Every committee in Annapolis has a pre-meeting meeting.

The leadership meets before a public voting session to discuss the bills the full committee will be considering.

The result is a voting list with up arrows for bills where a favorable report is recommended, down arrows for an unfavorable report, and both up and down arrows for a bill with no recommendation – a jump ball.

My bill to broaden the protections against frivolous lawsuits against individuals exercising their First Amendment rights is a jump ball.

This afternoon, I tried to persuade my colleagues one or two at time.  It helped me refine my argument.

At the voting session this evening, House Bill 263 received a favorable report.  The vote was unanimous!

Democracy in action.