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.…

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,…