WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD (April 14, 2026) – Washington County Government announces procedures regarding in person public comment or testimony for Board of County Commissioners public hearings. This procedure will now be similar to the process used by the Maryland General Assembly and other governments which require the public to sign up in advance to comment or testify in person at a public hearing. This procedure expands the timeframe with which the public may sign up from a short window on the actual day of the public hearing to a longer sign up period of two (2) weeks.
Effective immediately, individuals who wish to provide in person comment or testimony at a public hearing before the Washington County Board of County Commissioners must complete a speaker registration form in advance. The form is available online at: https://www.washco-md.net/county-commissioners/bocc-agendas-and-minutes/public-hearing-sign-up-form/.
Completed forms must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the Monday prior to the scheduled public hearing. Individuals are encouraged to complete the form accurately and within the required timeframe. Failure to pre-register or provide complete and accurate information may result in an individual not being permitted to provide in person comment or testimony at the public hearing.
Written comments may be emailed or mailed according to the advertised public hearing notice. Written comments must be received prior to the start of the public hearing, subject to the discretion of the Board.
For additional information, please contact Washington County’s Public Relations & Marketing Department at [email protected].
###
