Transcript Highlights:

• with 39 members in the chamber and a quorum being present, the Senate of Maryland is again back in session
• session. Uh we do have one resolution. session. Uh we do have one resolution.
• On the floor, I have one of my interns for session, Lily Coington, a senior at St.
• Uh we'll be meeting at 1 p.m. for 18 bill hearings followed by a voting session. Thank you, Mr.
• ,<00:16:05.279> recognizing Maryland remains in session, recognizing Maryland remains in session

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

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.

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Reverend Jennifer Carson Carsoner is back with us um this session.
• <00:03:08.400> She's<00:03:08.720> a<00:03:08.959> spiritual um this session
• She's a spiritual um this session.
• Uh, Senator from the 29th. >> Um, time permitting, we will try to fit in a voting session immediately
• So, uh, if we can, uh, manage to squeeze it in on Thursday, immediately following session, we'll get

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

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, quorum call, and several introductions recognizing guests, including Reverend Jennifer Carsner and her daughter, President Kirk Schmoke, representatives from Maryland independent colleges and universities, students from Stevenson University, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Washington College, a constituent, and the Greater Washington, D.C.-Maryland chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Damatha Catholic High School for winning the 2025 WCAC football championship and another recognizing the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously after brief remarks and roll calls. The Senate then took up executive nominations, separating nominee 16 from the main report. The chamber voted 42 in favor on the remaining nominations and then 42 in favor on nominee 16, giving all nominees the Senate’s advice and consent. On third reading, the Senate passed several bills, including SB 46, SB 25, SB 58, SB 163, SB 170, SB 188, SB 247, SB 356, and SB 379, with recorded affirmative votes ranging from 36 to 42. These measures covered topics such as veterans cemeteries, tax credits and tax modifications, education funding, transportation revenue bonds, biotechnology incentives, a stillborn child tax credit, and recovery residence grant funding. The chamber also advanced numerous second-reading bills, generally adopting committee reports and amendments without objection. Among the measures discussed were collective bargaining for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission police officers; adoption of the 2022 Uniform Commercial Code amendments for controllable electronic records; cemetery sale and transfer oversight; an additional license for electronic smoking devices; collective bargaining for Baltimore County Public Library supervisory employees; payroll processor exemptions under the Money Transmission Act; scalp cooling coverage for chemotherapy patients; orthoses and prostheses coverage under health and Medicaid plans; an online database of elevator inspection certificates; service animal program disqualification standards; extension of the State Board of Environmental Health Specialists; disclosure of lapsed professional liability insurance for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives; and revisions to massage therapy licensure rules. Most reports were favorable, with several technical or substantive amendments adopted and bills ordered printed for third reading. A notable policy discussion occurred on SB 56, which would allow the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center to share individual-level student and workforce data with a third-party data center for multi-state reporting. The sponsor explained the bill as a way to compare Maryland outcomes with other states while using data-sharing agreements and oversight to protect privacy; a minority whip raised concerns about the type of third-party data center and whether the practice was new. The sponsor said the bill was intended to formalize and safeguard data sharing, and noted a technical amendment would be offered to correct the amendment language.

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

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, February 16, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With 33 members in the chamber and a quorum being present, the Senate of Maryland remains in session.
• Senators, we have a again in session.
• With 38 members in the chamber and a quorum being present, the Senate of Maryland remains in session.
• <00:10:52.399> Recognizing Maryland remains in session.
• Recognizing Maryland remains in session.

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

Summary: The Senate convened with 33 members present, heard an invocation from Reverend Lauren Holder of St. Martins in the Field Episcopal Church, and received several chamber introductions and welcomes, including district-night guests, former Delegate Sam Aurora, League of Conservation Voters constituents, and a new group of pages from across the state. The presiding officer also noted that a presentation by the state archivist in the old Senate chamber would be the main event of the evening. On the legislative side, the chamber read Senate Bill 960 on Maryland’s Public Charter School Program and school facilities funding rules, which was referred to the Rules Committee. Two bond initiatives were also read and sent to the Capital Budget Subcommittee: one for Carol Classical Charter School and one for Springboard Community Services’ Youth and Training Center. House Bills 28 and 226 were received from the House and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate then announced that executive nominations would likely be held until the next day so more members could be present for votes. Caucus meetings were announced for the following morning, and a Senate Pass event was promoted for Thursday evening. After a quorum call showed 38 members present, the majority leader moved that the Senate recess to the old Senate chamber in about five minutes, and the motion was adopted without objection. The chamber was secured as members prepared to move for the evening program.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 125 members present, the House is now in session.
• Economic Matters will have a voting session at noon. >> Environment and Transportation. >> Thank you,
• <00:10:43.279> at Matters will have a voting session at Matters will have a voting session
• will have a voting session at 11:45. will have a voting session at 11:45.
• There being 131 members present, the House is still in session.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, February 13, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 125 members present, heard a prayer and opening remarks, and then proceeded through the journal, committee assignments, and several consent calendars. Introductory House Bills 1358 through 1585 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, along with bond initiatives 34 through 37 and Senate Bill 14. House Bill 1215 was later reassigned to Appropriations. The House also recorded quorum calls showing 129 and later 131 members present. On third reading and final passage, House Bill 28, concerning higher education and private career schools advertising, passed 128-0. House Bill 226, establishing Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations, passed 122-6. House Bill 229, increasing the Maryland Transportation Authority revenue bond limit, passed 96-33. No debate was recorded on these bills before the roll calls. The remainder of the session consisted largely of committee, subcommittee, delegation, caucus, and personal announcements. Committees announced upcoming voting sessions or cancellations, including Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Rules. Members also made numerous recognitions and invitations, including a briefing on the Patuxent River sewer interceptor breakage, district nights, a Tourism Day lunch, and several birthday and family announcements. The protocol chair led a Valentine’s Day recognition of House staff, and the House then recessed until Monday, February 16 at 8:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• With 39 members in the chamber and a quorum being present, the Senate is again back in session.
• /c><00:02:21.200> again<00:02:21.599> back<00:02:21.920> in<00:02:22.160> session
• <00:02:22.720> Uh Maryland is again back in session.
• Uh Maryland is again back in session.
• 42:44.560> the<00:42:44.800> Senate session, this bill passed the Senate session, this

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 960, senate, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 124 members present, the House is now in session.
• with the Perj Mitchell MBE Prime session with the Perj Mitchell MBE Prime Contracting<01:50:55.119><
• There being 137 members present, the House is still in session. Recognizing the majority leader.
• <01:58:00.320> Recognizing House is still in session.
• Recognizing House is still in session.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted a congratulatory House resolution honoring the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the 2025 Maryland Class 2A state championship. The House also journalized Baltimore City 2026 bond/loan authorization resolutions and moved a series of introductory House bills and bond initiatives through first reading and committee referral without objection. On the special order calendar, House Bill 28, concerning higher education/private career schools advertising, received a favorable report and was ordered printed for third reading. House Bill 226, creating a Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations structure, was also reported favorably as amended. Two floor amendments were adopted to that bill: one clarifying that any affiliated foundation may only raise funds or provide support and may not run programs or set policy, and another restoring conflict-of-interest and ethics protections, including limits on family members and public ethics application requirements. A later amendment to HB 226 was rejected by a recorded vote of 95 in the negative, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 229, which increases the Maryland Transportation Authority’s revenue bond limit from $4 billion to $5 billion to help finance the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. One amendment sought to prohibit toll increases without General Assembly approval; its sponsor argued the added borrowing would likely lead to future toll hikes and that elected representatives should vote on them. The floor leader opposed the amendment, saying it would weaken MDTA’s independent rate-setting authority, harm its bond rating, and increase financing costs, while noting the bill is intended to cover bridge reconstruction costs and federal reimbursement timing. After debate, the amendment failed on a recorded vote, and HB 229 was ordered printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the work of this session continues, we give thanks and ask God's blessing upon those who serve our
• 40 members in the chamber and a quorum being present, the Senate of Maryland is now back again in session
• Maryland is now back again in session. Maryland is now back again in session.
• <00:14:05.519> Recognizing Maryland remains in session.
• Recognizing Maryland remains in session.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Rabbi Deborah Wexler of Pikesville, and journalized the prayer without objection. The chamber also recognized several visitor groups, including Maryland Realtors Day, Maryland March for Change participants advocating for infant and maternal health, and students, faculty, and staff from Avalon School. Senators briefly highlighted upcoming committee meetings and caucus events, including a Legislative Black Caucus press conference, Aviation Day, and a reminder about protocol dues. On legislation, the chamber read Senate Bill 955 on real property, condominiums, and homeowners association election rules and referred it to the Rules Committee. Two Senate bond initiatives were also read and sent to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. Senate Bill 888 was announced as reassigned to the Rules Committee. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 46 concerning state veteran cemeteries, where Senator Simon offered a floor amendment. Senator from District 7 explained the bill was prompted by concerns about how caskets are moved at veteran cemeteries, describing a practice he found disturbing and saying the issue should be addressed separately from the bill. The amendment and the amended report were both adopted without objection, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The Senate then handled a brief procedural exchange when a senator asked about speaking on the reassigned bill, and the presiding officer ruled the matter out of order because it had already been reassigned. After additional committee announcements, the Senate remained in session with 40 members present and then moved to recess until noon in the House chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 129 members present, the House is now in session.
• There being 137 members, the House is still in session. Recognizing the Majority Leader.

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 129 members present, offered a prayer, and then took up a series of ceremonial resolutions recognizing Maryland Library Day, the Clarksburg High School girls flag football team for winning the 4A/3A state championship, and the Stephen Decatur High School boys varsity soccer team for winning the 3A state championship. Each resolution was read and adopted with applause. The chamber also received and adopted messages from the Senate and House regarding a joint meeting for the Governor’s address on February 11, 2026, and the appointment of joint escort committees for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The House then moved through committee reports on several bills, adopting favorable reports and ordering bills printed for third reading, including House Bills 1068 through 1090 by consent, House Bill 273 on SHOP enrollment effective date changes, House Bill 275/277 on Medicare supplement policies and insurance third-party administrators, Senate Bill 245 on prohibiting immigration enforcement agreements, House Bill 20 and Senate Bill 17 on Baltimore City alcoholic beverages related event promoters permits, House Bill 3 on tuition exemptions for dependents of public safety employees, and House Bill 60 on sickle cell disease policies and educational campaigns. House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs was amended to clarify Attorney General review of policies before its favorable report was adopted. Two bills were special ordered for later consideration: House Bill 28 on private career schools advertising, at the request of a delegate for a committee amendment, and House Bill 229 on Maryland Transportation Authority revenue bond limits. The House also heard a floor amendment to House Bill 60 adding “Caitlyn’s Law” to line three, which was adopted. The session included committee, subcommittee, delegation, and caucus announcements, a Black History Month moment on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and several guest recognitions. The House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader until Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., with a reminder that bills must be submitted to the Chief Clerk by February 12 to avoid referral to Rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh let's Maryland is again in session.
• So, this bill was put on a voting session the evening before a 9:00 a.m. voting session. >> No, there
• sessions as well, too. Correct. sessions as well, too. Correct.
• 01:02:15.760> session.
• a.m. voting session. a.m. voting session.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, confirmed a quorum, and welcomed several guests and groups, including Maryland Library Association members, Stephen Decatur High School’s boys soccer team, Clarksburg High School’s girls flag football team, NAMI representatives, Baltimore Promise, local soil conservation district representatives, and a 911 center leader. The chamber also journalized the invocation and prepared for the Governor’s upcoming State of the State address by exchanging messages with the House and appointing Senate members to escort the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The body then took up a series of Finance Committee bills, most of them receiving favorable reports and being ordered to third reading without objection. Measures discussed included SB 14 on small business health insurance SHOP enrollment effective dates; SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations; SB 134 on Medicare supplement policy enrollment periods; SB 139 on third-party administrator enforcement; SB 199 on the Individuals with Disabilities and Service-Disabled Veterans Voting Fund; SB 205 codifying federal mental health parity requirements; SB 216 on unemployment insurance confidentiality; SB 43 on the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund; SB 46 on state veterans cemeteries interment provisions; and SB 226 on the Maryland Heritage Area Authority. Several bills had brief amendments or procedural issues. SB 22 received a technical amendment changing “Attorney General” to “Office of the Attorney General.” SB 199 received an amendment adding a co-sponsor, and SB 46 was briefly set to lie over under the rule after a senator requested time to review a technical clarification. The chamber also received House Bill 1, which was referred to committee, and SB 624 was reassigned to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Most committee reports were adopted unanimously or without objection, and the Senate repeatedly congratulated the honored school teams and library advocates.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, February 9, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this place throughout this season, remind all that the work before us will outlast this day, this session
• c><00:02:33.040> this<00:02:33.280> day,<00:02:34.000> this<00:02:34.319> session
• , us will outlast this day, this session, us will outlast this day, this session, this<00:02:35.440
• , as were adopted at the beginning of the session. >> Yes, sir. >> And so, okay.
• We worried it was the pres the session.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, February 9, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation by the Reverend Mihi Kim Court of First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, and received remarks praising her social justice work and support for the LGBTQ community. The chamber also welcomed several visiting groups, including the Poolsville Town Council, the Maryland Commission on Women, Citizens for a Cleaner County, BUILD, District 37 visitors, and child care advocates participating in an “Evening in Annapolis for Child Care.” The Senate also introduced its weekly pages from schools across the state. Before moving to legislation, senators briefly discussed Senate rules and quorum procedures, including whether the 2025 rules govern the 2026 session and how presence and voting work during a protest. The presiding officer confirmed that the 2025 rules remain in effect, that physical presence counts for voting, and that senators present may vote when called. The chamber then referred a large batch of newly introduced measures to standing committees, including bills on artificial intelligence in education, pharmacist vaccine orders, parole commission matters, lead risk reduction, solar and energy storage policy, and several joint resolutions and bond initiatives. The Senate also noted that 234 bills had been introduced that day, bringing the total to Senate Bill 954, and thanked the Senate staff and Department of Legislative Services for their work. Later, the body heard a Black History Month presentation from the senator from Baltimore City and Baltimore County highlighting the importance of historical memory and honoring figures such as Pauli Murray, Ella Baker, and Fannie Lou Hamer, with detailed remarks on their activism and contributions. The remarks were journalized, and the Senate adjourned without objection until Tuesday, February 10 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that will be taking this session.
• A lot of them are bills this session.
• <01:09:22.960> that to be a bill anytime this session that to be a bill anytime this session
• And so, I That deadline is next week.
• uh this will be her first floor session uh this will be her first floor session of<01:43:09.920>

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, February 6, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 117 members present, then 123 after a quorum call, and proceeded through routine introductions and referrals, including introductory House bills 959 through 1018, House Joint Resolution 8, House Simple Resolution 1, several Senate bills, and bond initiatives referred to Appropriations. The main floor item was House Bill 1, concerning investor-owned electric and gas utility cost recovery limitations, which was on third reading and final passage. Debate on HB 1 focused on whether the bill would meaningfully lower utility bills and whether it was necessary given existing Public Service Commission authority. Supporters argued the bill would prevent ratepayers from bearing the cost of executive bonuses and other compensation above $250,000, saying utilities can still pay those costs from shareholder profits and that the measure would save money for customers, even if only modestly. Opponents argued the PSC already has authority to review executive compensation, warned the bill could be largely symbolic or misleading, and said it might encourage utilities to shift bonuses into base salaries or harm recruitment and service quality. Several members also argued the bill did not address other drivers of high bills, such as riders and program costs, and one member said the General Assembly itself was responsible for rising energy costs. No final vote on HB 1 was shown in the transcript excerpt, but members on both sides stated their intended positions, with supporters urging a yes vote and opponents indicating they would vote no. The discussion ended with another member beginning remarks about taking on concentrated corporate power and standing with working people.

Transcript Highlights:

• Monday is the final deadline.
• I I don't know if I the final deadline.
• Uh, the Senate of Maryland remains in session.
• <00:03:15.840> Uh, members for the pro-forma session.
• Uh, members for the pro-forma session.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, February 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met in a brief pro forma session with a quorum call and the clerk calling the roll. The chamber considered the reading of the prior day’s journal and then introduced two bills: Senate Bill 643 by Senator Bailey, concerning natural resources, hunting, management, education, energy, and the environment, and Senate Bill 680 by Senator West, concerning intercepted communications penalty and judicial proceedings. Both bills were ordered read and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate also took up Senate bond initiatives, including one for the American Legion Cook Pinkney Post 141, which was referred to the capital budget subcommittee. The presiding officer noted the approaching Monday deadline for bill introductions and commented on the growing number of measures filed. The session included remarks thanking the pages for their service and encouraging them to share their experience and apply again in the future. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred. The Senate then agreed to a motion to recess until Monday, February 9th at 8:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, let's say that, you know, we've reached the filing deadline.
• So, let's say that, you know, we've reached the filing deadline.
• candidate filing deadline has occurred. candidate filing deadline has occurred. candidates<00:14
• We have Maryland uh remains in session.
• hearings followed by a voting session. hearings followed by a voting session.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 5, 2026, 960, senate, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 130 members present, the House is now in session.
• A lot of energy this session, delegate.
• I'm trying to later on in this session.
• means we'll meet tomorrow after session means we'll meet tomorrow after session time<00:29:05.120
• , legislative intern for this session, legislative intern for this session, Kaylee<00:42:52.400><

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 130 members present, approved the previous day’s journal, and read several groups of introductory House bills and a bond initiative, referring them to the appropriate committees. Senate bills were also introduced in the House and assigned to committees. The chamber then took up House Bill 1, concerning limits on cost recovery for investor-owned electric and gas utilities, with debate focused on whether the bill would reduce ratepayer costs or interfere with utility compensation and grid reliability. Two amendments to HB 1 were debated and both failed by roll call after floor leaders argued they would undermine the bill’s purpose of protecting ratepayers. One amendment would have allowed utilities to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to exceed pay or bonus limits for vital workers; supporters said it would preserve flexibility to retain critical employees and maintain reliability, while opponents said any extra compensation should come from shareholders, not ratepayers. A second amendment sought to exempt frontline workers involved in system reliability, emergency response, and storm restoration; supporters said it would protect the grid and allow quick response in emergencies, while opponents again said it would shift costs back onto ratepayers. The House also heard extended questioning about utility rates, PSC approval, and broader energy costs, including references to Empower charges and infrastructure expenses. After the amendment debate, the House voted to special order HB 1 for a later time, allowing additional amendment opportunities, and the bill was set aside. The session then moved to committee announcements, including briefings and bill hearings for Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Government, Labor, and Elections, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means, along with several subcommittee meetings later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• With our majority leader, minority leader present for this pro forma session, the Maryland is now back
• again in session.
• With three members present, the quorum being present, the Senate of Maryland remains in session.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened in a pro forma session, called the roll, and noted that the chamber doors had been secured. Members exchanged brief announcements, including birthday wishes for Senator Feldman, and the body proceeded through routine calendar items. Senate Bill 520, concerning property tax limits in charter counties and public safety budget taxation, and Senate Bill 570, relating to baby food testing and the definition of baby food, were read and referred to their appropriate standing committees. The Senate also considered a bond initiative for Senator Hershey’s Aaron’s Place Food Hub and Innovation Campus, which was referred to the capital budget subcommittee. On the House side, House Bill 444, prohibiting certain immigration enforcement agreements in judicial proceedings, was referred to the appropriate standing committee, and House Bill 488, dealing with election districts and representation in Congress, was sent to the rules committee. After a quorum call confirmed three members present and that the Senate remained in session, the majority leader moved to adjourn. The Senate adjourned without objection until Thursday, February 5th at 10:00 a.m.