Maryland General Assembly

 The Maryland General Assembly meets annually for a 90-day session, beginning in January and concluding in April. During this period, legislators introduce, debate, and vote on bills that could affect notarial practices. Understanding the timeline of this session is crucial for notaries who want to stay ahead of legislative changes. The session starts in January, with pre-filing of bills occurring in December and the deadline for bill proposals set at the end of January. As bills progress through the legislative process, they reach critical points such as committee hearings, which typically take place from February to March. These hearings are essential opportunities for notaries to provide input and influence proposed legislation.  

Mid-March marks the crossover deadline, the date by which bills must pass one chamber (House or Senate) to move to the other. This is a key milestone for tracking the progress of relevant legislation. The session wraps up in early April, a period often marked by a flurry of legislative activity as lawmakers work to pass remaining bills and resolutions. Following the session's conclusion, attention shifts to the Governor, who signs bills into law from April through May. Monitoring these signing dates is crucial for notaries to understand when new laws will take effect and how they might impact their work.