Charles County Chamber outlines revived legislative breakfast, outreach and review process

Kathy Guzman, president and CEO of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce, told the Charles County delegation on Feb. 21 that the Chamber has revived a legislative breakfast and combined it with a state‑of‑the‑county format to give business owners a moderated Q&A with delegates and senators.

Guzman described how the Chamber’s legislative committee works: staffers screen filed bills, subcommittees (about 13–14) that focus on topic areas (for example, health care and taxes) review bills, and an elected board of directors signs off on the Chamber’s positions before they are published. Guzman named Trudy Obie as the business‑development specialist at Charles County Economic Development who chairs the Chamber’s legislative committee and Jessica Richards (now at the Tri‑County Council) as the staff member responsible for downloading and reviewing bills.

Registration for the March 3 legislative breakfast will include a question‑submission process: registrants submit questions that moderators will review and prioritize. Guzman said the Chamber can adjust the breakfast’s schedule if legislators must leave for Annapolis hearings and offered to share cell contact information to coordinate last‑minute timing changes.

On the Chamber’s use of letters to express positions on bills, Guzman said, “For this year, I don't have any letters that have been sent that have been brought to my attention as of yet.” She said the Chamber has previously sent letters addressed to bill presenters, committee contacts and to the county delegation and that the Chamber would like to add that step back into its process.

Guzman also announced Chamber events and outreach plans: a March 28 inaugural ceremony with the theme “Bet on the Chamber,” and a District 27 night on March 6; she asked delegation members to expect invitations and said Chamber staff will coordinate distribution through delegation leadership if helpful. Guzman emphasized the Chamber’s focus on small and local businesses and said the Chamber is working with local partners, including Charles County Economic Development and county commissioners, to provide pathways for business support.

Delegates and senators on the call discussed timing for more proactive engagement (including earlier fall meetings before the session) and suggested that the Chamber and other local stakeholders (for example, the school board) be included more frequently in the delegation’s priority‑setting discussions to reduce late surprises during the 90‑day session.