis.state.md.us/2010RS/hearsch/hs_index.htm) includes the times of each committee’shearings. Most hearings begin at 1:00 p.m. The Hearing Schedule also lists the bills to be heard, the number of copies of written

testimony required, and the deadline for signing the witness sheet before a hearing begins. The committee chairs determine the orderin which the bills will be heard, which may not be the order in which the bills are listed in the Hearing Schedule. The committee chairsmay also limit testimony due to time constraints. Usually, the chair will call a bill’s sponsor as the first speaker, followed by proponentsand opponents who have indicated a desire to testify. Committee hearings offer citizens one of the most effective opportunities tocommunicate their views and concerns about individual legislation.

When presenting testimony:

Arrive early. Getting to a hearing early will give you the chance to sign the witness sheet and become comfortable with thesurroundings;

Introduce yourself. When speaking to a committee, clearly identify yourself and the organization you represent, if any.

Then clearly state your position on the bill;

Don’t be intimidated. The General Assembly is a citizen legislature. Legislators want to hear what constituents have tosay. State your case clearly and in simple terms as you would to anyone. There are no “rights or wrongs” in testifying;

Be brief. Make your points as concisely as possible, be prepared to limit your testimony if necessary, and try not to repeattestimony offered by previous witnesses. Provide specific information about your position. For example, legislators maywant to know what has been done in other states, what the costs might be, and what groups support or oppose yourposition;

Be prepared to answer questions. The best way to make your case is to provide straightforward answers to legislators’

questions. If you don’t know an answer, say so. Then, if possible, find the answer and relay it later. Generally, refrain fromasking questions of committee members since public hearings are directed toward providing them with information on thelegislation under consideration; and

Provide summaries. A concise written summary or clearly written letter is an effective way to further explain your position.

Be sure to provide the required number of copies of your written material to committee staff prior to the start of the hearing.

Maryland Department of Legisl... 1/29/2011 17:18:14 PM

Documents

2012 Maryland House Bill Hearing Action Pack