Read more about the article Special Session Preview: Bill Language, Testimony Details, and What’s Ahead
Elections / General Assembly News
Special Session Preview: Bill Language, Testimony Details, and What’s Ahead

As previously reported on Conduit Street, Maryland lawmakers will return to Annapolis August 3-5 for a special legislative session focused exclusively on congressional redistricting. HB 2100 / SB 2100 would place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot asking voters to change how Maryland handles future congressional redistricting. The General Assembly has scheduled a joint hearing of the House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee and the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee for Monday,…

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July 30, 2026
Read more about the article Presiding Officers: Special Session Limited to Redistricting
County News / Feature / General Assembly News
Presiding Officers: Special Session Limited to Redistricting

Maryland legislative leaders have directed the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) to accept bill drafting requests for the August 3-5 Special Session only if they relate directly to congressional redistricting. In a letter to members of the General Assembly, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk said the Special Session is being reconvened for the limited purpose of considering legislation related to congressional redistricting standards. To keep the session focused on that purpose,…

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July 21, 2026
Read more about the article DLS Releases Updated Legislative Drafting Manual
General Assembly News / News You Can Use
DLS Releases Updated Legislative Drafting Manual

The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) has released the 2026 Legislative Drafting Manual, an updated guide to Maryland's legislative drafting process. The manual explains how bills are drafted, amended, and enacted. It outlines Maryland's constitutional framework for legislation, drafting conventions, bill structure, effective dates, local legislation, fiscal provisions, and common drafting pitfalls. It also covers the practical side of the legislative process, including bill requests, amendments, reporting requirements, and special provisions commonly used in legislation.…

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July 15, 2026
Read more about the article Special Session Set for August To Consider Congressional Redistricting Proposal
General Assembly News / News You Can Use / Summer Conference
Special Session Set for August To Consider Congressional Redistricting Proposal

Legislative leaders have announced a special session of the Maryland General Assembly for August 3-5 to consider legislation proposing a constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting. If approved by a three-fifths vote of both the Senate and House of Delegates, the proposal would appear on the November 2026 General Election ballot for voters to decide whether to amend the Maryland Constitution. The announcement follows recent federal court decisions involving the Voting Rights Act and congressional redistricting,…

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July 8, 2026
Read more about the article News or Noise: Maryland Primaries, Power Shifts, and What Comes Next
County Government and Structure / County News / General Assembly News
News or Noise: Maryland Primaries, Power Shifts, and What Comes Next

This month’s News or Noise dives into the biggest political developments coming out of Maryland’s June primary elections, and what they could mean for county government, legislative priorities, and the 2027 General Assembly.   Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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July 2, 2026
Read more about the article DLS Releases 2023-2026 Major Issues Review
General Assembly News / News You Can Use
DLS Releases 2023-2026 Major Issues Review

The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) has released its 2023-2026 Major Issues Review, a comprehensive look at the significant legislation, budget decisions, and policy issues considered by the General Assembly over the last four-year legislative term. For counties, the report provides valuable context on many of the issues that shaped recent legislative sessions and will continue to drive policy discussions in the years ahead. The report covers virtually every major topic before the General Assembly,…

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July 2, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Seeks 2027 Legislative Initiative Proposals by July 10
County News / Feature / General Assembly News / News You Can Use
MACo Seeks 2027 Legislative Initiative Proposals by July 10

MACo welcomes proposals for legislative priorities for the 2027 legislative session. Each year, MACo selects up to four priorities to advance through the General Assembly. These initiatives reflect county needs and promote practical, statewide solutions. In recent years, MACo initiatives have focused on infrastructure investment, modernizing local revenue structures, housing tools for counties, and emergency response capacity (view MACo’s 2026 Initiatives for examples). MACo will soon send a formal request for submissions to counties. In…

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June 25, 2026
Read more about the article Special Session Talk Grows as Leaders Eye July Timeline
Elections / General Assembly News
Special Session Talk Grows as Leaders Eye July Timeline

Legislative leaders may bring lawmakers back to Annapolis later this summer to address congressional redistricting and election-related issues. House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk recently asked lawmakers to reserve time in their schedules between mid-July and early August while House and Senate leadership determine whether to convene a special session. Leadership identified July 16-22 and July 30-August 5 as potential dates, with a preference for the earlier timeframe. Speaker Peña-Melnyk and Senate President Bill Ferguson plan to…

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June 17, 2026
Read more about the article The Briefing Room Ep 4: The Data Center Dilemma
County News / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Feature / General Assembly News / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations
The Briefing Room Ep 4: The Data Center Dilemma

In Episode 4 of The Briefing Room, we continue our five-part energy series with a closer look at one of the fastest-growing and most controversial issues facing state and local governments: data centers.   Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!  

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June 2, 2026
Read more about the article May in Maryland: What’s News, What’s Noise?
County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Elections / Energy / Environment / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
May in Maryland: What’s News, What’s Noise?

We're back with another special edition of the Conduit Street Podcast, with the MACo team taking up several issues from this month's headlines, and trying to sort out which are the real stories (news) and which are more smoke than fire (noise). Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!  

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May 29, 2026
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