Public Broadcasters - Debate for Candidates for Statewide Office - Required Participants
Sponsor: Gary Simmons (District 12B)Committee: Government, Labor, and ElectionsSubject: ElectionsStatus: Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m. (Government, Labor, and Elections) (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Requiring a public broadcaster that holds a debate between candidates for statewide office to invite all candidates who are certified to the ballot in the general election subject to certain requirements; prohibiting a public broadcaster from using or receiving State funds for the remainder of the fiscal year under certain circumstances; requiring the Governor to approve an amended appropriation to reappropriate State funds from a public broadcaster under certain circumstances; etc.
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Testimony (18)
MGA witness listFAV 14FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendmentsUNF 3Unfavorable
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Antoine, Joannelobbyist | Common Cause Maryland | Oral |
| FAV | Cross, Dr Cashenna A | Councilwoman At-Large, Glenarden | Oral |
| FAV | Tyree, Nikki | LWVMD | Oral |
| FAV | Love, Dayvon | Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle | Oral |
| FAV | Bradshaw, Leland | Maryland Forward Party | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Orbe, Jr., Carlos | Maryland Latinos Unidos | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Carter, Alita-Geri | Qualequity Access | Position only |
| FAV | Delegate Simmons, Delegate Simmonslegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Ellis, Andy | Individual | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Llano, Stephen | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Robinson, Shane | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Simmons, Gary | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Stubblefield, Robert | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Tamas, Bernard | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Cost, Pearson | Brooks Pierce LLP / Maryland-DC-Delaware Broadcasters Association | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Wieland, Tom | Ritchie Pharmacy , Brooklyn Park, Md. | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Snyder, Rebeccalobbyist | Individual | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Butkiewicz, Michael | Individual | Written (PDF) |