Be Prepared is the Boy Scout motto and a song from “The Lion King.”

I was not a Boy Scout, and I haven’t seen the musical. (Thanks to Google for the latter.)

But I have prepared for quite a few hearings on my bills.

On the House floor this morning, another delegate asked me to help out on a bill that will be heard in my committee this afternoon.

“Send me the language that’s at issue here,” I responded. “I’ll ask a question at the hearing.”

That exchange prompted me to think about a hearing on one of my bills tomorrow.

House Bill 566 would require that the rental properties of a landlord be in compliance with Maryland’s law regarding lead poisoning prevention if the property owner is applying for an Opportunity Zone Tax Credit.

I wrote a lobbyist for rental property owners: “Will you be testifying in support of House Bill 566 tomorrow?”

Five hours later, no response.

My alternative means of discovery: get a copy of everyone’s written testimony on the bill when it becomes available at 1 pm tomorrow.

That will enable me to respond to the written objections to the bill when I testify.