ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland legislative leaders say lawmakers will only be allowed to submit bills related to congressional redistricting during the General Assembly’s upcoming special session, drawing sharp criticism from Republican leaders.
Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, both Democrats, outlined the restriction in a July 20 letter to their colleagues. The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene for a three-day special session from Aug. 3 through Aug. 5.
Ferguson and Peña-Melnyk said they had directed the Department of Legislative Services to accept drafting requests only for bills directly related to the purpose of the session.
“The Maryland Constitution authorizes each chamber to determine its own proceedings, and State law places DLS under the direction of the Presiding Officers,” they wrote.
The presiding officers said the policy creates a consistent standard for all lawmakers while keeping the session focused on its “defined and extraordinary purpose.”
They acknowledged that affordability, energy costs, and other concerns remain important but said lawmakers had taken “meaningful steps to address many of those concerns during the 2026 session.”
Republican leaders in both chambers criticized the decision, saying they had planned to introduce proposals addressing the cost of living, energy prices, and taxes.
House Minority Leader Jason Buckel accused Democratic leaders of telling Marylanders their concerns can wait while lawmakers focus on redistricting.
“Since we left Annapolis in April, energy prices have continued to rise, gas taxes have automatically increased, and Marylanders have continued to struggle,” Buckel said in a statement.
Republicans also contend that lawmakers have been allowed to introduce legislation on a range of subjects during other recent special sessions.
House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy said preventing lawmakers from proposing other forms of relief “adds insult to injury.” Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready similarly accused Democratic leaders of changing the special-session rules while issues involving energy bills, the cost of living, and services for people with disabilities remain unresolved.
Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey also questioned the decision to devote the session to redistricting rather than what he described as “kitchen table issues.”
Republican leaders had previously sent a letter asking the presiding officers to allow consideration of legislation unrelated to redistricting. Ferguson and Peña-Melnyk said those other matters can be taken up when the regular legislative session begins in January of 2027.
Lawmakers are now expected to meet in August to consider a constitutional amendment for redistricting. New congressional maps previously introduced could place all eight of the state’s congressional districts in Democratic hands, threatening to unseat Maryland’s sole Republican U.S. Congressman Andy Harris.
