Public Hearing Frequently Asked Questions
Montgomery County residents are very much a part of the Council's decision-making process. Whether the decision is a new law, a master plan, or the budget, Council rules and procedures provide for the consideration of views received at public hearings, by mail, e-mail, by telephone, or in person.
- The Councilmembers review all testimony as part of their deliberations.
- Testimony provided during the live public hearings are available on the Council Meetings page. A separate audio, video or written submission is not required.
Access for Individuals with Disabilities
Visitor Information
Council Office Building and Hearing Room Use
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Montgomery County Council provides reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to testify at public hearings. Email [email protected] or call the public hearing line (240-777-7803) at least five business days prior to the public hearing date to request an ADA accommodation (MD Relay - Dial 711 or 800-201-7165).
The Council also provides interpretation services if needed. Contact Bertha Cerzosimo (240-777-7871) or Lucia Jimenez (240-777-7832) at least five business days prior to the public hearing date to request interpretation services.
While we will make every effort to accommodate requests, late requests for an accommodation or interpretation services may not be able to be processed or accommodated. Please note that if we are unable to make a requested accommodation you may submit written, video, or audio testimony or mail sent to 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850.
- Community members are encouraged to participate in all Council public hearings and there are multiple ways to provide testimony.
The Council offers free subscriptions to the weekly mailing of the Council and committee agendas by regular mail or e-mail, and the cable television schedule of broadcasts of Council sessions. To get on the mailing list, call Legislative Information Services (LIS) at (240) 777-7910 or e-mail the Council at [email protected].
The following documents are available for examination 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the LIS office, Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. Copies are made for a charge of 10 cents a page. Copies of background papers for many of the items currently before the Council are available free of charge.
Minutes: LIS can provide access to minutes of all Council and Council Committee sessions from 1884 to the present. A computerized index makes it possible to access minutes since 1971 by subject.
Voting Records: For voting records from 2002 click on the Summary of Council Actions . For voting records before 2002, please visit our Legislative Information office at 100 Maryland Avenue, during regular business hours.
Council and Committee Packets: These are the staff papers and background material presented to the Council for each agenda item of Council and Committee sessions. Current staff reports are available on the website two business days before the meeting. Also, current packets are available for examination and copies are made on request. Free copies are available on the day of the meeting. Packets for previous Council meetings are available on microfilm.
Legislative Bill and Public Hearing Files: For every action item for which there has been a public hearing, there is a file containing staff papers, drafts, correspondence received, amendments, etc. These are available for examination. Older public hearing files are available on microfilm.
Council Agendas and Committee Agendas: There are chronological files of agendas; older editions are available on microfilm.
Incoming Correspondence: With very rare exceptions, all correspondence addressed to the Council or to the Council President is available for public examination. (The law provides that certain documents regarding personnel, land acquisitions, or attorney/client advice may or must be kept confidential.) There is a daily mail log and correspondence may be retrieved by subject, date, or name of correspondent. There are also chronological reading files.
State Legislation:LIS can assist you in obtaining copies and information about State Legislation and General Assembly activities.
The County Council is a public body, so its activities are governed by strict requirements of the State "sunshine law," which requires open sessions for all meetings with certain prescribed exceptions. The Council generally meets each Tuesday beginning at 9:00 a.m. and in committees on Mondays and Thursdays. Almost all Council sessions are open to the public and are broadcast live and repeated on the County Government cable channel, Montgomery Cable 6. Some committee sessions of special public interest are also broadcast.
The laws strictly define the circumstances when the Council is either required or permitted to go into a "closed session." These include, for example, the discussion of personnel issues such as performance or selection, to discuss the purchase of land by the government, or to receive advice from attorneys.
Major decisions of the Council are governed by the same procedures that apply to legislation: the measure is introduced in public session, a public hearing is advertised and held, there are public Committee and/or Council work sessions, and the final decision is made in a public session.
Ex parte communications are communications made to influence a decision-making official off the record and out of the presence of other parties. More information on Ex Parte Communications.