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Bill would set Maryland rules for any Article V convention delegation; sponsor says it does not call a convention
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Summary
HB 785, introduced for Delegate Mark Fisher, would establish selection, compensation, subject-matter limits, reporting and removal rules for commissioners Maryland might send to an Article V convention; presenter Steve Patton stressed the bill does not authorize or call a convention.
Maxwell Middleton introduced House Bill 785 to the Rules committee on behalf of Delegate Mark Fisher; Steve Patton of Convention of States Action presented the bill's provisions. Patton said HB 785 focuses on "faithful commissioner" legislation — it would define delegate authority, compensation, binding subject-matter limits, reporting requirements and a removal mechanism should a commissioner exceed the scope set by the General Assembly.
Patton repeatedly said HB 785 "does not call a convention" and "does not endorse any specific amendment; it simply ensures that when Maryland participates in a constitutional dialogue, it does so with clarity, discipline, and accountability." He argued putting these rules in place ahead of any Article V activity would spare the General Assembly from a rushed special session to set delegation rules if a convention call occurs.
Committee questions focused on contingency planning: Delegate Shelegger asked whether a special session would be necessary if a convention were called before Maryland had set guidelines; Patton said the Assembly would need to move quickly in that scenario and that HB 785 is intended to preempt that urgency.
Ending: The committee closed the HB 785 hearing after questions; the bill's supporters emphasized it sets internal legislative guardrails rather than initiating a convention.
