Video & Transcript Research : 'High Socks for Hope'
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- With our majority leader, minority leader present for this pro forma session, the Maryland is now back
- We'll substitute yesterday's invocation for today's. >> Yes, just a quick announcement.
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- </c> not going to pay for it. not going to pay for it.
- </c> pay for that themselves. pay for that themselves.
- </c> So, thank you for the special order. So, thank you for the special order.
- </c> Hearing Room for budget hearings. Hearing Room for budget hearings.
- </c> you very much for all your efforts. you very much for all your efforts.
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- We thank you for life, health, and strength. We thank you for purpose.
- :17.599><c> do</c><00:02:17.680><c> for</c> to this work, for all that they do for to this work, for
- </c> for 30 years. for 30 years. So,<00:15:37.199><c> Mr.
- :45:53.200><c> local</c> that for the uh for our state and local that for the uh for our state and local
- </c> out for the big buck. out for the big buck.
Summary:
The Senate opened with an invocation by Reverend Dr. Patrick Claybourne of Bethl AM Church in Baltimore, introduced by the senator from the 40th district, who highlighted the church’s long history, community work, scholarships, food pantry, school partnerships, and a planned rise center. The Senate journalized the invocation and then recognized several guests, including the Bethesda Roosters U16 rugby team, which was congratulated for winning the Maryland state title and the 2025 National U16 Championship, and members of the Joint Veterans Committee of Maryland. The chamber also welcomed a Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board appointment letter, which was referred to the Executive Nominations Committee, and later a delegation from the Ghana Parliament legislative staff visiting with the Department of Legislative Services and NCSL representatives.
The main floor business centered on Senate Bill 1, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings. The minority whip argued against the bill, saying it was unenforceable, an improper use of legislative time amid other state crises, and could create a system where local officers detain federal officers for a civil violation; he also said officers mask themselves because of threats and doxxing. Senators in support argued the bill was needed to address masked ICE agents, protect public safety, and respond to concerns about civil rights abuses and intimidation. After debate and vote explanations from senators, including one emphasizing immigrant heritage and another supporting the bill as a protection measure, SB 1 passed with 31 affirmative votes.
The Senate then passed Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill on alcoholic beverages related event promoters permits, by unanimous affirmative vote. It next took up Senate Bill 245, an emergency bill prohibiting immigration enforcement agreements. The minority leader questioned whether the bill would eliminate formalized 287(g) agreements and replace them with county-by-county policies, arguing that this could reduce uniformity, weaken safety, and create a patchwork of local practices. The bill’s sponsor responded that counties would still be bound by constitutional and legal limits, that the agreements provide minimal training and resources, and that the state should stop formally cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The sponsor also said the bill would not increase profiling and that public safety would remain intact. The debate continued with concerns about Montgomery County’s evolving policy and the impact on smaller counties, but the transcript ends before final action on SB 245.
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- Annabelle Woo, River Hill High School. Siri Zang, River Hill High School.
- </c> >> I'm filling in for you. >> I'm filling in for you.
- All right, we have one more National History Day awardee for the statewide high school teacher of the
- > History Day awardee for um for the uh History Day awardee for um for the uh statewide<00:10:35.519>
- Churchill High School. [applause] Churchill High School.
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- Thank you for bringing us back to this house for a second time this evening to do the work for your people
- for for us to there are important issues for for us to discuss.<00:31:04.399><c> However,</c><00:31:
- </c> for a roll call. for a roll call.
- We're hoping to actually raise a little bit more as the days go on because we have one more plunge for
- </c> Stun High School. Stun High School.
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- With three of the critical members present for the pro forma session, Maryland is now back again in session
- Clerk will read the bond initiatives. >> Number one, Senator King, Community Services for Adults and
- I'm confident you will find them deserving of your support for appointment confirmation.
- Um, any comments, thoughts, questions, concerns, you know, predictions for the weather? No. Yeah.
- With three members present for the pro forma session, the Senate remains in session.
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- They, you know, have hope for government, and it's a good reminder of what we can all try to bring every
- They they you know<00:08:09.039><c> have</c><00:08:09.840><c> hope</c><00:08:10.080><c> for</c><00:08
- for government and it's a know have hope for government and it's a good<00:08:11.120><c> reminder</c
- </c> exceptions for the bill by providing for exceptions for the bill by providing for a<01:38:11.760
- </c> for a felony offense for theft. for a felony offense for theft.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened after a snow delay, heard an invocation from Reverend Scott Shelton, and conducted several floor introductions and recognitions, including birthday wishes for staff, a welcome for a temporary office staffer, recognition of the Center for Urban Families, and introduction of the week’s pages. The chamber then approved the prior journal and moved through bill and bond initiative readings, referring the listed measures to their standing committees or the capital budget subcommittee.
The first substantive action was adoption of a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill authorizing the Baltimore City Board of Licensed Commissioners to issue a related event promoters permit for the CIAA tournament. The floor leader said the bill had no amendments, no fiscal impact, and no opposition in committee. The Senate adopted the report without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading.
The Senate then took up Senate Bill 1 from the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to adopt a statewide policy on law enforcement face coverings, apply it to state, local, and federal officers in Maryland, and enforce violations through a civil citation and discipline. The committee report included two amendments: one technical and one making the policy statewide and preempting local policies. During extended debate, the bill’s sponsor argued that masks undermine transparency and trust and that the measure would create a uniform standard. A senator from Frederick County questioned whether the bill would effectively create a policy for federal agents without Maryland-specific training and raised concerns about enforcement, temporary detention, complaints, and possible conflicts with federal authority. The sponsor responded that officers would retain discretion, that the bill would be enforced through civil citations, and that similar civil enforcement mechanisms have been upheld in Maryland. No final vote on the amended report is shown in the transcript excerpt.
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- High School. >> Very good. Margaret Bile, St. Mary's County, Leonardtown High School.
- [laughter] Uh, Montgomery County, Damascus High School.
- . >> From uh Carroll County, Liberty High School.
- High School. >> Very good. Margaret Bile, St. Mary's County, Leonardtown High School.
- Northwestern High School. Welcome. Northwestern High School. Welcome.
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- With the three critical members for this pro forma session here and present, the Maryland is again back
- Fran Boyd, policy consultant for agriculture and rural affairs. And that has everybody. Yes.
- Thank you all for being with us today.
- And that has for a and rural affairs. And that has everybody.<00:01:34.479><c> Yes.
- I think that does it for any introductions.
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- Uh, we will substitute yesterday's invocation for today's.
- </c> calendar five for bond initiatives. calendar five for bond initiatives.
- And by Monday, we don't know for sure.
- The uh had a much for sharing that.
- </c><00:04:45.680><c> this</c> With three members present for this With three members present for this
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- </c><00:13:04.800><c> for</c><00:13:05.200><c> your</c> you need electricity for for your you need electricity
- Sorry, I meant to say Wise High School for Miles.
- </c> meant to say Wise High School for Miles. meant to say Wise High School for Miles.
- Bennett High School. Shane James B. Bennett High School.
- </c> 4, Brunswick High School. 4, Brunswick High School.
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- we make it easier for our neighbor.
- </c><00:08:13.759><c> their</c> are visiting us today for their are visiting us today for their legislative
- </c> is the premier advocacy organization for is the premier advocacy organization for Maryland<00:09
- But uh Alageney want to come for that.
- But you [laughter] for having my back.
Summary:
The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee.
Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility.
The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.
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- Please rise for the invocation.
- We pause together with gratitude for life and for the responsibility entrusted to public service.
- Thank you for being here and thanks for your advocacy.
- Thank you for being Pleased to have you. Thank you for being with<00:10:50.160><c> us.
- </c> environment for the state of Maryland. environment for the state of Maryland.
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- . >> The clerk will take the call with three critical members for this pro forma session here in the
- Uh, we'll substitute yesterday's invocation for today's invocation if there are no objections, and we'll
- Senate Joint Resolution Number One, the President Governor Salary Commission salary recommendations for
- Clerk will read the bond initiatives. >> Number one, Senator Hedleman at Pikesville High School, Comfort
- This is for the pages.
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- That's just off script for one second only to say thank you for having me once again.
- Thank you all so much for being here. Thank you for joining us.
- for guests.
- So that you know, still for for guests.
- </c> celebrate it for the pro-forma. celebrate it for the pro-forma.
Summary:
The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum present and began the session with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein of Temple Beth Shalom, who urged senators to listen carefully, act with humility and integrity, and keep policy focused on real people and practical justice. His remarks were journalized without objection. The chamber also welcomed several guests, including a senior Girl Scout troop from Jefferson, family members of a senator, and visiting teachers, educators, and students from the College Board Foundation.
The main floor action was a resolution recognizing Korean-American Day and honoring the Korean Society of Maryland and the broader Korean American community for their contributions to Maryland and the nation. The sponsor highlighted the community’s history since the first Korean immigrants arrived in North America in 1903 and named several Korean American leaders present in the gallery. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with applause and thanks extended to the guests.
The Senate then handled first-reader bill introductions: Senate Bill 280, relating to state parks terminology in the Natural Resources/Education/Energy/Environment committees, and Senate Bill 281, the Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026, referred to Budget and Taxation. Leadership noted that the early weeks of session would be committee-heavy, with most bills going to standing committees rather than the floor. Committee chairs then gave scheduling updates, including truncated hearing formats due to bill volume, upcoming hearings on longevity, the AHEAD model and emergency department wait times, election law bills, controller briefings, and departmental hearings. The Senate adjourned without objection until Wednesday, January 21, for a 10:00 a.m. pro forma session.