The State House time machine has been cranking for the last week, as the House and Senate rushed to meet today?s key deadline known as the “crossover” date. Legislation that passes one of the chambers by today is guaranteed a hearing in the body across the hall. Otherwise, sponsors take their chances, and bills can quietly die by inaction.
Last Friday morning, the House recessed until the afternoon of Friday, March 20. Most other places in Maryland on Friday, it was actually March 23. But on the floor of the House of Delegates, it was still “legislative day” March 20. This Assembly time machine saves up “legislative days” toward the end of session. To be enacted, a bill must be read across the desk on three separate “legislative” days, so in a pinch, you can run through three “legislative days” on a single calendar day.
