# Chapter 11 – Amendments

Current through 2024. Source: DLR publication. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## Rule 11-1 When authorized

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 11-1 (2026)

Any bill may be amended on its second or third reading.

## Rule 11-2 Single subject

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 11-2 (2026)

In conformity with Article III, § 14(b) {“Single-subject, title, and content requirements”} of the Charter that restricts each bill to 1 subject:

(1) amendments on a subject different from that contained in the bill under consideration may not be offered; and

(2) amendments to a bill may not be combined with amendments to any other bill.

## Rule 11-3 Change of purpose

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 11-3 (2026)

A bill may not be amended during its passage in the Council by a direction to “strike out everything after the words ‘An Ordinance concerning’” or by any other amendment or series of amendments that would have the effect of changing the original bill’s basic purpose.

## Rule 11-4 Removal of sponsor’s name

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 11-4 (2026)

(a) Removal authorized. A Councilmember who is listed as a sponsor of a bill may offer an amendment to remove their name from the bill.

(b) Substitution of sole sponsor. If the Councilmember requesting that their name be removed from the bill is the bill’s only sponsor, the reporting committee becomes the sponsor.

## Rule 11-5 Form and preparation

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 11-5 (2026)

(a) Form. Amendments proposed to a bill, whether as part of a committee report or by a motion from the floor, shall be in the following format: Amendments to Council Bill XX-XXXX/XX-XXXXR (First Reader/Third Reader/Enrolled Copy) By: Committee/Councilmember ___________________ {To be offered to the / on the Council floor} Amendment No. 1 [Text of Amendment] Amendment No. 2 [Text of Amendment] Amendment No. 3 [Text of Amendment]

(b) Preparation. Before proposed amendments may be submitted to the Council or a committee for consideration:

  (1) they shall be submitted to the Department of Legislative Reference for preparation in accordance with these rules; and

  (2) the original copy of the amendments shall be endorsed by the Department of Legislative Reference:

    (i) as having been approved by the Department for form, style, and codification; or

    (ii) if not so approved, as having been formatted by the Department.

## Rule 11-6 Distribution of copies

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 11-6 (2026)

(a) Submission of amendments. The committee reporting a bill with amendments or a Councilmember offering amendments from the floor shall submit the amendment to the Office of Council Services for distribution in compliance with Rule 11-7 {“Availability to members”}.

(b) Distribution of amendments.

  (1) The amendment shall be given to the President, who shall cause the amendments to be read.

  (2) The amendment shall then be added to the bill file on the legislative public information portal, together with a notation of the Council’s action, if any, on the amendments.

(c) Other copies. Copies of the amendment shall be distributed as follows:

  (1) a copy shall be distributed to each Councilmember;

  (2) a copy shall be retained by the Department of Legislative Reference;

  (3) a copy shall be distributed to the Office of Council Services;

  (4) a copy shall be distributed to the Office of the Mayor; and

  (5) additional copies shall be made available to the public upon request.

## Rule 11-7 Availability to members

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 11-7 (2026)

(a) In general. Before a proposed amendment may be considered by the Council or by a committee, a copy of that amendment shall be distributed to each Councilmember.

(b) Distribution time requirements.

  (1) Council meetings. A proposed amendment shall be distributed according to the requirements of Rule 11-6 and this Rule no fewer than 5 hours prior to the scheduled start of a Council meeting.

  (2) Committee meetings.

    (i) In general. A proposed amendment shall be distributed according to the requirements of Rule 11-6 and this Rule before the scheduled start of a committee meeting. (ii)Uncodified language. A committee member may move an amendment that exclusively contains uncodified language during a committee meeting without distributing the amendment as required by subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (2).