Testifying on Legislation During the Pandemic

During this Session, the State Houses and Public Buildings will be closed to the general public. This does not mean your voice cannot or will not be heard in regards to legislation. It is that much more important that you are able to find out about pieces of legislation and thus how (and when) you can testify.

First thing is first, you will have to go to the Maryland General Assembly website (you can click on the link below). Then you can search for bills and other legislation in the search bar or under the legislation tab. A bill in the House will begin with \”HB\”; a bill in the Senate will begin with \”SB\”. With this information, you\’ll be able to find the legislation you want to testify about and to do so you will have to sign up for a MyMGA account. You can find the icon for that in the top, right-hand corner of the webpage along with the icons of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Any guidance you need will be featured in the tutorial videos in the second link below.

After signing up for a MyMGA account, you will be able to submit testimony regarding any bill. All written and/or oral testimony MUST be submitted two business days prior to bill\’s hearing between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. You must also include the bill\’s number, whether you support/oppose/support with amendments, the name and address of the person testifying, and the organization being represented (if applicable).

Following this, you will receive an email (the to the same one you used for the MyMGA account) letting you know whether you have or have not been selected to testify at the bill hearing. If you have been chosen to testify orally, you will also receive an email that includes a zoom link to the hearing. You will be admitted in when the hearing for the bill you are testifying on will be called. You will be unmuted when the Chairman recognizes you. The hearing will also be on live on YouTube so you can also watch it there, to follow the hearing. It is important that you do not leave the zoom hearing until the Delegates are able to ask questions of you. If you are not selected for oral testimony, your written testimony is just as important. The members will read your testimony and it will be included in the official bill file.

You are able to view my sponsored legislation by going to the Members tab, clicking on the House section, then click on my name. Under my name you can click on legislation and you can view the legislation I am sponsoring or co-sponsoring.

If you do have any concerns, bill ideas, or need any assistance, don\’t hesitate to contact me at the following:

Phone: 410-841-3321 or 301-858-3321

Email: mike.mckay@house.state.md.us

Thank you so much for participating in your government!

MD General Assembly Website: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/

Video Tutorials: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Information/VideoTutorials