Ch. 636

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) Each bill that is sent under this subsection shall be considered as filed
for introduction.

2-1504. Synopses of bills.

(a)     For each regular or special session of the General Assembly, the Department
of Legislative [Reference] SERVICES shall prepare and distribute, in serial order:

(1)     a synopsis of each Senate bill that is introduced; and

(2)     a synopsis of each House bill that is introduced.

(b)     [(l)]If the Department [of Legislative Reference] determines that a bill
imposes a mandate on a local government unit, the synopsis shall include a statement that
"This bill imposes a mandate on a local government unit."

[(2) In determining if a bill imposes a mandate on a local government unit,
the Department of Legislative Reference may seek assistance and advice from the
Department of Fiscal Services.]

2-1505. Fiscal notes and waivers.

(a)     Except as otherwise provided in this section, a committee may not vote on a
bill unless:

(1)     a fiscal note accompanies the bill; and

(2)     if the bill affects the funding of a State pension system, an actuarial
analysis of the bill is attached to or summarized in the note or the analysis is waived.

(b)     (1) If a bill affects the funding of a State pension system and the standing
committee to which the bill is referred determines that the fiscal impact on the State
warrants an actuarial analysis of the bill, the standing committee shall ask the
Department of [ Fiscal] LEGISLATIVE Services to obtain the actuarial analysis.

(2) The standing committee may waive the actuarial analysis if the standing
committee certifies that prompt action on the bill is needed to conduct legislative
business.

(c)     (1) The Director of, the Department of [Fiscal] LEGISLATIVE Services
shall have that Department prepare a fiscal note for each bill.

(2)     If the chairman of the committee to which a bill is referred certifies that
prompt committee action on the bill is needed to conduct legislative business and, before
the Department prepares the fiscal note for the bill, holds a hearing on the bill, the
Department shall prepare the note as soon after the hearing as possible.

(3)     When a standing committee asks for an actuarial analysis of a bill that
affects a State pension system, the Department of [Fiscal] LEGISLATIVE Services shall:

(i) obtain the analysis; and

(ii) summarize the analysis in the fiscal note or attach the analysis to
the note.

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