The Maryland legislature is set to adjourn Monday, with lawmakers scrambling to pass key legislation throughout the night. Follow along on this page for live updates as CNS reporters cover Sine Die from Annapolis. Follow along on Instagram & X.
House Speaker says she did her best in first session
1:04 a.m. ET
By Rhiannon Evans and Alexander Taylor | Reporting from Annapolis
House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, D-Anne Arundel and Price George’s, and standing committee chairs reflected on their accomplishments this session at a news conference after the legislative session ended.
“You know, I dont know if there’s anything I would’ve done differently because I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “But I can tell you what I have done. And what I’ve done, honest to God, is given it my absolute best.”
Midnight strikes for Maryland General Assembly ending a busy session
1:02 a.m. ET, April 14
By Irit Skulnik & Nolan Rogalski | Reporting from Annapolis
Red, black and gold balloons and confetti rained down on the Senate floor as the clock struck midnight — marking the end of the legislative session.
Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore, smacked a special, supersized gavel to signal the end of proceedings that began at 10 a.m. Lawmakers whooped, hugged and shook hands. Many wished each other a “Happy Sine Die.”
“It was a very interesting last day,” Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey, R-Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne’s, told Capital News Service. “The Senate Democrats left a lot of important bills to the last minute. A lot of them we were able to defeat.”
Several bills made it through both chambers, including one aimed at providing some relief with rising utility bills.
“We just did a lot of really good stuff this session,” Sen. William Smith, D-Montgomery, told Capital News Service. “I call it the ‘Sneaky Big Deal Year’ because a lot of the stuff didn’t garner a lot of the press attention, but its fundamental reforms that usually would be the marquee bill for a session.”
People crowded the gallery above to watch, holding their phones to record the last minute of the 2026 legislative session. Lawmakers will reconvene Jan. 13, 2027.
Some Marylanders frustrated over last-minute rush to act
11:28 p.m. ET
By Andrew Mollenauer | Reporting from Annapolis
Outside the State House, some Marylanders said they were frustrated with legislators and their rush to act on bills so late in the session.
Richard Kaplowitz, 73, of Frederick, was at Lawyers’ Mall, a plaza near the State House, tuning into the session via YouTube. He said he was following bills related to elections, artificial intelligence and other issues. He said he wants lawmakers to feel a sense of urgency as the session wraps up but said they should take more time to hear about the measures.
“Every bill that comes to your committee deserves a hearing,” said Kaplowitz. “Every bill deserves a chance to move to the floor for debate. It can die on the floor, but it should not die in committee.”
Mike Sullivan, 67, of Annapolis, said he’s frustrated with how lawmakers have moved on an energy bill. The House and Senate passed the Utility RELIEF Act earlier in the day. Democrats touted among other things lower energy bills.
“It’s a joke,” Sullivan said of the measure. “If you want to have energy legislation, then pass legislation that will allow more natural gas power plants to be built as a transition fuel until we can get to a cleaner substitution for it. But right now, we don’t.”
Tensions flare in the Senate
11:16 p.m. ET
By Rhiannon Evans | Reporting from Annapolis
At one point, some senators’ computers appeared to stop working and several stood up to alert Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore City.
“I don’t know what’s happening, but mine and at least these guys, everyone in this area, our computers aren’t working,” Sen. William Folden, R– Frederick, said, gesturing to his seatmates. ‘’We weren’t able to access the voting lists or anything on this whole calendar.”
Ferguson seemed to have little sympathy telling senators to just view the bill calendar on the website.
“It’s all in the agenda,” Ferguson said. “It’s in the agendas on the main pad.”
After more lively debate, Ferguson reminded senators of the long night ahead and how they were behind.
“We’re like two hours behind, just so you know,” Ferguson said. “At least two hours behind from where we thought we’d be to where we are.”
Ferguson then sped things up, moving debate along and leaving very little time between the clerk’s reading of bills and his calls to cast a vote.
Holding off to salute an honoree
11:05 p.m. ET
By Rhiannon Evans | Reporting from Annapolis
The Senate reconvened nearly 20 minutes later than planned, crawling to a start with only 29 senators present.
Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore City, tried to stall, starting the agenda with messages from the House, but quickly ran out of items he could move to that didn’t require the full Senate body’s presence.
The moment Ferguson was waiting for? Honoring and commemorating Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R– Anne Arundel, who is retiring after 19 years in the Senate.
“I think we have enough folks here with us, so we are going to take a quick moment and pause,” Ferguson said Monday night. “We have our fourth senator who is retiring, actually, our longest serving senator that is retiring, he has spent many years in the body.”
Ferguson said among Simonaire’s many accomplishments is that he has impressive chess skills. He shared how the senator once played a three-hour chess match with then state Sen. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat. The match ended in a tie. Raskin now serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I remember when I first entered the Senate I was so naive and young,” Simonaire said. “Twenty years later, I am neither naive nor young.”
House passes bill requiring businesses to accept cash for essential goods
11:00 p.m. ET
By Irit Skulnik | Reporting from Annapolis
The House passed a bill prohibiting merchants at brick-and-mortar retail stores from refusing cash payments for purchases less than $300.
The bill, “Consumer Protection – Retail Transactions – Cash Payments,” was amended to only be applicable to buying “essential consumer goods.” That includes food, water, ice, toiletries, cleaning supplies, medicine and fuel.
“No person should be prohibited from using legal tender when trying to buy groceries at the supermarket or clothes at a clothing store,” Del. Gregory Wims, D-Montgomery, said at a House hearing in February. Wims is the lone sponsor of the bill.
Opponents of the bill cited concerns with a cash mandate, Capital News Service previously reported. Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, told Capital News Service in March that accepting cash payments can increase operational costs and safety risks for businesses.
The bill passed 100-27.
House passes bill forcing guns to be investigated, destroyed on buyback
9:47 p.m. ET
By Nolan Rogalski | Reporting from Annapolis
A bill that would force gun buyback programs to destroy firearms they receive is on its way to Gov. Wes Moore despite strong pushback from House Republicans.
“I just want to make sure folks understand that this is kind of a cobbled-together solution for several different programs,” Del. Lauren Arikan, R-Harford, said on the House floor. “Right now, gun buyback programs are kind of like, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ you just drop the gun. But this bill … will have to make sure that these firearms have not been used in crimes.”
Under the bill, if an agency or licensee does not investigate whether a gun was used in a crime and destroyed the weapon, it would be fined up to $10,000 per violation.
The measure would also require the Secretary of State Police to revoke licenses of dealers who violate the new protocol. The bill passed 96-36.
Senators debate over adjournment length as Sine Die continues into the night
9:43 p.m. ET
By Irit Skulnik | Reporting from Annapolis
As the Senate chamber adjourned for a break at 8:05 p.m., some lawmakers pushed for a longer recess. They had been discussing bills throughout the day.
When Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore, announced that lawmakers should return by 9 p.m., some legislators shouted to extend the break until 9:30 p.m. Others yelled for a shorter break and to come back by 8:30 p.m.
Ferguson stuck to his original schedule – the Senate was slated to reconvene at 9 p.m. Some lawmakers hustled out of the chamber, while others lingered, talking amongst themselves.
Spectators trickled in and out of the gallery while legislators quickly moved through a host of bills, including one to help reduce opioid overdoses. Del. Joe Vogel, D-Montgomery, a sponsor of the bill, stopped by the Senate gallery.
Some spectators predicted it would be a long night ahead.
Scenes from the House of Delegates
9:09 p.m. ET
By Alexander Taylor | Reporting from Annapolis
Inside the House chamber, laptops, bottles of water, coffee cups and, in one case, a can of Coca-Cola rested on delegates’ desks. Behind the chamber in the members’ lounge, were two devoured sheet cakes – one chocolate, one yellow.
At times, delegates stood up and got more coffee and pages brought over drinks.
“Oh, we’re still on this,’’ one lawmaker said as she reentered the chamber.
Some delegates leaned back in their chairs, while others walked across the chamber to chat with colleagues. “Are we going to get a break?’’ another lawmaker asked in passing.
And, as the evening continued on, some delegates yawned.
Lawmakers celebrate closing day with hats and farewells
8:54 p.m. ET | Updated 1:20 a.m. ET, April 14
By Sam Gauntt & Andrew Mollenauer | Reporting from Annapolis
While hurrying to push legislation over the finish line, lawmakers also made time to celebrate traditions and years of service.
At one point during the House session early in the day, members of the Appropriations Committee left the chamber for a brief conference. But not before putting on their hats. Some members sported fedoras, bright pink hats and green ones.
Del. Karen Toles, D-Prince George’s, along with others on the House Appropriations Committee, sported hats to mark the end of the session. She wore a stylish pink and green hat, the colors of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
“Republicans, Democrats, we all wore the hats,” said Toles, noting how many wear hats at the Preakness. “It was great because you know what we’re appropriators … it’s just a symbol of what we do in appropriations.”
One delegate jokingly attempted to put his hat on House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, R-Allegany, before deciding against it.
Del. Mary A. Lehman, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s, said she’s one of about 12 delegates who wore a tiara on the last day of the legislative session. “It’s just something that sort of lightens the mood and makes it fun,” she said.
Later in the Senate, the chamber took a moment before adjourning for the afternoon to say farewell to Sen. Chris West, R-Baltimore County and Carroll, who is retiring this year.
“I will leave with great pride that during my years in the General Assembly, I will have passed over a 100 bills,” West told the chamber. “Some of them important, some of them less so.”
Supporters lobby to keep open Baltimore charter school
8:17 p.m. ET
By Andrew Mollenauer | Reporting from Annapolis
Just steps from the State House, students, parents and administrators from the Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys stood outside Monday evening calling for Maryland lawmakers to support efforts to keep their school open.
Mason Cottrell, 13, a seventh grader at the school, held up a sign that urged lawmakers to keep the school open and “stop harming our community.”
“I don’t want the school to close because of how much it helped me in my journey so far, academic-wise,” Cottrell, of Baltimore, said.
Maryland lawmakers were considering a bill that would require the Mayor of Baltimore to hold a public hearing to select candidates for the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, which voted in January to close the school.
Rep. John Olszewski, Jr., also stopped by and briefly spoke to the group.
“The most important thing we can do is support and invest in our young people,’’ he told them. “I want to thank you all for participating in and advocating for young people here … I just want to applaud you for your presence and for your work.”
Sheena Smith, an organizer of the protest, said the school is worth saving because of its positive impact on boys in the community, including its crime prevention efforts.
“More young men are graduating versus committing crimes,’’ Smith said. “That’s why we’re supporting it.”
Senate approves Utility RELIEF Act over GOP objection
6:53 p.m. ET
By Rhiannon Evans | Reporting from Annapolis
Senate Republicans slammed a latest version of the Utility RELIEF Act bill that Senate and House Democrats supported earlier in the day, saying it won’t do enough to reduce what ratepayers will have to shell out each month.
“I think what the unfortunate situation is, what we really needed was energy policy reform, not relief,” Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey, R– Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne’s, said in the chamber. “We had the opportunity over 90 days to really do something different because we missed the boat last year. We didn’t do enough last year.”
In a press conference earlier in the day, Gov. Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, D– Baltimore City, and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, D– Anne Arundel and Prince George’s, announced an agreement over the bill. The House approved it soon after.
After more than a half hour of debate in the Senate, the chamber passed a motion by Sen. Nancy King, D– Montgomery, to limit debate.
When Sen. William Folden, R– Frederick, stood up to ask questions and was told he had two minutes to make his case, he jokingly asked why Ferguson assumed he was testifying against the bill.
Ferguson responded with a deadpan, “Time still runs.”
The bill passed 35-11, and will be sent to Moore’s desk.
House passes Korean American Day bill
6:40 p.m. ET
By Alexander Taylor | Reporting from Annapolis
The House passed a bill that would recognize Jan. 13 as Korean American Day.
In emotional remarks, Del. Mark Chang, D-Anne Arundel, shared the challenging experiences of his parents, who immigrated from Korea to the U.S. with only a couple hundred dollars. Many members of the House stood and clapped after Chang’s remarks.
Before the vote on the bill, Del. Antonino Mangione, R-Baltimore County, offered an amendment that would make Oct. 1 Italian American Day. But some delegates said it deserved its own bill, not an amendment.
The amendment failed, but House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel, said she would work on a bill recognizing Italian American Day next session. There was another round of applause.
WATCH: U.S. Reps. address Maryland lawmakers
6:30 p.m. ET
By Rhiannon Evans | Reporting from Annapolis
U.S. Reps. Johnny Olszewski, D–Maryland, and Sarah Elfreth, D–Maryland, addressed Maryland lawmakers on the last day of the session. Here are their remarks to the Maryland state Senate chamber on Sine Die:
U.S. Reps. Johnny Olszewski and Sarah Elfreth addressed #Maryland lawmakers on the last day of the session. Here were their remarks to the Senate: pic.twitter.com/9ArIEclqnr
— Capital News Service (@CNSmd) April 13, 2026
Advocates and lobbyists mark the end of session with celebrations
5:19 p.m. ET
By Rhiannon Evans | Reporting from Annapolis
While inside the State House lawmakers negotiated and debated about pressing legislation, there was another buzz outside.
Some lawmakers, candidates and others mingled outside the nearby offices of lobbyists and advocates. Some had blue and white balloons at their entrances, while inside others there was lively chatter and music.
Christa Tichy, a Democrat candidate looking to replace retiring Del. Bonnie Cullison, D-Montgomery, joined the festivities at the office of the Maryland State & D.C. AFL-CIO.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate what’s going through, what needs to happen to push something through last minute and what needs to be ironed out next year,” Tichy said.
The labor union handed out Maryland Crab soup and beverages to invitees. Other advocacy groups, lobbyists and labor unions served barbecue, whipped up omelettes and hosted receptions throughout the day.
“It’s a good show of camaraderie and solidarity,” Tichy said.
Utility RELIEF Act takes center stage
4:10 p.m. ET, April 13
By Sam Gauntt | Reporting from Annapolis
Early in the day, Gov. Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk, all Democrats, announced an agreement on the Utility RELIEF Act.
The sweeping energy reform legislation aimed to lower Marylanders’ monthly energy bills by at least $150 a year. It would, among other things, further limit the development of data centers, use $100 million from the state’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund to lower ratepayers’ energy costs, invest in renewable energy and increase accountability for utilities.
Moore said Maryland must take an “all of the above” approach to addressing its energy issues. He said rising energy costs are made worse by the Trump Administration’s actions and the war in Iran.
WATCH:
Here’s some of what @GovWesMoore had to say about the Utility RELIEF Act at a press conference earlier today.
???? by @SamGauntt pic.twitter.com/gYsjoyqeUg— Capital News Service (@CNSmd) April 13, 2026
“While we cannot control what is happening in Washington, D.C., we are going to control the things that we can,” Moore said at a press conference Monday morning.
The bill’s sponsor, Del. Marc Korman, D-Montgomery, later debated with House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, R-Allegany, for nearly an hour about some of the provisions. Buckel questioned whether the bill goes far enough to protect workers or makes a real difference for Marylanders’ pocketbooks.
Korman said their disagreement came down to philosophy, not fact. He said there’s “no exact science” to balancing support for workers and retailers and protecting the state’s environment, but that the bill’s goal is to strike that balance.
After nearly two hours, the House passed the Utility RELIEF Act, 105-27.
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