# Chapter 8 – Bill Format and Preparation

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

## Rule 8-1 Sponsor; title

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 8-1 (2026)

The following information shall appear at the top of the 1st page of each bill, below the bill’s heading:

(1) the name or names of the lead sponsor(s) introducing the bill;

(2) The name or names of co-sponsors, if any;

(2) if introduced “by request” of the Administration, the name of the requesting agency, department, or individual;

(3) if introduced “by request” of any other person, the name, address, and contact information of that person; and

(4) the bill’s title.

## Rule 8-2 Symbology

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 8-2 (2026)

(a) Upper-and-lower case. Existing law to remain unchanged is printed in normal upper-and-lower case letters.

(b) Small Caps. New matter to be added to existing law is printed in “SMALL CAPS”.

(c) Brackets. [Matter to be stricken from existing law is enclosed in brackets.]

(d) Underlining. New text added to the bill by amendment is underlined. If the new text would add to existing law, it is both underlined and printed in “SMALL CAPS”.

(e) Strike out. Matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from existing law by amendment, whether in normal upper and lower case or in “SMALL CAPS”, is indicated by strike out.

(f) Underlined italics. Matter added by amendment after the bill is printed for third reading is printed in underlined italics.

## Rule 8-3 Line numbering

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 8-3 (2026)

In the first reading copy and every subsequent copy of a bill, the lines on each page of the bill are to be numbered in the left margin.

## Rule 8-4 Effective date

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 8-4 (2026)

(a) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this rule, all bills shall be drafted to become effective on the 30th day after it is enacted.

(b) Exception. This rule does not apply if the subject matter of a bill requires a different effective date and that date is specified in the bill.

## Rule 8-5 Preparation and endorsement

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 8-5 (2026)

Before a bill may be accepted for introduction:

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

(2) the introductory copy of the bill 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 8-6 Endorsement by cosponsors

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 8-6 (2026)

(a) In general. A councilmember may add their name to legislation as a cosponsor prior to or during introduction of the legislation. The first reader copy of all bills shall list all cosponsors.

(b) Solicitation of cosponsors prior to Council meeting. When the President distributes all bills and reports to Councilmembers in accordance with Rule 3-1 {“Business of the Day”}, the President shall invite Councilmembers who wish to co-sponsor a bill to sign the introductory copy provided.

## Rule 8-7 Refusal of non-complying bill

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 8-7 (2026)

The President may not accept for introduction any bill that fails to conform with the requirements of this chapter.