In Maryland, an idea or concept must pass through many processes before it becomes law. The major milestones are as follows:

1. Citizens of Maryland approach their legislators to introduce a bill. 
   

1. If the legislator agrees to sponsor the legislation, the bill is drafted by the Department of Legislative Services, reviewed by the legislator, and prepared for introduction.
   

1. Once a bill is introduced by a Delegate or Senator, the bill is assigned to the appropriate committee where it is discussed and voted upon. 
   

1. If a bill passes through the committee, then the bill goes to a floor vote of the entire chamber. 
   

1. If passed, the bill moves to the opposite chamber where it then is assigned to the appropriate committee, discussed, and voted upon. 
   

1. If the bill then passes through this committee, it then goes to a floor vote of the entire chamber. 
   

1. If both chambers (House and Senate) have passed the bill, then it is submitted to the Governor for his signature to make the bill into a law, or the Governor can veto the bill. 

Joint Resolutions are subject to the same legislative process as are bills, and must be passed by both houses. After passage, however, they are not codified in the Annotated Code. A Governor cannot veto a joint resolution, but may or may not sign it.

Resolutions that call for a Convention of States under Article V of the Constitution, are technically called applications. The terms resolution and application are both often used to describe what we are trying to pass in state legislatures.

The Maryland Constitution mandates that bills be limited to one subject clearly described by the title of the bill. Omnibus bills are not allowed in Maryland like they are in the federal government.

The Maryland Manual Online website has a Legislative Process Page with more detailed information on the process, including bill readings, committees, amending bills and timelines. 

This PDF has a great concise summary of the process.

For information on how to identify and contact your Maryland legislators, check out the next section of our Maryland Government Overview »> Maryland Legislators

Maryland State Director: Michael Rilee
michael.rilee@cosaction.com

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