Maryland General Assembly - Daily Legislative Session Blog 2024

Day 90 - April 8, 2024 - SINE DIE

11:15 p.m. update - The PORT Act passed unanimously in the Senate to concur on the House amendments, sending it to the governor's desk.
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11:01 p.m. update - A couple of bills that have passed this evening, the Pimlico Plus bill will make its way to the governor's desk as well as the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act.
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The 2024 legislative session ends tonight at midnight, whether or not the bills lawmakers want pass.

The budget bill has passed, meaning lawmakers won't be held to finish negotiating it.

The Juvenile Law Reform bill has passed, as well as local control of BPD, the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, the Tenant Safety Act of 2024, and a bill establishing the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention in the state.

The Pimlico Plus bill, a "hot potato" as the Senate President referred to it passed, with amendments, on third reader. That sends the bill back to the House for concurrence.

The PORT Act has passed out of the Economic Matters Committee, but still needs second and third reading to get through tonight.

Some of the other bills we are keeping an eye on for passage tonight include SB2, the NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act which would require a Child In Need of Services petition to be filed if a child under 13 is alleged to have killed someone.

Also, HB513, the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024 and HB763 the Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention - Membership and Sunset.

Around 5:40 p.m., Governor Wes Moore came to thank the legislature for their hard work this session.

Day 87 - April 5, 2024

We're nearing the end of the legislative session and both the House and Senate spent the morning busily making their way through bills.

Last night, the Senate passed a compromise version of the Juvenile Reform bill, that is expected to get concurrence in the House. Meanwhile the House version of the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act is also being reviewed in the House, after having been amended by the Senate.

That doesn't mean that it's smooth sailing ahead for everything though. There have been several bills that have required conference committees to be appointed to get through differences between the chambers.

And there are still some late file bills that still need a push to make it through.

HB1524, or the Pimlico Plus bill, was today referred to the Budget and Taxation Committee from the Rules Committee in the Senate, for being a late-filed bill.

The Senate version of the PORT Act is still in the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, where it needs to be referred to a committee for a bill hearing. The House version had its House committee bill hearing yesterday.

Lawmakers are looking at a long weekend ahead.

Day 86 - April 4, 2024

Another long day ahead for lawmakers in Annapolis today as Sine Die inches closer.

The House Economic Matters Committee is expected to hear testimony on the House version of the PORT Act.

There's a 3 p.m. conference committee on the budget, which could wrap up the amendments to the bill now that a deal has been reached between the chambers.

Day 85 - April 3, 2024

As we come down to the wire, Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson released a joint statement ona deal that has been reached on the budget.

As of 12:30 p.m. today, 289 bills have passed both chambers.

The Senate has unanimously passed HB732, which would make progress toward putting BPD under local control instead of the state.

The House has passed SB119, which would add gender-affirming treatment to legally protected health care, as well as SB475, which creates the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention.

The Senate got the PORT Act through on third reader, unanimously, which sends it to the House. The House version has a bill hearing on the bill Thursday.

The Judicial Proceedings Committee also passed the Juvenile Law Reform bill during an evening voting session, after amending it to a compromise version between the House and Senate.

Day 84 - April 2, 2024

This blog was not updated between March 26 and April 1 due to continuing coverage of the Key Bridge Collapse. Today's post will include a brief overview of what has happened.

On Monday, April 1st, the Governor had to issue a proclamation potentially extending the session in case budget negotiations go longer than Sine Die. Per the state's constitution, if the legislature doesn't take final action on the 7th to last day of session, the proclamation extending session is required.

Lawmakers also put together a couple of bills to address the Key Bridge collapse, including SB1188, the PORT Act which will be heard in a Finance Committee bill hearing today, April 2.

The Pimlico Plus bill, HB1524, another late-filed bill passed in House of Delegates 104-33 on Monday, April 1.

The Judicial Proceedings Committee also passed both the House and Senate versions for the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act, making them the same.

Both the House and Senate versions of the Juvenile Reform laws are in their opposite chamber committees. The House Judiciary committee held a hearing on Tuesday, March 26, but hasn't yet voted. The Senate's Judicial Proceedings committee hasn't held a bill hearing on the House version.

So far, 174 bills have passed both chambers.

Day 75 - March 25, 2024

We are now three-quarters of the way through the Legislative Session and after a crazy crossover day last Monday, we're back to 8 p.m. Monday starts for both the House and Senate.

The Senate has some second readers on the agenda for tomorrow, but nothing on the agenda for tonight, as of 6:15 p.m. The House is in the same position.

Day 72 - March 22, 2024

A very quick day in both the House and Senate, as both chambers convened in pro-forma sessions only.

Day 71 - March 21, 2024

The Senate voted through a bill post-crossover day to alter the distance restrictions for licensed cannabis dispensaries, in a 34-13 vote.
Lawmakers from both parties also showed off mismatched socks in the State Capitol today in honor of World Down Syndrome Day.

MORE: MGA advances bill allowing AG to sue gun industry

Day 70 - March 20, 2024

A budget-heavy day in Annapolis as the House and Senate discuss tax and fee increases.

Day 69 - March 19, 2024

A quieter day at the State Capitol today, with the excitement of crossover in the rearview mirror.

Most bill hearings moving forward will be bill sponsor only, but the big exception to that today was HB1524, which was introduced last week. The bill is the codification of the Pimlico Plus plan and was heard in the Ways and Means Committee today.

Day 68 - March 18, 2024 - CROSSOVER DAY

Annapolis has made it to Crossover Day, when bills must pass the chamber in which they were originally introduced to proceed, without rules being suspended.

The bills we're seeing that have made it through this crossover day include a heavily amended version of HB763 - Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention - Membership and Sunset.

The original version of the bill, sponsored by Baltimore City Delegate Dalya Attar, would have removed the organization CAIR from the Commission and replaced their representative with two representatives of the Muslim community. The bill was amended to remove all the organizations representing communities, and instead require that 15 people who represent communities of protected classes of individuals, such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The amendments also add a date to sunset the Commission.

Another bill that passed both versions in their originating chambers today will hand over control of BPD back to the City of Baltimore.

Day 65 - March 15, 2024

Another busy day for the House and Senate, this time heading into the weekend, with crossover day just around the corner.
Getting bills through their original chamber is essential if the legislature doesn't want to have to suspend the rules to get a bill through.

Meanwhile,House and Senate leadership are deep in a debate over whether or not to raise taxes with an anticipated structural deficit looming.

Day 64 - March 14, 2024

As lawmakers in Annapolis work hard to get bills through their chambers before crossover day, the administration dropped a brand new bill that will almost definitely need the rules suspended to make it through.

MORE: Charging Ahead, upgrade plan for Pimlico races to Annapolis

The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority brought forward HB1524 which is the Pimlico Plus plan that was unveiled in January.

Also on Thursday, opponents of the Juvenile Justice bill called on the Governor to veto itif the bill makes it to his desk.

Day 63 - March 13, 2024

Though Senate President Ferguson said the Senate version of the Road Worker Protection Act of 2024 (SB479) would make it out of the Senate this week, it failed to proceed in committee vote, yet again today.

Meanwhile, the budget bill, SB360 passed on second reader and several amendments. There were several items on the agenda for the Senate on Wednesday that the Senate did not get to.

In the House, the Maryland Kids Code passed second reader, as did a bill to prohibit naming property owned by the state to be named after Confederates. The Freedom to Read Act also passed on second reader, after three floor amendments were rejected.

Extending the CORE Partnership fund passed on third reader in the House in a 104-32 vote. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (HB1229) also passed on third reader unanimously. The Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act also passed on third reader, in a 134-2

Day 62 - March 12, 2024

On Tuesday, the Senate got the Freedom to Read Act through Second Reader, as well as a couple bills dealing with speed monitoring systems in Baltimore County and renaming the Port of Baltimore.

In the House, delegates passed a bill to extend the CORE Partnership fund and the Protecting State Waters from PFAS Act on second readers.

Also passing on second reader in the House is a bill that would establish a Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances. The renaming of the Port of Baltimore passed on third reader in the House.

House Bill 513, the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act of 2024 also passed on third reader, 99-38.

And the Lt. Governor marked Equal Pay Day with other leaders and lawmakers, highlighting the current gender wage gap in Maryland.

Day 61 - March 11, 2024

Monday floor sessions start at 8 p.m., but several committees were busy with voting sessions on Monday with just a week left until crossover day.

MORE: Delegates debate proposal to put 5% tax on services, lower sales tax

Day 58 - March 8, 2024

Senate Joint Resolution 1, affirming the Federal Equal Rights Amendment, passed the chamber Friday in a 37-10 vote. Some other bills that made it past the last hurdle in the Senate were, SB705, the Access to Care Act which would allow undocumented immigrants purchase health insurance on the state's exchange and SB1 which is a consumer protection bill around electricity and gas.

The House also got bills over to the Senate chamber on Friday.

The Education, Energy and the Environment committee heard bills ranging from making persimmons the state fruit to a joint resolution on the use of nuclear weapons.

Day 57 - March 7, 2024

On Thursday, a debate was held by lawmakers on bills that would improve the quality of life for inmates. One of the bills, sponsored by Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, would allow people serving a felony sentence to vote.

"Legislators who are weighing in on a number of bills and incarcerated individuals or incarcerated voters should be able to weigh in on who these representatives are that are making decisions on their behalf," said Joanne Antoine, executive director of Common Cause Maryland.

Another bill would eliminate the costs for people in prison making phone calls. That bill is sponsored by both Senator Jeff Waldstreicher and Delegate Kent Roberson.

Day 56 - March 6, 2024

Today, Delegate Marlon Amprey held a press conference on the PACE Act, HB1429, which would limit the use of creative expression of a criminal defendant against them in court.

"We're here because of justice, we're here because of inequities, and unfortunately, we're here today because of racism," said Amprey in a press conference in support of the bill.

Also on Wednesday, Access to Care Act was debated on the Senate floor, and a bill to increase regulation on crematoriums in Maryland was heard in committee.

Day 55 - March 5, 2024

Baltimore City had several bills on the docket Tuesday, including a bill discussing BPD local control (SB894), extending the CORE Partnership Fund for reducing vacants in Baltimore (HB1334) and a bill that would create the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority Task Force (HB897).

The day ended with a Baltimore advocacy day in Annapolis.

Also on Tuesday, lawmakers heard testimony on expanding criminal penalties for the distribution of fentanyl that results in death, otherwise known as Victoria and Scottie's Law.

Day 54 - March 4, 2024

On Monday, the Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 744, the Juvenile Law - Reform bill on third reader, in a 43-2 vote, during the evening floor session.
There was also a long bill hearing for the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee which heard several joint resolutions, including HJ2, a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. Dozens of witnesses testified for hours with the majority being in favor of the resolution.

Day 51 - March 1, 2024

Several committees held voting sessions today, a few held bill hearings, with even the Governor testifying on the ENOUGH Act today.

The Governor at the beginning of his testimony, thanked law enforcement for their quick response and for keeping everyone safe yesterday during the security threat at the State Capitol.

MORE: Maryland State House to add emergency text alert system

House Speaker Adrienne Jones also thanked law enforcement toward the beginning of the floor session and the lockdown came up a few times during the debate over the bills.

There was heated debate on a few third reader bills on the House Floor, including HB814, which is the juvenile law reform bill. It passed on third reader, 126-6.

The ACLU of Maryland released a statement thanking the six delegates who voted against that bill.

Another bill that prompted some gavel-pounding and heated conversation was HB615, a bill that limits what disruptive behavior can be criminalized in schools for students at the school. That bill also passed 94-38.

Juvenile Proceedings had a voting session where several bills had to be held while they waited for the budget to be finalized.

Day 50 - February 29, 2024

This leap day, Sesame Street's Big Bird made a brief appearance on the chamber floors in honor of Read Across America Day.

On the Senate floor today, lawmakers heard and adopted several amendments to SB744, the Senate's version of the juvenile law reform bill. Only one introduced amendment was formally rejected, which would have made changes to the Child Interrogation Protection Act. Another amendment, dealing with the juvenile sex offender registry, was withdrawn when the Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee agreed to work on it in another bill.

MORE: "Confusing and unworkable," Maryland's Chief Justice argues against renter protection bill

Also passed on the Senate floor for second reader today was SB2, the NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act, which would require a Child in Need of Services petition be filed by a law enforcement officer when a child under 13 is suspected to have killed someone.

The House Economic Matters Committee was scheduled to hear HB864, a bill dealing with energy efficiency and conservation plans.

The Maryland State House Complex was also on lockdown for a couple of hours Thursday afternoon after a phoned-in threat.

Day - 49 - February 28, 2024

An hour-long debate on several amendments to HB814, the Juvenile Law - Reform bill brought the House bill closer to what the Senate bill will look like. We took a closer look at the amendments and debate today.

Torrey Smith, a former Ravens player testified in committees in both the House and Senate today in support of a bill to require public schools to be ready for cardiac emergencies.

Governor Wes Moore was also in Annapolis today, to testify on the ENOUGH Act.

Bills also heard today were the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, the Gun Industry Accountability Act of 2024, and the Gift Card Scams Prevention Act of 2024.

RELATED: Maryland man's death linked to kratom; herbal substance center of heated debate

Day 48 - February 27, 2024

Both House and Senate versions of the Juvenile Law - Reform bill were on agendas today.

The House had HB814 up for second reader, but Judiciary chairman and bill sponsor Delegate Luke Clippinger asked that it be special motioned until tomorrow.

The Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee discussed the bill for over an hour during a voting session where a few amendments were added, and additional amendments that needed more time were given Senator Will Smith's, chairman and sponsor of the bill, blessing to be considered friendly floor amendments. The bill passed out of committee 9-2 with Senators Jill Carter and Charles Sydnor voting against the bill.

Also voted out of JPR Tuesday afternoon, the NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act, which would require a Child In Need of Services (CINS) petition to be filed in the case of a child under 13 who allegedly killed someone.

Meanwhile, the Finance Committee today heard testimonyfrom Pava LaPere's mother, on the SB473, the Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act. The bill would create a grant program for entrepreneurs in Baltimore.

Day 47 - February 26, 2024

With just a few weeks until Crossover Day, the House and Senate continue to start in the evenings on Mondays, though a few committees did have budget hearings scheduled for today.

The Senate has a few calendars of third reader bills on the agenda for this evening. As of 1:55 p.m., the House did not have an agenda online for tonight's session.

One bill that we've been following closely is HB814, a bill that would make several adjustments to the law concerning children alleged to have committed crimes.

The Office of the Public Defender today released a lengthy statement, calling the bill "a plague on Black and brown communities[,] not a benefit that increases public safety."

The statement from the leader of the agency, Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue, went on to say that the bill would "implement dangerous practices" and that it "harms children and squanders Maryland resources."

We've reached out to the House Speaker and Senate President, sponsors of the cross-filed bill for responses to the statements.

The Senate President's office had no statement at this time.

We haven't yet received a response from the House Speaker.

Day 44 - February 23, 2024

We're nearly at the halfway point for this year's legislative session and some bill debates in the House of Delegates led to reminders about decorum following third reader votes.

Heated debates on House Bills 558 and 728 wrapped up the work at the desk on the House floor during the session this morning.

HB558 deals with a Comprehensive Health Education Framework for elementary, middle, and high schools and HB728 expands access to health care to undocumented immigrants.

Day 43 - February 22, 2024

A quicker morning this Thursday, the Senate met for just under an hour and the House of Delegates was in session for just over an hour.

Several committees held bill hearings this afternoon, with some having voting sessions scheduled.

This included the Judiciary Committee in the House, which had just one bill on its voting session schedule, HB814, a bill to tweak the juvenile justice system in Maryland.
The original bill hearing for that bill took five hours to get through testimony.The voting session schedule notes that they will be voting on amendments to the bill.

Day 42 - February 21, 2024

Annapolis was busy yet again today, lawmakers spent over an hour in each chamber this morning to keep bills moving.

The Judiciary Committee in the House looked at several gun bills, as well as legislation to close a loophole in Noah's law.

MORE: Advocates continue fight to close Noah's law loophole

The Judicial Proceedings Committee heard testimony on SJ1, which would affirm the Federal Equal Rights Act in Maryland.

The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee heard a lot of election-related bills.

And the Health and Government Operations Committee heard opposing bills, one that would prohibit Gender and Sex Transition procedures for minors and one that would make gender-affirming treatment legally protected health care.

Day 41 - February 20, 2024

As Annapolis moves closer to Crossover Day, both the House and Senate spent over an hour on their respective floors this morning to get through second and third readers.

One of the bills that garnered a lot of debate was SB325, a bill to create a paint stewardship program for recycling paint.

As soon as the bill passed, Republicans posted the following about it to social media, despite Republican Senator Chris West being a co-sponsor on the bill:

Governor Wes Moore testified on one of his three Housing priority bills in the Environment and Transportation Committee today.

The City of Havre De Grace posted to social media that the Mayor has shared with the Governor his issues with the bills, arguing that housing availability and affordability should be dealt with on a local level.

Tensions were high during the Judiciary bill hearing where Delegate Dalya Attar's presented her bill to alter the membership of the Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention.

HB763 would remove the Council on American-Islamic Relations and instead require the Attorney General to appoint two members of the Muslim community to the Commission.

IN-DEPTH: MGA bill would block adult content on devices by default

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski was also scheduled to testify in three different committees on three different bills Tuesday afternoon.

Day 40 - February 19, 2024

The Senate and House of Delegates are both scheduled to reconvene this evening at 8 p.m., and several subcommittees are scheduled to meet this afternoon.

And there is an update to HB25, a bill to prohibit sexually explicit materials from public school libraries and media centers, which garnered heated testimony during its bill hearing. The Ways and Means Committee voted 16-6 to move for an unfavorable report.

MORE: A bipartisan push to cover labor and delivery costs

Day 37 - February 16, 2024

There are pro-forma sessions scheduled for both the House and Senate this morning, but several committees have bill hearings and voting sessions today.

This includes the Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing a bill called the Gun Industry Accountability Act and a joint bill hearing between the Judiciary and House and Government Operations Committees on the End of Life Option Act.

Day 36 - February 15, 2024

The Senate and House are busy working through second and third readers of bills, including the near-unanimous passage in the House of Delegates of HB4 which prohibits legacy consideration in colleges and universities.

Lt. Governor Aruna Miller testified this afternoon in the House Environment and Transportation Committee for the bill hearing on HB513.

The bill, titled the Maryland Road Worker Safety Act of 2024, would increase penalties for work zone automated cameras and allow the cameras to be unmanned.

No one testified against the bill.

Day 35 - February 14, 2024

A quick start to this Valentine's Day in Annapolis. Both the House and Senate had short meetings this morning, with 21 new bills being introduced in the Senate and 16 being introduced in the House.
All new bills at this point have to go first to the chambers rules committee, as the bill introduction deadline has passed.

Today, the Finance Committee in the Senate will hear a couple of big online consumer protection bills and the Economic Matters Committee will hear a bill to modernize unemployment insurance.

Day 34 - February 13, 2024

A busy Tuesday in Annapolis with both the House and Senate getting through dozens of bills, including third readers.

Last night, four more bills were introduced in the Senate, and seven new bills were introduced in the House. The Senate's version of the Judge Wilkinson Judicial Security Act was also introduced on first reader in the House of Delegates and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

The Judiciary Committee heard a bill on reinstating the death penalty this afternoon. Delegate Nino Mangione of Baltimore County sponsored the bill and was the only witness for the bill. Only one witness, a representative of the National Episcopal Church, testified against it.

The Judicial Proceedings Committee heard several juvenile-related bills Tuesday afternoon, including the NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act.

The bill would require that law enforcement make a CINS (Child In Need of Supervision) petition when a child under 13 years old is alleged to have killed a person. It's named for NyKayla Strawder, who was 15 years old when she was shot and killed in Baltimore by a 9-year-old. Senator Jill Carter, the bill sponsor asked for some leeway for some family members to testify on what was supposed to be a sponsor-only bill hearing because it passed the Senate unanimously last year.

JPR also heard testimony on the Safe Communities Act of 2024. The House Judiciary Committee heard the House version of that bill last week.

Day 34 - February 12, 2024

With the Senate and House not scheduled to meet until later this evening, it's a quieter day for Annapolis on Monday.
As of 2:45 p.m., neither the Senate nor the House had agendas for Monday evening.

Tonight is Blueprint Advocacy Day at the State House where Strong Schools Maryland plans to advocate for the full funding of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

MORE: Women with terminal illnesses push for option to end their lives

And in an update from last Friday, HB467, the One Fair Wage Act of 2024, got a favorable 'withdrawn by sponsor' vote in the Economic Matters committee. The bill will not move forward.

Day 31 - February 9, 2024

More than 100 bills were introduced in the House of Delegates Friday morning and the Senate sent another couple of bills to the House.

The Judicial Proceedings Committee heard several crime-related bills, including SB744, the Senate cross-file version of the Juvenile reform legislation heard for five hours in the Judiciary on Thursday.

It took more than two-and-a-half hours for the Judicial Proceedings Committee to call up Senate President Bill Ferguson to present the sponsor testimony.

Day 30 - February 8, 2024

A third of the way through the state legislative session, and it was another busy one.

The full Senate passed SB575, the Judge Wilkinson Judicial Safety Act, on third reader, sending the bill to the House of Delegates.

The Judiciary Committee spent five hours on its first bill of 12 juvenile bills.

WAMR-2 News/Amanda Engel

That first bill was HB814, the Juvenile Reform Bill that was introduced by legislative leadership and the Governor. State's Attorneys from across the state were in favor of the bill, and many members of the Office of the Public Defender came to testify against the bill.

The Judicial Proceedings Committee heard a bill on the End of Life Option Act.

And Moms for Liberty was out on the Lawyer's Malls advocating for parental rights bills.

Day 29 - February 7, 2024

An especially busy day in Annapolis on Wednesday, as the Senate joined the House of Delegates in its chambers for the Governor's second State of the State address.

Governor Wes Moore highlighted his priorities for Maryland and added that he'd be announcing a state plan with specific, measurable goals.

The Maryland GOP released a statement following the speech, which says in part:

Day 28 - February 6, 2024

Both chambers now have over 1,000 bills introduced, with the Senate and House now taking longer morning sessions to get through second reading calendars.

One of the bills that passed the Senate on second reader Tuesday was SB575, the Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson Judicial Security Act.

The bill, if passed by the full General Assembly, aims to protect the personal information of judges across the state and is named for a judge who was murdered last summer.

Another bill being considered today to honor a murder victim,HB301, is named for Baltimore City's Pava LaPere who was killed in September.

HB301 aims to limit the ability of people convicted of first-degree rape and first-degree sexual assault to gain credits toward early release. The Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on the bill Tuesday afternoon.

Another bill named for LaPere will be heard by the Ways and Means Committee on Thursday afternoon.

Day 27 - February 5, 2024

The Senate is scheduled to hold a couple of third reader votes this evening when the body reconvenes at 8 p.m.
The House of Delegates, as of 3 p.m., does not have any agenda for its 8 p.m. meeting.

Bill hearings will be ramping up this week, with committees expected to hear testimony on bills for reducing the price of prescription drugs to two different bills named for Pava LaPere, an entrepreneur in Baltimore City who was murdered last year.

Day 24 - February 2, 2024

Nearly 200 new bills were introduced across both chambers Friday morning, including bills to keep epi-pen prices down, to require a waiting period for an abortion, and a bill that would allow a person to bring a civil suit for being the victim of revenge porn.
Another interesting bill that was introduced today was SB818, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act of 2024.

Day 23 - February 1, 2024

Another 55 Senate bills were introduced Thursday morning.

The House version of the Save Girls' Sports Act, HB47, died in committee Thursday afternoon, with the passing of an unfavorable report.

And a group called 'One Fair Wage' was out in support of SB160, which had a bill hearing today.

Day 22 - January 31, 2024

As January wraps up in Annapolis, another 100 bills were introduced in the House of Delegates, and around 40 bills were introduced in the Senate.
They included a bill aimed at addressing juvenile justice.

Meanwhile, in the House Ways and Means Committee, some very controversial bills were debated, including the Fairness in Girls' Sports Act.

Day 21 - January 30, 2024

Moms Demand Action and other gun safety organizations are in Annapolis today to advocate for legislation that improves gun safety.
The Senate introduced another 7 bills this morning and did a round of second readings on bills from the Education, Energy and Environment Committee.

Senator Will Smith, the chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee in the Senate said his committee is seeing a significant increase in the number of bills coming through the committee and they won't be able to vote on all of them.

"We're not going to be able to put out a lot of product this year," he told the chamber Tuesday morning. He added to his fellow Senators that they should focus on their priorities when it comes to JPR bills. There are currently 214 bills in committee, the most for any one committee in either chamber.

The House had a quick session on Tuesday morning, lasting just 13 minutes, and referred a Bond Initiative and Supplemental budget to the Appropriations committee.

MORE: Bill looks to make legacy admissions history

Note: The day numbers have been updated to include weekend days, as that is how the legislature days are counted.

Day 20 - January 29, 2024

Both the House and Senate are not scheduled to convene until 8 p.m. tonight. The Senate has a Third Reading calendar on its agenda for this evening. The House is set to introduce another 16 bills, including HB732 which deals with local control of the Baltimore City Police Department.

IN-DEPTH: Governor Moore visits Brooklyn to unveil "ENOUGH Act"

Day 17 - January 26, 2024

A less than 3-minute pro-forma session in the Senate introduced another 42 bills. The House had a slightly longer session Friday morning, with a visit from Senator Ben Cardin.
But the main topic of political conversation on Friday was the announcement that Representative Dutch Rupersberger would be retiring at the end of this term.

Day 16 - January 25, 2024

The Senate on Thursday morning passed three bills out of its chamber, the first of the session to make it past third reader.

IN-DEPTH: Senate bill would close 'drug-dealer loophole'

Senate Bills 122 and 292 both passed unanimously and SB250, dealing with minors and overdue library materials, passed 35-11.

Another 90 bills were introduced in the House of Delegates, as well as a House Joint Resolution, sponsored by Delegate Gabriel Acevero, to support "an immediate, long-term ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, the return of all hostages, and delivery of adequate humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people."

MORE: Lawmakers propose raising taxes on wealthiest Marylanders, closing LLC loopholes

Day 15 - January 24, 2024

Today the Senate introduced dozens of new bills and sent them to their committees. They also printed 5 bills for third reader which were extending the dates for different commissions and agencies.

The House of Delegates introduced more than 100 bills for first reading, sending them to their appropriate committees.

MORE: Lawmakers propose series of bills to protect MD consumers

Day 14 - January 23, 2024

A half-hour session for the Senate today, in which three bills moved on to second reader. This included a short debate on SB250 which involves minors and overdue library materials.

The House had an even shorter session Tuesday morning, lasting just 8 minutes.

The Governor's priority legislation also began appearing on the MGA website on the Senate side, SB470 through SB484. These include housing initiatives, renters' rights, service bills, and public safety bills.

Of note, are SB473, the Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act, SB475 which establishes a Center for Firearm Violence Prevention, and SB479 the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act.

Day 13 - January 22, 2024

Both the House and Senate have 8 p.m. start times for Monday, with nothing on either agenda for the evening session as of 5:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, many Maryland lawmakers marked the 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision on social media and in a press conference announcing the launch of a campaign for a yes vote on the November ballot, which would codify the right to an abortion in Maryland's constitution.

The Dobbs decision in June 2022 overturned Roe's protections.

The Budget and Tax Committee and Appropriations Committee held a joint fiscal briefing hearing Monday afternoon. Staffers from the Department of Legislative Services went over estimates in the Governor's proposed budget as well as other financial and employment information for the state.

Day 10 - January 19, 2024

"No snow days for the Maryland Senate!" Senate President Bill Ferguson posted on social media on Friday morning.

He oversaw a pro forma session with the Deputy Majority leader and the Minority Leader to introduce a few bills and a bond initiative.

The House also held a short pro forma session. Both chambers are adjourned until Monday at 8 p.m.

Day 9 - January 18, 2024

A routine day in the Maryland State House with short sessions in both House and Senate to introduce a handful of new bills.

The Legislative Black Caucus held a news conference to discuss their priorities for the session.

More committees are holding bill hearings as the 446th legislative session starts to really get into gear, with the Education, Energy and the Environment Committee and Finance Committee already beginning to hold voting sessions on bills.

Other committees, especially in the House continued receiving briefings on various topics, including on Elections, Truancy in Maryland Public Schools and the impacts of the Supreme Court's decision on Affirmative Action.

Day 8 - January 17, 2024

Today, Governor Wes Moore announced his proposed budget for FY25. The State Constitution requires the Governor to present a proposed budget by the third Wednesday in January.
The Governor's four priorities for this budget are to make Maryland safer, more affordable, more competitive, and "the state that serves." He also committed to not raising taxes on state residents.

To achieve these goals, the budget proposal includes increases to law enforcement and the Department of Juvenile Services for safety, to childcare facilities and housing programs for affordability, money towards the new FBI building in Greenbelt and increases in funding for schools as part of achieving the competitiveness goal, and more money to increase the number of participants in the service year option program.

MORE: Gov. Moore cuts some programs' funding, keeps taxes the same in upcoming budget

A few committees had bill hearings scheduled, and several were scheduled to be briefed on issues impacting the state. These include a briefing to the Judicial Proceedings Committee on medical perspectives on gun violence and gun prevention, as well as a briefing on artificial intelligence to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.

Day 7 - January 16, 2024

Another day of quick day for the full House and Senate, with barely 10 minutes in which each chamber was convened on Tuesday.
In the House of Delegates, legislators sustained the vetoes on two bills that the Governor objected to last year.

Committees met to receive briefings from officials to learn more about the issues facing the state. These included briefings on the electrification impacts on the Maryland Electric Grid to a couple of different House committees.

IN-DEPTH: Lawmakers briefed on public safety, transportation budget issues

The Judicial Proceedings Committee got an overview on the Juvenile Justice system and the Appropriations Committee heard from Maryland Department of Transportation officials on the updated Consolidated Transportation Program and cuts made to transportation funding in the budget.

Day 6 - January 15, 2024

Both House and Senate met briefly during the evening of Martin Luther King Jr. Day for some introductory bills and for remarks about the day.

Day 3 - January 12, 2024

Another brief day in the State House, with a pro-forma session in the Senate introducing just 25 bills and a short session in the House where 37 bills were introduced along with a Bond Initiative.
Both houses are set to re-convene at 8 p.m. on Monday.

IN-DEPTH: General Assembly to consider bill to let Baltimore set its own tax for vacants

Day 2 - January 11, 2024

The House and Senate both met briefly on the second morning of the 446th legislative session, with the Senate introducing just seven new bills and the House announcing minority leadership appointments.
Many committees had organizational meetings scheduled, a few committees had briefings scheduled for Thursday afternoon and only the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee held its first bill hearing.

IN-DEPTH: General Assembly to debate ending the sub-minimum wage in Maryland

Day 1 - January 10, 2024

The 2024 Legislative Session kicked off at noon today, with the selection of each chamber's leaders and the introduction of hundreds of bills.

Governor Wes Moore also addressed the Senate chamber for his first start of session as Governor.

He'd previously gotten into the spirit of the day with a post showing his 'training' ahead of Session.

Another order of business for the first day, was addressing three bills (one cross-filed in both Senate and House), vetoed by Governor Moore last year, which dealt with energy efficiency, transit, and a public facilities bond for Carroll County.

MORE: Lawmakers begin 2024 session focusing on crime and the budget

The House of Delegates moved that the two of the House bills that their chamber was to review were special ordered to be reviewed until Tuesday, January 16th.

In the Senate, the vetoed bills were held over until Wednesday, January 17th.

Both chambers adjourned for the day before 1:15 p.m. until tomorrow at 10 a.m.