Legislative Session Hits Midpoint As St. Mary’s Officials Monitor Key Bills

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — With the Maryland General Assembly past the halfway mark of its 2026 legislative session, legislative activity affecting St. Mary’s County has entered what officials describe as a temporary lull.

During the March 3 meeting of the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, Deputy County Attorney John Houser provided an update on state legislation being tracked by the county, noting that while few major developments occurred this week, the pace of action is expected to accelerate later this month.

“This might be the shortest legislative update in four or five years,” Houser told commissioners. “We are just in that nice little mid spot in the general assembly right now, 42 days left to go. We are in a little bit of a lull.”

Houser said most bills have already had their initial hearings and lawmakers are waiting for committee reports before legislative movement picks up again.

“I figure I got maybe one, two more weeks of this at most before we start seeing the flood, towards mid end of March, where things start moving at a very, very quick pace,” he said.

Below are the key legislative issues highlighted during the update.

Gaming Permits Bill Advances

One of the few local legislative developments involves a bill related to gaming permits.

Houser reported that Senate Bill 357 has received a favorable vote with amendments in the Senate. The bill states, “This bill requires a qualified organization to hold a gaming license whenever the qualified organization conducts gaming in St. Mary’s County in accordance with current law. The St. Mary’s County Commissioners must designate a person (designee) to issue gaming licenses and may adopt regulations, in consultation with the designee, to administer and enforce authorized gaming activities.”

“No local bills have moved yet, except SB 357,” Houser said. “The gaming permits bill, favorable with amendments. Out of the Senate.”

The county supported the measure with amendments, though the final language had not yet been reviewed at the time of the meeting.

“We supported this bill with amendments, but have not seen the amendments yet,” Houser said. “The notice that it came out of committee just came up yesterday evening, but if it’s anything like the draft amendments the Senator Bailey’s office shared, should be just what we were looking for on that one.”

Fourth Circuit Court Judgeship Faces Budget Challenges

Houser also addressed legislation that would create a fourth circuit court judgeship in St. Mary’s County, an issue he said he has repeatedly discussed with commissioners.

The proposal is currently facing resistance from state budget analysts.

“The bill to create the fourth judgeship… The Department of Legislative Services has recommended against granting that request this year,” Houser said.

He emphasized that the recommendation is not final and is tied largely to fiscal pressures facing the state.

“Again, it’s a lack of financial resources in Annapolis,” Houser explained.

The county anticipated about $113,000 in annual staffing costs if the judgeship were created, while the total cost to the state for related judicial expansions statewide was estimated at about $750,000.

“So again, the yay nay on that does not become final until the budget is sorted,” Houser said, “but right now the Department of Legislative Services is against that proposal.”

He added that tight budget conditions are affecting numerous proposals in Annapolis.

“We know it’s a tight year in Annapolis,” Houser said. “Anything that comes with a substantial price tag is just gonna have difficulties this year.”

Legislative Bond Initiative Requests

Houser also provided updates on several legislative bond initiative (LBI) requests submitted by members of the county’s state delegation. These initiatives allow organizations to seek state funding for capital projects through the Department of General Services.

Among the proposals:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland – A $200,000 request for improvements to convert space in the Carver Recreation Center into a future Boys & Girls Club location.
• Greenwell State Park – Knott Lodge – A $50,000 request to refurbish the existing lodge and improve its ability to host events.
• Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department – Funding for an integrated solar array.
• Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department – A request to replace a 2001 rescue fireboat.
• Ridge Volunteer Fire Department – Details pending as of the meeting.

Houser explained that the bond initiative process does not immediately grant funds but authorizes projects to apply for capital funding.

“This is just the beginning of a process,” he said. “That basically gets you where you can show up to DGS, put your hand out, ask for the money if you want to accept it.”

Legislative Deadlines And Crossover Date

Houser also outlined key legislative milestones as the session progresses. The deadline for introducing new bills has already passed, meaning lawmakers are now working through legislation already filed.

“We’re not seeing new bills filed,” he said. “We passed the introduction deadline.”

Another critical date is March 23, known as “crossover day,” when a bill must pass one chamber to guarantee a hearing in the other.

“If at least one house passes a bill by March 23, the other house is obligated to have a hearing on that bill and give it consideration,” Houser said.

Bills passed after that date face additional procedural hurdles.

“It can happen,” Houser said. “It is just much more difficult and much more procedure for it to have to go to.”

Redistricting Proposal Unlikely To Advance

Commissioners also asked Houser about a statewide redistricting proposal that has drawn attention in Annapolis.

Houser said the measure appears unlikely to move forward in the state Senate.

“That would be my assessment of it as well,” he said.

He noted that while Gov. Wes Moore has advocated for the proposal, early indications suggest the Senate lacks sufficient support.

“The Senate has indicated they will not pass it or consider it,” Houser said, citing reports that the votes are not there to meet the required threshold.

Immigration Policy Questions Remain

Commissioners also raised questions about proposed immigration legislation related to cooperation between local jurisdictions and federal immigration enforcement.

Houser said multiple immigration-related bills are under consideration in Annapolis and noted that emergency legislation has already been passed.

“The big token item is that the General Assembly passed emergency legislation with an effective date upon the governor’s signature, banning local jurisdictions from cooperating or entering into these 287 G agreements with federal law enforcement,” he said.

The agreements allow local law enforcement to assist federal immigration enforcement efforts.

“Now, per state law, they cannot do that,” Houser said.

He said further clarification on how the law may affect local agencies would likely require input from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.

You can read about Gov. Wes Moore’s policy here and the law effective SB 245/HB 444.

Budget Discussions Expected To Intensify

Looking ahead, Houser said the next major development in Annapolis will likely revolve around the state’s budget.

A hearing on the state’s Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act was scheduled the following day.

“That is probably gonna be the first big shoe to drop in the budget,” Houser said. “Where you’re really gonna start seeing people talking out in public… how they’re gonna try and start solving that puzzle and fitting the pieces together.”

For now, however, Houser said the legislative session remains in a brief calm before activity ramps up.

“We’re just under 200 tracked bills right now,” he said. “But again, gonna be a fairly quiet week.”

You can watch the Legislative Updates here at 36:57.

---