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Subcommittee discusses amendment that would require both print and digital public notices; vote deferred
Summary
The Judiciary Committee’s Civil Law Subcommittee debated House Bill 74 and an amendment that would change statutory notice language from “or” to “and,” making publication required in both print and digital formats when both exist. The subcommittee agreed to revisit the proposal at a future meeting.
The Civil Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee discussed House Bill 74 on publication of public notices and agreed to take the measure up for a vote at a later meeting.
Chairman Delegate Carden opened discussion of House Bill 74 and asked proponents and opponents to weigh in. Lorenzo Bellamy proposed an amendment that would replace “or” with “and” in the bill’s notice provisions on page 2, lines 16 and 18, so that notices would be published in both print and digital versions when both are available. "The amendment ... would basically just strike the word or, where it says print, or digital and strike that to say and," Bellamy said.
Rebecca Snyder, representing the Maryland-DC Press Association, described the bill as intended to recognize the blended print-and-digital products used by many local papers. "This bill is meant to allow publication in the digital version of the customary publications that are already being utilized for public notice," Snyder said, adding that the draft contemplates a situation where no print publication exists and digital-only publication would be allowed.
Delegate Embry noted the amendment’s likely practical effect. "This does mean that all online publications do not have that unless unless they don't exist, unless there's no print in the locality," Embry said, referencing outlets such as the Baltimore Banner that publish digital-only editions.
Members pressed for clarity on timing language in the bill, with several pointing to a clause (page 2, line 20) that addresses situations where no print publication exists. Holly, a State Bar representative participating in the meeting, explained the Dorchester County model that helped shape the draft: some counties publish only weeklies and commissioners wanted the option to start statutorily prescribed timing with the digital posting of notices.
Chairman Carden said he would confirm with the bill sponsor about the proposed amendment and bring the item back for a vote at the next meeting. No formal committee vote was taken on House Bill 74 during this session.
