Chapter 9 – Bill Introduction
Current through 2024. Source: DLR publication. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 9-1 (2026)
Rule 9-1 “Hopper Rule”LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In general. For a Councilmember to introduce a bill at a Council meeting, the member shall:
(1)
verbally or in writing authorize the Department of Legislative Reference to submit the bill to the President’s Office for introduction; and
(2)
give approval to the Department of Legislative Reference to file the necessary documents with the President or the President’s designee before noon of the 3rd workday preceding the meeting at which the bill is to be introduced.
(b)
Lack of approval. Until the Department of Legislative Reference has received verbal or written approval by the Councilmember, the bill will not be considered as having been filed.
(c)
Late filing. A bill filed after the deadline for a meeting may not be introduced at that meeting unless a majority of all Councilmembers (8) consent to its introduction.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 9-2 (2026)
Rule 9-2 IntroductionLinkCopy Citation
A bill is introduced when its title is read for the first time.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 9-3 (2026)
Rule 9-3 NumberingLinkCopy Citation
(a)
In general. All bills are to be numbered in the order of their introduction.
(b)
Numbering scheme.
(1)
Bill numbers comprise:
(i)
a 2-digit prefix, indicating the year of introduction;
(ii)
a 3- or 4-digit number, indicating the sequence of introduction.
(2)
Resolution numbers comprise:
(i)
a 2-digit prefix, indicating the year of introduction;
(ii)
a 3- or 4-digit number, indicating the sequence of introduction; and
(iii)
the letter “R”.
(3)
The numbers for bills proposing Ordinances or Resolutions of the Mayor and City Council begin in each elective term of the Council with xx-001 and continue in an unbroken numerical sequence through the end of that term.
(4)
The numbers for bills proposing Resolutions of the City Council begin in each elective term of the Council with xx-001R and continue in an unbroken numerical sequence through the end of that term.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 9-4 (2026)
Rule 9-4 DistributionLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Introductory copies. On introduction of a bill, the introductory copy and all supplemental documents to be included with a bill are distributed to the following:
(1)
the President or the President’s designee for retention;
(2)
the Department of Legislative Reference for permanent filing;
(3)
the Office of Council Services; and
(4)
upon request, City agencies and the public.
(b)
Copies posted. The introductory copy of a bill and any supplemental documents to be included with the bill shall be posted by the Office of Council Services or the Department of Legislative Reference on the legislative public information portal no later than 48 hours after the meeting of the Council at which the bill was introduced.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 9-5 (2026)
Rule 9-5 Corrected copiesLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Directive to correct. Whenever the President discovers that a bill has not been published or prepared in accordance with these Rules, the President may direct the Department of Legislative Reference to publish a corrected version.
(b)
Substitution of corrected copy. When a bill is corrected under this rule:
(1)
the 1st page of each bill shall be labeled to indicate that the document is a corrected version; and
(2)
the bill then is restored to the place it held when the directive was given.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 9-6 (2026)
Rule 9-6 Committee and agency referralsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
In general. On introduction of a bill, unless a majority of the Councilmembers present directs otherwise, the President shall refer the bill to:
(1)
the committee the President considers appropriate;
(2)
all City agencies required by law to review and report on the bill; and
(3)
any other City agencies that the President selects to review and report on the bill.
(b)
No impact. If a City agency is referred a bill that does not apply to or will have no impact on the agency, the agency shall submit a report stating that there is no impact on the agency.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 9-7 (2026)
Rule 9-7 Erroneous committee referralLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Scope. This rule applies to a bill that has been referred to the wrong committee.
(b)
Action by President. Within 2 meeting days of the referral, the President may direct the committee chair to return a bill to the Council for re-referral.
(c)
Action by committee. If, at any time, a committee determines by a majority vote of its members that a bill referred to it should properly be heard by another committee, the committee shall return the bill to the Council with its recommendation for re-referral.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 9-8 (2026)
Rule 9-8 Bill FileLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Office of Council Services shall keep and make available to the Council and the public a bill file for each bill introduced to the Council.
(b)
The bill file for each bill shall be created and posted on the legislative public information portal within 24 hours of the bill’s introduction and shall be updated as the bill progresses through the legislative process.
(c)
The bill file must include the following:
(1)
the bill number;
(2)
the lead sponsor(s) who introduced the bill or the person(s) who requested the President introduce the bill;
(3)
the co-sponsors of the bill, who shall be listed separately from the lead sponsor(s) or person(s) who requested the bill;
(4)
the date of introduction;
(5)
the short and long titles of the bill;
(6)
the committee to which the bill was assigned;
(7)
the agencies to which the bill was referred;
(8)
copies of any written testimony submitted in regards to the bill;
(9)
any relevant supporting documents that accompany the bill;
(10)
all amendments considered by a committee and the Council;
(11)
a voting record for each amendment considered by the Council;
(12)
a copy of each agency report submitted regarding a bill;
(13)
documentation of all actions taken by the committee and the City Council; and
(14)
the results of each roll call vote taken on the bill.