Video & Transcript : 'Senate Bill 179' :
Page 23 of 500
MD
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk will read the bill. >> Senate Bill 99.
- Senator Kagan, open >> Senate bill 99.
- Senate Bill 87, Chair, Judicial bill.
- <00:20:42.159><c> Kramer,</c> >> Senate Bill 136, Senator Kramer, >> Senate Bill 136, Senator
- Senate Bill 261.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Senate<00:10:30.079><c> bill</c><00:10:30.399><c> 961.
- <c> tax</c> >> Senate bill 961.
- Senator Sing income tax >> Senate bill 961.
- Without objection, the bill will be special ordered to the appropriate time tomorrow. >> Senate Bill
- Senators move to special order the bill to the appropriate time tomorrow.
Summary:
The Maryland Senate met on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a quorum present. The session opened with an invocation by Chaplain David Stadler, followed by journalization of his remarks and several introductions recognizing guests in the chamber, including dentists, an intern, a former legislative staffer, and representatives from the University System of Maryland and other groups. Senators also noted upcoming committee meetings and a Legislative Black Caucus photo the next day.
The main floor action centered on a resolution honoring Maryland Career and Technical Student Organizations for Career and Technical Student Organization Week. The sponsor described the role of CTSOs in serving more than 12,000 students statewide and in building leadership, professional, and career skills. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with the Senate expressing congratulations and appreciation for the organizations’ work with young people.
The Senate then took up layover items and calendar bills. Senate Bill 56, concerning Maryland Longitudinal Data Center external data sharing for multi-state reporting, was special ordered for one day after members raised privacy-related questions. Senate Bill 99, the Open Meetings Act/Local Board of Education Transparency Act measure, was also special ordered for one day after discussion of its committee amendment. The chamber also received administrative corrections from the Governor and referred them to the Executive Nominations Committee, and the majority leader later moved adjournment until February 19 at 10:00 a.m., which was adopted without objection.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk will read the bill. >> Senate Bill 46.
- Senate Bill 46.
- :48.880><c> Jackson,</c> >> Senate Bill 293, Senator Jackson, >> Senate Bill 293, Senator
- Clerk, read the bill. >> Senate Bill 287.
- Senator McCrae, >> Senate bill 287.
MD
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> All right, senators.
- </c> see uh Senator from the 33rd district. see uh Senator from the 33rd district.
- House and the Senate delegation. Uh, a House and the Senate delegation.
- </c> Thank you, Senator. Thank you. And, uh, thanks as well, Senator from the 44th.
- Clerk will read the bill. >> Senate Bill 960.
MD
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 188 is a departmental bill.
- :05.599><c> Bidel,</c> >> Senate bill 247, Senator Bidel, >> Senate bill 247, Senator Bidel
- ><c> Wald</c><00:41:58.960><c> Striker</c> Senate Bill 356, Senator Wald Striker Senate Bill 356, Senator
- <c> Augustine,</c> Senate Bill 186, Senator Augustine, Senate Bill 186, Senator Augustine, state<00:55
- Clerk will read the next bill. >> Senate Bill 260, Senator C.
Summary:
The Senate convened with 39 members present, heard the invocation from Reverend Meredith West, and journalized her remarks. The chamber then recognized several guest groups and observances, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Second District Corridor 1 for “100 Q’s in Annapolis Day,” the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the Maryland 2A state championship, Arts Day participants, Rural Maryland Council members, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition advocates, and visitors from the Maryland Judiciary. Senators also spoke about the meaning of Kente cloth during Black History Month, and the chamber recognized a birthday and thanked protocol staff for Valentine’s Day decorations.
The Senate’s featured presentation was the annual Lincoln Day speech by the Senator from the 37th District. The senator reflected on Abraham Lincoln’s life, political career, and moral leadership, emphasizing his self-education, opposition to the expansion of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg, and the idea that the nation’s founding principles of liberty and equality guided Lincoln through the Civil War. The minority leader praised the address, and the Senate agreed without objection to journalize the remarks.
After the ceremonial portion, the Senate moved to business. Bond initiatives on the calendar were read and referred to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Executive Nominations Committee reported favorably on a list of recess appointees, including gubernatorial secretaries, district court judges, and a state board appointee, and the report was special ordered to Monday, February 16, 2026. The chamber then began second-reader consideration of Budget and Taxation bills: Senate Bill 25, altering the cyber security technology and service tax credit, was amended and ordered printed for third reading; Senate Bill 58, creating a property tax credit for retail service station conversions, was discussed with questions about who would receive the credit and why the incentive was needed, and consideration was ongoing when the transcript ended.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- President Bill Ferguson, staff, Senate President Bill Ferguson, President<00:02:11.200><c> Prom</c><
- Clerk will read the bills. >> Senate Bill 955.
- Senate Bill 888, Senators Lamb and Ellis, election district, General Assembly, and representatives in
- Clerk will read the bill. Senate Bill 46, Senator Simonire, state veteran cemeteries intermittent.
- Bill 888, Senators Lamb and Ellis, Bill 888, Senators Lamb and Ellis, election<00:07:05.520><c> district
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- :21.520><c> Simonire,</c> >> Senate Bill 199, Senator Simonire, >> Senate Bill 199, Senator
- Senate Bill 248.
- Clerk will read the next bill. Senate Bill 260, Senator C.
- >> Senate Bill 161. Senator Simono, natural >> Senate Bill 161.
- Uh Senate bill this Senate bill shrubs.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, clerk will read the first bill. >> Senate Bill 720. Senator Hester.
- >> Senate Bill 773, Senator Augustine, >> Senate Bill 773, Senator Augustine, Health<00:18
- Senate Bill 823, Senator Smith, bills.
- Clerk, read the bills. >> Senate Bill 923.
- Senator Harris, solar, >> Senate bill 923.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk will read the bills. >> Senate Bill 643. Senator Bailey.
- reading of the bills.
- Clerk will read the bills. >> Senate Bill 680. Senator West.
- Uh, the Senate of Maryland remains in session.
- ><c> remains</c><00:03:17.360><c> in</c> the senator of Maryland remains in the senator of Maryland remains
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk will read the bills. >> Senate Bill 585.
- Clerk will read the bills. >> Senate Bill 585.
- Clerk will read the bills. >> Senate Bill 585.
- Uh clerk will read the bill. >> Senate Bill 255.
- Senator Kazone, human >> Senate bill 585.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Reverend Carissa Serber, and journalized her remarks. Members then welcomed several guests and groups in the gallery, including Maryland Community Action Partnership advocates, Cecil College students and Dr. Mary Bolt, Cecil County Executive Adam Strait, the Maryland Association of Justice, Faith Baptist School students, and several interns and staff members. The chamber also introduced Senate Bill 585 and a bond initiative for the Active Achievers Youth Center, both of which were referred to the appropriate committees or subcommittees.
The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026 for counties and municipal corporations. Senators questioned the bill’s scope, especially whether it would affect county commissioner election methods, who could bring suit, what “vote dilution” means, and whether the measure was tied to district maps or candidate filings. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a state framework for the federal Voting Rights Act, provides standing rather than a remedy, and applies when a protected class believes its vote has been diluted; political party was said not to be a protected class. The committee amendment was adopted without objection, and the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading.
On third reading, Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 29 passed with constitutional majorities. Senate Bill 93 also passed. Senate Bill 141, dealing with election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, was moved back to second reader for a technical amendment and then special ordered to Tuesday. The Senate also held a lighthearted recorded vote on Seahawks versus Patriots, with the Seahawks winning 28 to 8, and then received committee scheduling announcements for upcoming hearings and voting sessions.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate to order. Looks like we have the Senate to order.
- We have introduction of Senate bills. This is calendar 20. Clerk will read the bills.
- Senate Bill 520, Senator Kramer, property tax, charter counties, application of county tax limitations
- We have another series of Senate bills. This is calendar 21.
- Clerk will read the bills. >> Senate Bill 570.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, clerk will read the first bill. Senate Bill 5, Senator Kagan.
- Senator Kagan. election >> Senate Bill 29.
- </c> Senate Bill 29. Senator Kagan.
- <c> Hester,</c> Senate Bill 141, Senator Hester, Senate Bill 141, Senator Hester, election<01:20:45.760
- </c> Senate Bill 255, Senator Sidnor.
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.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, senators.
- titled the Jew bill.
- Thank you, Senator.
- Clerk will read the calendar. >> Senate Bill 444. Senator Kramer.
- Senate Bill 444. Senator Kramer.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- We've got, uh, more bills coming through. This is calendar 17. Clerk will read the bills.
- Senate Bill 422, Senator Kramer, research facilities and testing facilities that use animals, adoption
- Clerk will read the bills. bills. bills.
- Senate<00:01:40.960><c> Bill</c><00:01:41.280><c> 422,</c><00:01:42.320><c> Senator</c><00:01:42.720>
- <c> Kramer,</c> Senate Bill 422, Senator Kramer, Senate Bill 422, Senator Kramer, research<00:01:43.759
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 404, Senator M.
- the floor leader, Senate Bill 17. >> Thank you, Mr.
- Senate Bill 17 >> Thank you, Mr. President.
- >> Senate Bill 245. Recognizing the chair >> Senate Bill 245.
- Seeing none, Senate Bill or its title?
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.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we have bill calendar number 15. Clerk will read the bills.
- Senate Bill 390, Wicomico County Senators, Class A beer, wine, and liquor license alterations, Finance
- </c> announcements before we introduce bills? announcements before we introduce bills?
- </c> Clerk will read the bills.
- Senate Bill 390, Wicomico County Senators, Class A beer, wine, and liquor license alterations, Finance
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- We have bill introductions, including some of the administration bills. This is calendar 14.
- Clerk, read the bills. >> Senate Bill 368, Senator Bailey, Calvert and St.
- Bill will be ordered to the capital budget subcommittee. That does it. Desk is clear.
- <00:02:33.360><c> Ishivas,</c> >> Number one, Senator Hedleman, Ishivas, >> Number one, Senator
- Bill will be ordered to the >> All right.