Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, April 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't believe we have any resolutions today. Let's get started with the Senator from the 45th.
• Senate<00:16:02.040> Bill<00:16:02.320> 1007, Senate Bill 1007, Senate Bill 1007, Senator
• Feldman, Senate Bill 841, Senator Feldman, Senate Bill 841, Senator Feldman, Maryland<00:18:43.640
• Um, Um, Um, senator. senator. senator.
• Reagan and Senator from the Senator.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 2, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation by Reverend J.C. Austin of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, and journalized the prayer. Members also introduced several guests and interns, including a shadow from the 45th District, a Legislative Black Caucus fellow, a ninth-grade author from Annapolis High School, a World Autism Acceptance Day group in the gallery, and a student shadowing the Senator from District 30. The chamber then moved to House bills on second reading and Senate bills on third reading. The Senate adopted favorable committee reports and passed several House bills without objection, including measures extending the Maryland Horse Industry Board sunset, requiring housing counseling information for certain first-time homebuyers, expanding the educator expense tax subtraction to full-time pre-K teachers, increasing funding for the State Library Resource Center, extending agricultural use assessment eligibility for community solar projects, allowing the Seat Pleasant Police Department to join the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System, authorizing changes to a tax sale legacy protection program, and granting special taxing authority for the Village of Drummond. The chamber also adopted seven amendments to Senate Bill 1007 on state debt authorizations and ordered it printed for third reading. On final passage, Senate Bill 956 on Maryland Transportation Authority video toll collections passed with 44 affirmative votes. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 841, a major energy affordability and utility reform bill, with two committee amendments adopted. The bill was described as providing short-, medium-, and long-term rate relief, including changes to EmPOWER Maryland, utility cost recovery, data center tariffs, net metering, solar policy, transmission planning, battery storage, nuclear incentives, and low-income assistance. Debate began on the amended report, and a motion to lay the bill over was withdrawn while members discussed waiting on additional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Thank you.
• Let's recognize the Senator from the 38th District for a resolution today. Good morning, Mr.
• Yes, Senator from the 42nd. Excellent. Yes, Senator from the 42nd.
• The amendment conforms the bill to the Senate cross-file, Senate Bill 85, which passed the Senate unanimously
• 85,<00:15:03.560> which Senate cross-file, Senate Bill 85, which Senate cross-file, Senate

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Father Mark Bilek of Westminster, introduced by the Senator from the 42nd District and praised by members for his community service and Lenten message of reconciliation. The prayer was journalized. The chamber then recognized several guests, including interns, family members, a shadowing student, and the doctor of the day, Dr. Ann Benfield, before moving to floor business. A scheduling note indicated a light floor agenda, with committee work later in the day and a longer floor session expected the next day. The Senate considered several second-reading committee reports and moved multiple bills to third reading, generally without objection. These included House Bill 229, increasing Maryland Transportation Authority bond capacity from $4 billion to $5 billion; House Bill 266, allowing resource-sharing revenues to support state communications infrastructure, with an amendment conforming it to Senate Bill 85; House Bill 472, extending and adjusting the theatrical production tax credit; House Bill 607, setting constitutional officers’ salaries; House Bill 810, creating a study on blockchain-based lease recordation verification with an amendment adding the Maryland Blockchain Association; House Bill 1095, granting a Calvert County property tax credit for former tobacco barns; House Bill 1142, creating a task force on county and municipal revenue structures; and House Bill 1165, addressing apprenticeship program accountability and completion. The Senate also advanced Senate Bill 956, authorizing the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive portions of video tolls or civil penalties on delinquent accounts, with a sponsor amendment. Members briefly joked about April Fools’ Day during the proceedings, but the chamber continued to adopt reports and amendments without recorded opposition. At the end of the session, leaders announced committee schedules for the afternoon and the next day, including Finance, Triple E, Budget and Taxation, and Judicial Proceedings meetings. The Senate then held a quorum call, confirmed 45 members present, and adjourned until Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 960, senate, all

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 30, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appoint Senator Gazzone, Chair, Senator McCray, Senator King, Senator Hettleman, Senator Corderman.
• In addition, the Senate has appointed in advisory capacity Senators Bailey, Zucker, and Augustine.
• appoints Senator Gazzone, Chair, Senator Rosapepe, Senator Hettleman, Senator Augustine, Senator Jennings
• /c><00:03:35.840> House<00:03:36.080> Bill Senate to Senate Bill 282, House Bill Senate
• Thank you for your State Senate.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met in a brief pro forma session. After roll call, the chamber welcomed a guest, recognized two senators’ birthdays, and approved the prior day’s journal. The main business was transmitting messages to the House of Delegates on Senate Bill 282, the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2026; in both cases, the Senate refused to concur with House amendments and requested that the House recede, while also naming conference committee members and advisory members. The Senate also received a message from Governor Wes Moore submitting Supplemental Budget No. 2 as an amendment to the FY 2027 budget, which was journalized and referred to the Budget and Tax Committee and the conference committee later that day. In addition, the Governor sent one executive nomination for Senate confirmation, which was referred to the Executive Nominations Committee, and a separate notice withdrawing a previously submitted nominee, also referred to that committee. No substantive debate or votes occurred beyond adopting the messages and ordering them journalized. The session concluded with thanks to the pages and a motion, adopted without objection, to recess until 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please join me in giving him a warm welcome, Senator President. >> [applause] Our only resolution for
• Senate Bill 890, Senator the bill.
• Senator may proceed. Do we have leader. Senator may proceed.
• Senator. All right.
• Please Senator, may proceed. names. Please Senator, may proceed.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 26, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Senators.
• Senators, I am so pleased for our first resolution today.
• And would ask if we could have the Senate resolution read in full. Senate resolution read in full.
• Yes, Senator from the Capital City. all. Yes, Senator from the Capital City.
• President. >> Senator, you may proceed. Uh, my good friend Senator Brooks.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on March 25, 2026, with an invocation by Father Frank Crumble III, who was introduced as the guest of the Senator from the 36th District. The chamber also recognized several guests and groups, including leaders from Cherry Hill on the occasion of the community’s 80th anniversary, Doctor of the Day Maryam Diallo, the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, students from Andrew Jackson Academy, and several women honored for Women’s History Month. Additional recognitions included the Greater Baltimore Committee, Boy Scouts, Tarbiyah Academy, and a Senate intern. The main floor action was a special resolution congratulating the Cherry Hill community on the 80th anniversary of Cherry Hill Homes, a purpose-built community for African Americans returning from World War II. Senators spoke about Cherry Hill’s history, resilience, and recent community investments such as new schools and a recreation center. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously. Senate Bill 890, concerning an insurance premium tax receipts exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems, was special ordered for another day at the sponsor’s request. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 283, the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. After brief remarks praising the committee’s work and the statewide investment program, the bill passed third reading by unanimous vote. Committee and delegation announcements followed, including Finance, Triple E, and Judicial Proceedings holding House bill hearings at 1:00 p.m., and the Prince George’s County delegation meeting later that day. The Senate then remained in session long enough to confirm a quorum and adjourned until March 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we could give them a warm Senate welcome on behalf of Senator Benson. Thank you, Senator.
• Senate welcome on behalf of Senator Benson.
• Thank you, Senator. All President. Thank you, Senator.
• > Kagan, Senate Bill four, Senator Kagan, Senate Bill four, Senator Kagan, Charitable<01:16:17.880
• McCray, Senate Bill 947, Senator McCray, Senate Bill 947, Senator McCray, Maryland<01:17:16.560

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 42 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation by Pastor Jaylen Robinson, and recognized several guests and honorees. Early floor remarks included a welcome to students from Forest Oak Middle School, a young Senate shadow from Woodlawn High School, and guests from Charles H. Flowers High School. The chamber also noted a doctor of the day and announced that panoramic photos in the Senate lounge were available for order by March 27, with eye exams available in the State House. The main legislative business was Senate Bill 283, the President’s Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee presented 291 amendments, described as funding priorities for jobs, infrastructure, and reliability while staying within debt affordability limits. The amendments covered school construction, natural resources, higher education, housing, Maryland Environmental Service, miscellaneous grants, local Senate bond initiatives, jails and detention centers, and pre-authorizations for fiscal 2028. Four amendments were separated for individual roll calls: 30, 35, 46, and 241, all of which were adopted. The remaining committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the favorable committee report as amended was then taken up. During debate on the capital budget amendments, one senator raised concerns about the bill and the difficulty of tracking the amendments on the electronic system, prompting discussion about technical issues and the availability of the documents on the website and in paper form. The chair said the committee had been working on the bill for months and urged the body to proceed. A question was raised about Amendment 264, which deauthorized a Willing Helper Society renovation project in Charles County; the chair explained the money had not been spent, was about to expire, and was repurposed to a Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland project to keep the funding in Charles County.

Transcript Highlights:

• > Watson,<00:39:53.400> public Senate Bill 618 Senator Watson, public Senate Bill 618 Senator
• >> the senator. Is the senator. Is the Uh >> the senator. Is the senator.
• Rosapepe, Senate bill 455, Senator Rosapepe, Senate bill 455, Senator Rosapepe, Economic<01:37
• Lam,<01:38:50.440> Health Senate bill 489, Senator Lam, Health Senate bill 489, Senator
• Senate Bill 870, Senator A.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation, and welcomed guests including the doctor of the day, a Johns Hopkins student, and visiting scouts. The chamber then moved through first-reading introductions of several House bills, including measures on bullying and harassment reporting, the Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act, Baltimore County nuisance actions, parole hearing commission procedures, a blockchain technology task force, and a task force on deed fraud, all of which were referred to standing committees. The main floor action centered on layover bills. Senate Bill 932, concerning social media platforms displaying a user’s usual location, was amended to broaden the protected location reference and to protect participants in the Secretary of State’s address confidentiality program; after discussion about whether minors and child-abuse victims were covered, the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, drew multiple county-specific amendments. Howard County and Baltimore County amendments sought to give priority to existing local tobacco businesses for the new licenses. Supporters said the changes would protect established local shops from out-of-state entities, while opponents argued the bill should remain statewide and not be amended county by county. A motion to special order the bill failed, and the amendments were adopted before the bill was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 84, on collective bargaining for graduate assistants, also advanced after a committee amendment was adopted. A District 2 amendment was offered to clarify that graduate assistants are employed as teaching, administrative, or research assistants, but the floor leader opposed it, saying the bill’s definition was already clear and the change would create confusion. The minority leader questioned the definition and the relationship between graduate assistants and employees, prompting discussion of collective bargaining as bargaining by employees through representatives. The transcript cuts off before final disposition of that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 159, Senator A.
• Senate Bill 420, Senator M.
• Senate Bill 523, Senator M.
• Senate Bill 866, Senator A.
• >> a senator a senator. >> a senator a senator.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine announcements, including welcoming a new group of pages and noting donations of donuts and chicken from local businesses, along with a citation planned for Mr. Herman’s Bakery, which is closing after 103 years. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 858, establishing a Department of Budget and Management Audit and Finance Compliance Unit. A senator moved to send the bill back to second reading to add an amendment, which was adopted without objection, and the bill was reprinted for third reading. The Finance Committee then reported several bills. Senate Bill 84, concerning collective bargaining for graduate assistants at UMCP and UMBC, was laid over after questions about whether graduate assistants are employees or students. Senate Bill 455, creating a transformational project financing program tied to tax increment financing districts, had two committee amendments adopted and was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, also received two committee amendments and was ordered up, but a later Howard County amendment was proposed and the bill was laid over. Senate Bill 777, directing workforce development support in hospital closures and related events, was adopted and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 831, addressing child labor penalties, private-sector labor relations, and state labor standards, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 932, requiring social media platforms to display users’ general geographic location, was laid over after questions. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 340, requiring at least $2 million annually for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman office, with two amendments adopted and the bill sent to third reading. Senate Bill 489, creating a limited license pathway for physicians trained abroad and repealing the fifth pathway program, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 496, expanding Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, prompted extended debate over the fiscal note and who would bear the costs; the sponsor argued the estimate was overstated and did not account for likely lower utilization or health-care savings, while an opponent pressed concerns about the state share and structural deficit. The discussion continued without a final vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Watson,<00:09:24.280> Public Senate Bill 618, Senator Watson, Public Senate Bill 618,
• Harris, Senate Bill 932, Senator Harris, Senate Bill 932, Senator Harris, Consumer<00:09:52.840
• Kagan,<00:10:22.240> income Senate Bill 148, Senator Kagan, income Senate Bill 148, Senator
• Watson, Senate Bill 623, Senator Watson, Senate Bill 623, Senator Watson, tobacconist<00:12:38.200
• > Muse, Senate Bill 463, Senator Muse, Senate Bill 463, Senator Muse, municipalities<00:13:30.800

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate reconvened with a quorum and took up Budget and Taxation matters first. The chamber considered Senate Bill 283, the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026, with the capital budget subcommittee chair describing a $5.7 billion capital program focused on jobs, reliability, and infrastructure, including funding for transportation, state facilities, local projects, and legislative bond initiatives. The committee report and reprint were explained, and the bill with its 291 committee amendments was special ordered until the next day for further amendment work. The Senate then adopted the favorable committee report for Senate Bill 769, the University System of Maryland Academic Facilities Bonding Authority, and ordered it printed for third reading. On the third reading calendar, the Senate passed Senate Bills 84, 618, 932, 148, 202, and 623 by constitutional majorities. SB 84 concerned collective bargaining for graduate assistants; SB 618 addressed a public ethics exemption for General Assembly members and certain state and local employees; SB 932 dealt with social media platforms displaying user location; SB 148 created an income tax subtraction modification for public safety employee retirement income supporting 911 specialists; SB 202 reinstated an order-to-show-cause process in police discipline, which drew floor opposition from a senator who argued it would revive an unnecessary exception to the streamlined police accountability process; and SB 623 created the Maryland Premium Cigar Lounge Act of 2026. The Senate also handled Senate Bill 463, a second-reading bill on municipal vagrancy and local authority to prohibit it, which the committee chair moved to special order for the following Tuesday without objection. The session concluded with announcements about caucus meetings, a quorum call, and adjournment until Tuesday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m., along with thanks to the secretary’s office, DLS staff, and pages for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate bill SE 673 Senator A.
• Senate Bill 420, Senator M.
• Senate Bill 523, Senator M.
• Senate Bill 523, Senator M.
• Muse, Senate Bill 646, Senator Muse, Senate Bill 646, Senator Muse, commission<01:34:55.520><

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 38 members present and a quorum, then began with an invocation and several ceremonial introductions. The chamber recognized pioneering women of the Maryland State Police for Women’s History Month, including the original six female graduates and other firsts in the department, and also introduced the day’s doctor and a student intern. The Senate agreed to journalize the remarks honoring the Maryland State Police guests. The body then took up several Finance Committee bills, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection on Senate Bills 385, 387, 389, 753, 469, and 608, each of which was ordered printed for third reading. SB 385 concerns immunization, screening, and preventive-service recommendations and pharmacist administration; SB 387 restricts predatory pricing and use of personal data by food retailers and delivery services; SB 389 makes transit-oriented development changes; SB 753 addresses financial exploitation protections for seniors and vulnerable adults; SB 469 authorizes a Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund affordability program; and SB 608 requires coverage for pharmacogenomic testing. Senate Bill 626, dealing with birth certificate sex designation changes and related identification documents, was briefly set aside at the request of a senator seeking possible amendments, with the presiding officer agreeing to hold it until the next session. Senate Bill 739, a climate change, homeowners insurance, and emergency management study bill, was also introduced with one amendment and sparked debate over its scope and funding, including discussion of a $150,000 Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocation and whether the study would examine the General Assembly’s own climate policies. The transcript ends during that discussion, before any final action on SB 739.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bailey. >> Senate bill 8007. Senator Bailey.
• McCay,<01:20:04.800> real Senate Bill 691, Senator McCay, real Senate Bill 691, Senator
• Senate Bill 468, Senator first bill.
• Senate Bill 673, Senator A.
• Senate Bill 417. Senator Lamb.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum and quickly moved through committee reports and second-reader bills, adopting committee amendments and sending several measures to third reading without objection. Bills advanced included SB 10 on State Highway Administration approval timelines for speed monitoring systems; SB 487 on speed monitoring systems in safety corridors; SB 689 creating a task force on post-release services and re-entry; SB 811 requiring reporting of new home sale prices in multiple listing services; SB 877 authorizing a Baltimore City stop sign monitoring pilot in the 41st district; SB 937, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, limiting use of criminal history in tenant screening; SB 984 barring private immigration detention facilities; SB 465 on out-of-court statements and second-degree assault; SB 187 on pre-release services for incarcerated women; SB 388, the Decade Act, revising multiple economic development and tax credit programs; and SB 844, the annual corrective bill. Most of the floor discussion focused on explaining amendments and the policy effects of the bills. Supporters described the housing bill as expanding second-chance opportunities while adding safeguards, and a senator asked detailed questions about how landlords could screen for serious offenses and sex offender registry status. SB 984 was described as an emergency measure preventing state and local approval of private detention facilities and authorizing enforcement by the Attorney General. SB 465 was presented as closing a gap in Maryland law on witness intimidation and aligning the state with broader practice. SB 187 would rename and expand the women’s pre-release facility into a re-entry facility and require progress reports. The most extended debate came on SB 165, the on-site wastewater systems bill. One amendment to exempt redevelopment properties from inspection was offered and failed by roll call with 27 votes in the negative. A second amendment to require consultation with Maryland Realtors in developing regulations was then offered; supporters argued it would help avoid delays in property settlements and bring real estate professionals into the regulatory process, while opponents said the bill concerned broader wastewater regulations, not just property transfers. The transcript cuts off during that amendment’s discussion, before the final vote is shown.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 19, 2026, 960, senate, all

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 19, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mautz,<00:05:15.760> Health Senate Bill 910, Senator Mautz, Health Senate Bill 910, Senator
• Rosapepe, Senate Bill 757, Senator Rosapepe, Senate Bill 757, Senator Rosapepe, Consumer<00:09
• Ferguson, Senate Bill 772, Senator Ferguson, Senate Bill 772, Senator Ferguson, Maryland<00:10
• Senate Bill 869, Senator A.
• Senate Bill 872, Senator M.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go ahead and call the Senate to order.
• recognize the Senator from the 37th. recognize the Senator from the 37th.
• could give them warm Senate welcomes. could give them warm Senate welcomes.
• And Senator, may proceed.
• >> Senator, you may proceed. >> Senator, you may proceed.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on Monday, March 16th, with an invocation focused on safety during storms, support for first responders, and recognition of Women’s History Month. A quorum was present, and the President noted the chamber was preparing for a very busy week, with possible double sessions and a Saturday session if needed. The House message on House Bill 297, concerning adult education and high school diploma pathways, was received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The chamber then took up several committee reports, mostly adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the bills advanced to third reading were SB 85 on use of Information Technology Investment Fund revenues, SB 520 on public safety spending flexibility in charter counties, SB 558 creating a Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program, SB 641 on procurement exceptions for historic preservation services, SB 647 establishing a catastrophic disability benefit tier for certain law enforcement retirement members, SB 654 raising the State Police mandatory retirement age to 62 and adjusting DROP rules, and SB 668 on Children’s Cabinet funding for local management boards. SB 756, a Baltimore City PILOT/tax exemption bill for a Downtown Rise District project, was also advanced. Several bills were special ordered to allow time for amendments or further discussion. SB 334 on machine gun convertible pistols was special ordered to the next day after members said amendments were not ready. SB 309, concerning a statewide sales and use tax exemption for precious metal bullion or coins, was also special ordered for the next day so members could add co-sponsors. SB 818 on State Center development contract requirements and an advisory group was special ordered to the appropriate time the next day after discussion of its community input and federal-law compliance provisions. The Budget and Taxation Committee then reported on the fiscal 2027 operating budget, SB 282, and the budget reconciliation and financing act, SB 284. The committee chair said the budget left a $250 million cash surplus and $2.2 billion in the rainy day fund, kept general fund spending below the current year, imposed no tax or fee increases, and funded priorities including behavioral health in schools, child care scholarships, local government disparity grants, nursing homes, developmental disabilities services, public schools, Medicaid, energy assistance, and economic development. Both SB 282 and SB 284, along with their committee amendments, were laid over until the next day for second reading debate.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 13, 2026, 960, senate, all