# Maryland HB 0101: Public Broadcasters - Debate for Candidates for Statewide Office - Required Participants

Maryland HB 0101, Public Broadcasters - Debate for Candidates for Statewide Office - Required Participants, is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Gary Simmons (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-16 (Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m. (Government, Labor, and Elections)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0101-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland HB 0101
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Public Broadcasters - Debate for Candidates for Statewide Office - Required Participants
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-10-31
- Last action: 2026-01-16, Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m. (Government, Labor, and Elections)
- Sponsor: Gary Simmons (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Elections, Operating Budget, Appropriations, Emergency Bills, Ethics, Governor, Political Candidates, Public Broadcasting Commission, Public Information, Radio, Telecommunications, Television -see also- Cable Television
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Gary Simmons (Democratic), House

## Actions (3)

- 2026-01-16: Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m. (Government, Labor, and Elections) (House)
- 2026-01-14: First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections and Appropriations (House)
- 2025-10-31: Pre-filed (House)

## Bill text

- First Reading, 2026-01-14: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0101f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0101f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
- [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills)
- [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0101-2026RS (as of 2026-10-12).