ANNAPOLIS -- General Assembly leaders announced plans yesterday to hold five public hearings around Maryland in early December to solicit public opinion on state spending and tax priorities.

Legislators want ideas from Maryland citizens before they sit down with the governor to devise a plan to extricate Maryland from its budget problems. Maryland faces a deficit now estimated at $850 million over the next 18 months.

Documents summarizing the state's budget problems are available to the public in advance. Advance sign-up with the Department of Fiscal Services (841-3710 in Baltimore, 858-3710 in Washington, (800) 492-7122, Ext. 3710, for the rest of the state) is requested. Witnesses are encouraged to provide one written copy of their testimony.

The meetings will be from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The schedule is:

* Dec. 2, Annapolis, Joint Hearing Room, Legislative Services Building.

* Dec. 3, Rockville, Montgomery Community College, Rockville campus, Fine Arts Building.

* Dec. 4, Baltimore, Poly Western Auditorium.

* Dec. 5, Wye Mills, Chesapeake Community College, Room H-117.

* Dec. 9, Hagerstown, Hagerstown Junior College Theatre.