ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Those who wish to watch the Maryland General Assembly’s machinations live but can’t make it to Annapolis will have a new feed to binge watch next year.
Beginning in 2020, the House of Delegates' floor sessions will be live-streamed during that year’s legislative session, Speaker Michael E. Busch, House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga and Delegate David Moon announced Tuesday.
“Through livestreaming, Marylanders will be able to see, and not just hear, our floor sessions to have a better understanding of the work in the People’s House,” Speaker Busch said in a statement. “Transparency is key to an open and free government, and I have no doubt that embracing this technology in the House Chamber will improve the public’s accessibility to the legislature and allow our communities to be more engaged in the process.”
Installation of the necessary equipment began in 2018. The broadcasts will be produced in partnership with Maryland Public Television starting in the next session.
“I applaud Speaker Busch for standing up for transparency and all Maryland citizens who deserve to see with their own eyes exactly how and why their representatives are voting,” said House Minority Whip Szeliga. “Maryland has had the notorious distinction of being one of only seven states barring video from either chamber for far too long. We will finally modernize the House. This is a common sense and bipartisan effort – something legislators of both parties strongly support.”
