Chapter 3 – Daily Business
Current through 2024. Source: DLR publication. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-1 (2026)
Rule 3-1 Business of the dayLinkCopy Citation
Before the start of each meeting, the President shall cause all bills, resolutions, and reports to be considered at that meeting to be distributed to all Councilmembers no fewer than 5 hours prior to the start of a scheduled meeting.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-2 (2026)
Rule 3-2 Call to order; roll callLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Call to order. At the hour to which the Council has recessed or adjourned, the President shall take the chair and call the members to order.
(b)
Roll call. The President shall then:
(1)
cause the roll to be called naming each Councilmember individually and stating whether they are present or absent; and
(2)
if a quorum is present, proceed with the business of the day.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-3 (2026)
Rule 3-3 Preliminary presentationsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Invocation. The meeting may begin with an invocation by an individual designated by the President.
(b)
Informational presentation. The invocation may be followed with a brief informational presentation by an individual designated by the President.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-4 (2026)
Rule 3-4 Reading of JournalLinkCopy Citation
(a)
In general. The first order of business is the reading of the Journal of the previous meeting.
(b)
Waiver. With the Council’s consent, the reading of the Journal may be omitted.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-5 (2026)
Rule 3-5 Order of businessLinkCopy Citation
(a)
In general. After the reading of the Journal, the order of business is as follows:
(1)
Communications from the Mayor.
(2)
Communications from City Agencies and Others.
(3)
Presentation of Petitions, Memorials, and Other Papers.
(4)
Presentation of Orders.
(5)
Introduction (First Reading) of Bills.
(6)
Consent Calendar.
(7)
Unfinished Business.
(8)
Executive Nominations.
(9)
Committee Reports (Second Reading of Bills).
(10)
Special Orders of the Day.
(11)
Final Passage (Third Reading) of Bills.
(12)
Committee Notices.
(13)
Public Interest Announcements.
(b)
Change in order. The order of business may be amended at any time during the course of a Council meeting by a majority vote of the Councilmembers present.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-6 (2026)
Rule 3-6 MessagesLinkCopy Citation
Messages from the Executive Department may be received at any time except:
(1)
when a question is being put; or
(2)
when the roll is being called.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-7 (2026)
Rule 3-7 Resolutions of City CouncilLinkCopy Citation
A Resolution of the City Council requires two readings, unless a vote to suspend this Rule 3-7 for the purpose of same-day adoption passes as required by Rule 1-3 {“Suspension of Rules”}.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-8 (2026)
Rule 3-8 Petitions, memorials, etcLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Members may present. Petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed to the City Council may be presented by any Councilmember.
(b)
Deadline for presentation.
(1)
All petitions, memorials, and other papers to be presented at a meeting of the City Council shall be filed with the Chief Clerk before noon of the workday preceding that meeting.
(2)
At the President’s discretion, ceremonial resolutions may be accepted until noon of the day of the meeting.
(c)
Entry on Journal. The object of all petitions and memorials shall be entered on the Journal.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 3-9 (2026)
Rule 3-9 Ceremonial resolutionsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Numbering; format.
(1)
Ceremonial resolutions shall be:
(i)
designated “Ceremonial Resolution No. ”; and
(ii)
numbered separately from bills.
(2)
The President or the President’s designee may determine the format in which ceremonial resolutions are to be printed.
(b)
Adoption.
(1)
All ceremonial resolutions shall be:
(i)
listed on the agenda as the Consent Calendar; and
(ii)
except as provided in paragraph (2), voted on as a unit.
(2)
On request of the President or any Councilmember, a ceremonial resolution shall be withdrawn from the Consent Calendar and voted on by roll call vote.