Public Information Act - Public Access Ombudsman - Delegation of Powers
HB 331 amends Maryland's Public Information Act to explicitly allow the Public Access Ombudsman to delegate specific powers and duties to staff members within their office. This change directly affects the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman by clarifying its internal operational authority. The key provision (added to Section 4-1B-03(g) of the Maryland Annotated Code) formally authorizes the Ombudsman to assign responsibilities to staff, streamlining the office's ability to manage public records requests and investigations. The bill does not alter public rights or create new obligations for citizens or agencies.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 10, 2025
Signed May 20, 2025
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First - Public Information Act - Public Access Ombudsman - Delegation of Powers
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Third - Public Information Act - Public Access Ombudsman - Delegation of Powers
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2 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add more sponsors and include committee approval and adoption dates. The most significant substantive change is to the delegation of powers section, which now limits the Ombudsman's ability to delegate duties to staff members based on their training and expertise, rather than allowing unrestricted delegation. This change adds accountability by ensuring delegated tasks match staff qualifications.
TECHNICAL
Added additional sponsors to the bill and included committee report and adoption dates indicating the bill has moved forward in the legislative process.
REQUIREMENT
Modified the delegation of powers provision to require that any powers delegated to staff members must be appropriate to their training and expertise, adding a qualification requirement to the delegation process.
Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 20, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 664
executive
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Health and Government Operations
lower
Feb 24, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (133-0-5)
house of delegates
Jan 10, 2025
Committee
First Reading Health and Government Operations
lower
22 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Anne Kaiser
DDemocratic
P
Bonnie Cullison
DDemocratic
P
Brian Chisholm
RRepublican
P
Deni Taveras
DDemocratic
P
Harry Bhandari
DDemocratic
P
Heather Bagnall Tudball
DDemocratic
P
Jamila Woods
DDemocratic
P
Jennifer White Holland
DDemocratic
P
Joseline Peña-Melnyk
DDemocratic
P
Kathy Szeliga
RRepublican
P
Ken Kerr
DDemocratic
P
Lesley Lopez
DDemocratic
P
Matt Morgan
RRepublican
P
Nic Kipke
RRepublican
P
Pam Guzzone
DDemocratic
P
Sandy Rosenberg
DDemocratic
P
Steve Johnson
DDemocratic
P
Teresa Reilly
RRepublican
P
Teresa Woorman
DDemocratic
P
Terri Hill
DDemocratic
P
Tiffany Alston
DDemocratic
P
Tom Hutchinson
RRepublican
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