Detailed Information

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Writing to your elected officials is a powerful way to ensure your voice is heard on the issues that matter most to you. We cannot stress this enough… personalized letters or emails are especially impactful because they highlight how legislation directly affects real people and communities. By sharing specific examples or personal experiences, you help your representative understand why their actions on this issue are so important. 

We’ve created this template as a guide to help you craft a thoughtful, compelling message that communicates your unique perspective and urges your elected official to take action. Please take the time to customize this and let your voice shine through. We know, for certain, personalized messages that come from the heart are very impactful and important.

Calling your elected officials is a direct and impactful way to share your concerns and influence their decisions. A well-prepared call can make a strong impression, especially when you provide specific, personal viewpoints about how an issue affects you or your community. This outline will help you organize your thoughts, ensuring your message is clear, concise, and compelling. By expressing your personal connection to the issue and articulating key points, you can effectively advocate for the changes you want to see. Remember, your voice matters, and your story can inspire action!

• State your name and where you live (e.g., "My name is [Your Name], and I live in [City/Town/County].").
• Mention that you are a constituent of the official's district.

• Clearly state the reason for your call (e.g., "I’m calling to express my support for [Bill Number or Title].").
• Mention the issue at hand and why it is important (e.g., "This legislation is critical to protecting Maryland’s farmland and stopping harmful projects like the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project.").

• Share a brief personal story or connection to the issue (e.g., "As a farmer in [County], this project directly threatens my livelihood and the sustainability of our community.").
• Explain how the legislation will positively impact you, your family, or your community.

• Highlight 2-3 key reasons why the legislation is important.
• Use facts or data if applicable (e.g., "Studies show projects like the MPRP decrease property values and disrupt local ecosystems.").

• Clearly state what you want the official to do (e.g., "I urge you to support [Bill Number or Title] and vote in favor of its passage.").
• Request their commitment to the issue, if appropriate (e.g., "Can I count on you to advocate for this bill in committee hearings?").

• Thank the official or their staff for taking the time to listen to your concerns (e.g., "Thank you for your time and for representing our community.").
• Offer to provide additional information or resources if needed (e.g., "If you need more details or examples, I’d be happy to share them.").

• Leave Contact Information
• Provide your phone number or email in case follow-up is needed (e.g., "You can reach me at [Your Phone Number or Email].").

To learn more about the legislative committees, members, and how to contact the members, please see Committees and Subcommittees. 

Staying informed about bills relevant to your interests is crucial for effective civic engagement. Maryland citizens can track legislation through the Maryland General Assembly website, which offers tools to:

• Search for Bills: Use keywords, bill numbers, or sponsors to locate specific bills.
• View Bill Histories: See the progress of a bill through the legislative process, including committee assignments and votes.
• Subscribe to Alerts: Sign up for notifications about updates on specific bills or topics of interest.

The website also provides access to hearing schedules, fiscal and policy notes, and related documents to keep you informed.

Participating in public hearings is an impactful way to make your voice heard. Here’s how to register:

• Create an Account: Register on the General Assembly’s MyMGA platform to track bills and sign up for testimony opportunities.
• Check Hearing Schedules: Identify hearings for bills you want to testify on through the calendar on the MGA website.
• Sign Up in Advance: Registration typically opens 24–48 hours before a hearing. Use MyMGA to sign up to testify in person or submit written testimony.

Each chamber has specific guidelines for providing testimony, so familiarize yourself with the rules to ensure your participation is accepted. 

 Submitting written testimony is a powerful way to influence legislators and provide a clear, detailed perspective on legislation. Here are step-by-step instructions to help you craft compelling and effective testimony:

1. Start with Your Contact Information

• Include your name, address, phone number, and email at the top of your testimony. This helps legislators identify you as a constituent and provides a way to follow up if needed.

2. Identify the Bill

• Clearly state the bill number and title (e.g., "Testimony in Support of      HB123: Protecting Maryland Farmland"). This ensures your testimony is associated with the correct legislation.

3. Specify Your Position

• In your opening sentence, indicate whether you support, oppose, or are neutral on the bill (e.g., "I am writing to express my strong support for HB123."). Be concise and direct.

4. Introduce Yourself

• Briefly explain who you are and why this issue matters to you. Include relevant details such as:
  • Your connection to the issue (e.g., farmer, landowner, parent, community advocate).
  • Any expertise or experience that adds credibility to your perspective.

5. Explain the Bill’s Impact

• Use 2-3 paragraphs to explain how the bill will affect you, your family, or your community. Be specific:
  • Share a personal story that illustrates the importance of the legislation.
  • Highlight potential benefits or harms the bill could bring.
• Include data or research to support your arguments, if available.

6. Address Potential Counterarguments

• Acknowledge and refute common objections to the bill. Show that you have considered other viewpoints and provide clear reasons why the legislation is necessary or harmful.

7. Call to Action

• End  with a clear request for action (e.g., "I urge you to vote in favor      of HB123 to protect Maryland’s farmland and preserve our rural      communities."). Be polite but firm in your ask.

8. Thank the Legislators

• Conclude by thanking the committee or legislators for their time and consideration of your testimony.

9. Format Your Testimony

• Use   formatting: 12-point font, 1-inch margins, and      single-spacing.
• Save your document as a PDF to preserve formatting if submitting electronically.

10. Submit According to Guidelines

• Check the specific committee’s or legislature’s instructions for submitting testimony:
  • Submission deadlines (often 24–48 hours before the hearing).
  • Whether testimony should be submitted online, by email, or in-person.

Example Closing Statement:

"Thank you for your attention to this important issue. As a [role/connection], I strongly urge you to [support/oppose] [Bill Number]. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need additional information. I look forward to seeing your leadership on this issue."

By following these steps, your written testimony will be clear, persuasive, and impactful in the legislative process.

Making a strong impression during testimony requires preparation and clarity. Follow these tips to maximize your impact:

• Be Concise and Focused: Keep your testimony brief (2-3 minutes) and focused on the main points you want to convey.
• Tell Your Story: Personalize your message with anecdotes or examples to illustrate how the bill affects you or your community.
• Support Your Arguments: Use data, research, or expert opinions to strengthen your case.
• Be Respectful: Address lawmakers formally and remain polite, even when expressing disagreement.
• Practice: Rehearse your testimony to ensure you stay within time limits and communicate confidently.

By tracking legislation, registering to testify, and delivering effective testimony, you play a vital role in shaping Maryland’s laws and advocating for the issues that matter most to you.

Tracking the legislative calendar is essential for staying informed about upcoming meetings, hearings, and key events. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you monitor the Maryland General Assembly’s calendar:

Access the Legislative Calendar

• Visit the Maryland General Assembly’s website: mgaleg.maryland.gov.
• Navigate to the Legislation tab or directly access the Calendar section from the homepage.

View the Daily and Weekly Schedules

• Daily Schedule: Check this for information on committee hearings, bill readings, and voting sessions happening each day.
• Weekly Schedule: Provides an overview of meetings and events planned for the week ahead, helping you plan your engagement in advance.

Search for Specific Hearings or Meetings

• Use the search bar to filter meetings by:
• Bill Number: Locate hearings related to specific legislation.
• Committee Name: Find meetings scheduled for a particular committee (e.g., Environment and Transportation Committee).
• Date: Check events happening on a specific day.

Sign Up for Notifications

• Create an account on the MyMGA platform, where you can:
• Subscribe to updates on bills or topics of interest.
• Receive email alerts when hearings or meetings are scheduled.

Review Meeting Details

Click on a specific meeting or hearing to view:

• Time and Location: Know when and where the meeting will take place (virtual or in-person).
• Agenda: Review the topics or bills being discussed.
• Public Participation Guidelines: Check deadlines for submitting testimony or signing up to speak.

Bookmark or Download the Calendar

Use the website’s tools to:

• Add events to your personal calendar.
• Download PDFs of the schedule for offline access.

Stay Flexible

• Meeting schedules may change due to legislative priorities or unforeseen events. Regularly check the calendar for updates to avoid missing key events.

By monitoring the legislative calendar, you can stay informed, plan your participation, and ensure your voice is heard during Maryland’s legislative session.

To support your understanding of the legislative process and empower effective advocacy, we’ve provided four key reference documents. 

The 2025 Session Bill Introduction Dates outline important deadlines for submitting and introducing legislation, ensuring timely participation. The Explanation of Floor Motions and Legislative Actions defines key procedural motions and actions taken during legislative sessions, helping you follow and interpret legislative progress. The Legislative Lingo glossary demystifies the terminology used in the Maryland General Assembly, making the process more accessible. Finally, the 2025 Legislative Thesaurus serves as a comprehensive index of topics and terms to facilitate tracking and researching legislation. 

These resources are invaluable for anyone seeking to engage in the legislative process effectively and advocate for Maryland’s future.

Outlines key deadlines for introducing legislation during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session:

• January 17: Deadline for requesting bill drafting from the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) to guarantee timely introduction.
• February 3: Senate bill introduction deadline (bills submitted after are sent to the Senate Rules Committee).
• February 7: House bill introduction deadline (late submissions referred to the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee).
• March 3: Final day for introducing bills without requiring suspension of rules 

Provides definitions and explanations for various procedural motions and legislative actions used in the Maryland General Assembly:

• Examples include "Motion to Adjourn Sine Die," "Motion to Lay on the Table," and "Motion to Reconsider."
• Legislative actions such as second and third readings of bills, adoption of amendments, and final enrollment processes are explained​current-motions.

A glossary of legislative terms specific to the Maryland General Assembly:

• Defines terms like "blue back" (original printed bill), "crossfiled bill" (identical bills introduced in both chambers), "guarantee date," and "conference committee."
• Useful for understanding legislative jargon and processes

 A reference tool categorizing subjects and terms to aid in tracking and researching legislation:

• Includes standardized terms like "absentee voting," "emergency bills," "environmental incentives," and "tax credits."
• Each term connects to broader or related topics to enhance search efficiency​current-thesaurus.