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The Legislative Process

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Schedule

The legislative process follows a monthly schedule. 

1st Monday - New legislation is introduced; legislation from prior month is given final consideration
3rd Monday - Public hearing on legislation introduced that month (opportunity to testify)
Within one week of the Public Hearing - Legislative work session, if needed

Note: If Monday falls on a holiday, Council meetings are held on Tuesday or the first day after the Holiday(s). The Council is in recess in August. The Council does not meet the month of November during a local election year.

 

Legislation Steps

  • Introduction of Legislation
    All bills and resolutions being introduced by Council or on behalf of the County Executive are read into the record for the first time.

  • Public Hearing
    All legislation introduced on the first Monday of the month is advertised for a public hearing to be held on the third Monday of the month. Any person who desires may testify at the public hearing or submit written testimony. Electronic sign-up available after introduction, by clicking here.

  • Work Session
    A work session is not mandatory and is held only if the Council needs further discussion on any legislation before it. The work sessions are open to the public; however, the public does not participate unless specifically asked by the Council.

  • Final Consideration
    All legislation which was introduced on the first Monday of the previous month is brought before the Council for the third reading and a vote, or it can be tabled. Before voting on legislation, the Council can amend it by a majority vote. The initial life of a bill is 70 days from the date it is introduced. The Council may vote to extend the life of a bill up to two times, for 35 days with each extension. A resolution can be tabled indefinitely.

  • Adoption
    Resolutions are adopted with an affirmative vote of the Council. Bills approved by the Council must be sent to the County Executive within three days for signature. Upon receipt, the Executive has 10 days either to sign or veto the bill. If the Executive takes no action, the bill becomes law. Most laws go into effect 61 days after enactment. An emergency law goes into effect upon enactment.

  • Reconsideration
    If vetoed, a bill may be reconsidered by the Council at the next legislative session. A two-thirds vote is required to override a veto.

 

Testimony

Forms of Testimony

  • Testify before the Council - Testimony can heard during Public Hearings. In order to testify before the Council one must sign-up before the Public Hearing. The Council’s sign-up system opens at 7pm the day that legislation is introduced before the Council. The sign-up system stays open until 7pm the night of the Public Hearing for the legislation. Go to the Council's Testify page for more information.
  • Written and Email Testimony - Written or email testimony must be received before the final Council vote in order to be considered. Testimony can be sent through US mail or emailed to councilmail@howardcountymd.gov. All written and emailed testimony received will be fully reviewed by the Council and will be included in the official legislative record.

Note: All information submitted to the County Council is public information and subject to MPIA requests. Any personal contact information including mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses submitted to this office is public..