At its first 2025 organizational meeting, the Ways and Means Committee laid out rules for testimony, introduced new staff and reviewed committee logistics, the committee chair said.

The chair emphasized process changes that affect members, bill sponsors and public witnesses, including a new microphone and closed-captioning system in every committee room, limits and deadlines for oral and written testimony and guidance on amendments, voting packets and subcommittee responsibilities.

The committee’s meeting packet includes staff contact information, an updated snack fee and other housekeeping details that members must return to committee staff, the chair said. The committee also announced a March 20 committee dinner with a $120 per-member charge and said staff attendance at that event will be paid from committee funds.

Closed captioning and audio: The chair told members a new microphone system is in place and that every committee room now has closed captioning. “I can cut you off right here at the mic if necessary,” the chair said, warning that side conversations are picked up by the system.

Testimony and sign-up rules: The committee reiterated that oral testimony and written testimony must be signed up through the Maryland General Assembly website. According to the chair, the website’s oral-signup and written-submission window is open for 10 hours across two calendar days (excluding weekends). Oral testimony is limited to two minutes per witness; the chair said she may shorten that time if an unusually large number of witnesses sign up. The chair said bill sponsors are automatically signed up to testify but must submit written testimony if they want it included in the record.

In-person and virtual testimony: The committee will take in-person witnesses first, beginning with bill sponsors and then witnesses opposed to a bill, before moving to virtual witnesses. The chair said members who sign up as in person cannot switch to virtual at the last minute and vice versa because of staff workload.

Amendments and staff roles: The committee’s analysts will not prepare member amendments; members must route amendment requests through the amendment office, the chair said. Analysts and committee clerks will handle floor reports and live-streaming responsibilities, but printing or copying requests should go to members’ personal staff rather than Ways and Means staff.

Subcommittees and floor reports: Subcommittee chairs are responsible for scheduling, live-streaming and notifying interested parties of meetings. The chair said floor leaders will receive floor reports the afternoon or evening before a bill is expected on the House floor, but asked members to allow analysts and clerks extra time during busy periods.

Attendance and voting: The chair reiterated that members must be present to vote and that voting packets will be emailed to members’ House and personal addresses; members were asked to return a contact-information form so staff can send materials quickly.

Other housekeeping: The packet on members’ desks includes a $70 per-session snack fee (raised $10 from last session) and guidance on kitchen use and reception procedures. The chair introduced new committee staff by name and asked members to welcome Trooper Pettis, who is assigned to the committee. The vice chair praised the chair’s interim leadership and said the committee is preparing for a large session ahead.

No formal votes or motions were recorded during the organizational meeting.