General Assembly - Membership, Election Timing for State Senators, and Eligibility
Summary
HB96 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change the size and election structure of Maryland’s General Assembly. Beginning with the 2033 legislative session, it would expand the Senate from 47 to 48 members and the House of Delegates from 141 to 144 members. The bill also revises the election schedule for State Senators, creating a staggered system after the 2032 election in which half of the senators would serve two-year terms and the other half four-year terms, with the two groups then continuing on alternating four-year election cycles.
The measure further adds a new eligibility rule for sitting Delegates who run for the Senate: if a Delegate seeks election to a Senate term that begins before the Delegate’s current term ends, the Delegate must vacate the House seat at the start of the next legislative session. The bill is drafted as a constitutional amendment and would be submitted to Maryland voters at the November 2026 general election for approval or rejection.
Impact
If adopted, HB96 would amend Article III of the Maryland Constitution, changing the fixed membership numbers for both chambers and altering the timing and structure of Senate elections statewide. It would also create a new constitutional vacancy trigger for Delegates who campaign for overlapping Senate terms, affecting legislative succession and candidate planning. Because it is a constitutional amendment, the change would not take effect unless approved by voters, and its operative changes would begin on the timelines specified in the text, including the 2033 session and the 2028/2032 election cycle.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcripts, recorded votes, or formal amendments, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill’s content, it appears to be a structural reform proposal rather than a policy bill affecting substantive programs, and its reception cannot be determined from the provided materials. The absence of voting history suggests the measure had not advanced to a recorded vote at the time of the snapshot.
Contention
The most likely points of contention are the proposed expansion of both chambers, the shift to staggered Senate terms, and the requirement that a Delegate give up a seat when running for a Senate term that overlaps the Delegate’s current term. Supporters would likely view the bill as improving representation and creating a more orderly election cycle, while opponents may see it as altering legislative balance, increasing the size of government, or disadvantaging sitting Delegates seeking higher office. No specific individuals or groups are identified in the provided materials as taking these positions.