Bill and Amendment Drafting

Who drafts bills?

At the request of legislators, nonpartisan, professional staff in the Office of Policy Analysis researches, drafts, and prepares over 3,000 bills and joint resolutions annually.  Bill drafting is divided into areas of expertise by subject matter.  A bill request remains confidential until the bill is released by the primary sponsor.

Where: Office of Policy Analysis, Department of Legislative Services, Room 110, First Floor, Legislative Services Building, 90 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401, Baltimore area 410-946-5350 or Washington, D.C. area 301-970-5350, Other areas in Maryland 1-800-492-7122 x5350

Where can I get a copy of a bill?

Bills and resolutions are distributed to each legislator’s office, the committee rooms, and the Senate and House chambers by Bill Room staff.  Bill requests from staff and members of the public are accommodated at the Bill Room walk-up service window.  Additionally, the text of bills can be found online at the Maryland General Assembly website.

Where:  Bill Room, Distribution Services, Ground Floor, Legislative Services Building, 90 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401, Baltimore area 410-946-5065 or Washington, D.C. Area 301-970-5065, Other areas in Maryland 1-800-492-7122 x5065 or online at http://mgaleg.maryland.gov

How can I get an amendment prepared?

After bills are introduced, nonpartisan, professional staff prepares and processes individually sponsored and committee amendments to legislation.  The Amendment Office is staffed from the first day of session through the last day, Sine Die.  Additionally, committee staff also draft amendments.  Staff works hard to ensure timely delivery of amendments. Requests are made to the Amendment Office and assigned to a staff member for processing.

Where:  Office of Policy Analysis, Department of Legislative Services, Room H-9, Ground Floor, State House, 90 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401, Baltimore area 410-946-5355 or Washington, D.C. Area 301-970-5355, Other areas in Maryland 1-800-492-7122 x5355

Where can I get a copy of an amendment?

Print copies of amendments may be obtained at the information desk in the Library of the Department of Legislative Services.  Additionally, each day’s proceedings for the Senate and the House of Delegate contains a link to amendments that have been considered that day on the Maryland General Assembly website.

Where:  Library, Department of Legislative Services, Basement, Legislative Services Building, 90 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401, Baltimore area 410-946-5400 or Washington, D.C. area 301-970-5400, Other areas in Maryland 1-800-492-7122 x5400 or online at http://mgaleg.maryland.gov