Senate Floor Session, Proceeding No. 25 (Legislative date: February 14, 2026) [Source] Translate

Sergeant Armstrong secured the chamber doors, and members took their seats. Rabbi David Helpland from Shari Torah in Gaithersburg, Maryland, offered the invocation, focusing on trust, integrity, and respect in governance. Senator Cheryl Kagan introduced Rabbi Helpland, and the Senate agreed to journalize the invocation. With a quorum present, the session resumed. Senator Kagan acknowledged members from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, celebrating their annual Delta Day in Annapolis, and the Senate passed a resolution recognizing their commitment to service. Introductions included interns, students, and participants in Black Liberation Lobby Day. The Senate discussed several bills, including Senate Bill 971 regarding Gwen Falls State Park rules and a report from the Executive Nominations Committee recommending appointments. Senate Bill 56, concerning data sharing by the Maryland Longitudinal Data Systems Center, was special ordered for a week to address privacy concerns. Senate Bill 99, related to the Open Meetings Act, was also special ordered for amendments. During third readings, Senate Bill 37 passed with 42 votes, Senate Bill 74 with 41 votes, and Senate Bill 82, addressing penalties for counterfeiting leases, passed with 37 votes despite concerns about its impact on certain communities. Senate Bill 87 and Senate Bill 119, extending the sunset for the State Board of Environmental Health Specialists, both passed with 42 votes. Senate Bill 125, concerning used vehicle sales, was discussed but not concluded. Senate Bill 136, related to collective bargaining for police officers, passed with 41 votes. Other bills that passed included Senate Bill 145 (motor vehicle transfer designations), Senate Bill 149 (heavyweight port corridor permits), Senate Bill 154 (controllable electronic records), Senate Bill 203 (lead paint abatement), Senate Bill 204 (Maryland Civic Excellence Program), Senate Bill 221 (child pornography penalties), Senate Bill 233 (cemetery requirements), and Senate Bill 249 (electronic smoking device licenses), all with 42-43 votes. Senate Bill 252, regarding the Maryland Legal Services Corporation Board, passed with 34 votes. Senate Bill 253 (collective bargaining for Baltimore County Public Library), Senate Bill 261 (money transmitter definition), Senate Bill 272 (health insurance for scalp cooling), Senate Bill 276 (coverage for orthoses and prostheses), Senate Bill 286 (public safety elevator inspection database), Senate Bill 287 (tax increment financing), Senate Bill 293 (professional liability insurance for nursing homes), and Senate Bill 314 (liability immunity for pet supply donations) all passed with 42-43 votes. Senate Bill 419, revising the Health Occupations State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, also passed with 43 votes. A senator changed their vote on Senate Bill 252 from red to green. Acknowledgments were made for constituents present, and a special order calendar was introduced for Senate Bill 99. Committee meetings for Finance, Education, Energy, and the Environment, and Judicial Proceedings were scheduled for 1 p.m. A moment for Black History Month was shared, and the session concluded with a quorum call and a motion to adjourn until February 20th at 11 a.m.