Annapolis, MD – Last night, Senator E.J. Pipkin,R-Cecil, offered an amendment to the Senate of Maryland’s rules. The rule change would allow the Senate to more easily accommodate large numbers of people interested in testifying on legislation.
“Turning away people, who wish to participate in the process, is wrong,” Pipkin said. “Last week, SB281, the Governor’s Gun bill drew thousands of people who wished to testify in opposition. Over 1500 witnessed signed up to testify, the committee heard testimony from less than 90. This was a structural failure.”
“This rule change would modernize the way the State Senate holds committee hearings when there is heavy interest in a particular bill.”
The rule change allows the President, on his own, or at the request of two or more members of the Senate, to designate a bill of high interest. Witnesses could then sign up on the General Assembly’s website to testify before the day of the hearing. The chairman of the committee to which the bill is assigned shall then arrange for a larger venue and schedule additional time for a bill hearing to accommodate all of the witnesses wishing to testify.
“If a witness wishes to have their voice heard, we don’t stifle their voice, we change the way we do business.”
The Senate Rules Committee will take up the rule change on Wednesday. If the committee approves the rule, it will come before the whole Senate for consideration.
February 12, 2013
For Immediate Release
Contact: John Fiastro
410-841-3639
443-416-3842
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