Annapolis Update: Special Session

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) convened for a rare Special Session with two objectives: electing a new Speaker for the House of Delegates and voting on potential overrides of vetoes from the previous legislative session.

Former Speaker of the House of Delegates, Adrienne Jones served as a fair and steady leader before stepping down this month from her role as Speaker of the House. Her rise to leadership 25 years ago encouraged many Marylanders to enter public service. She will continue to serve Baltimore County during this session.

The House elected Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk to serve as Speaker of the House for the 2026 legislative session. Although we serve in separate houses and represent opposite sides of the aisle, I look forward to working with Speaker Pena-Melnyk as she embarks on this new journey.

The Maryland Constitution requires the Governor to either sign or veto legislation within 30 days of presentation from the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House. In 2025, after bills passed both chambers of the General Assembly, Governor Moore vetoed 16 Senate Bills and 14 House Bills. State law also requires the Governor to supply written explanations for each veto, which can be found here.

Noteworthy Bill:

Senate Bill 116 - Data Center Impact Analysis and Report

Senate Bill 116, veto was overridden unanimously by the Senate. This law ensures Maryland's growth in the data center industry is balanced with environmental, energy, and community considerations. By requiring studies from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), and the University of Maryland School of Business, this law promotes informed decision-making grounded in solid research.

In short- this law enables Maryland to embrace cutting-edge technology development while safeguarding natural resources, energy stability, and local economic well-being, making it a forward-looking and practice strategy for the state.

Today's Floor Actions to Listen to the Discussion

Senate Bill 149 - Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation - Total Assessed Cost of Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Study and Reports veto was overridden by the Senate (31-13). This study utilizes $600,000 in limited State resources toward a study that could be more appropriately funded and conducted by nonprofit or private organizations, rather than prioritizing core government responsibilities.

Senate Bill 121 - Vehicle Laws - Noise Abatement Monitoring Systems Pilot Program - Inspection and Extension applies specifically to Montgomery & Prince George's Counties to use noise abatement monitoring systems on State & local highways to record sound violations of State vehicle law and terminates on June 30, 2028.

Senate Bill 157 - Maryland Disability Service Animal Program – Established veto unanimously overwritten by the Senate. Senate Bill 157 establishes the requirement of the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) to select one or more nonprofit service animal training organizations to match trained service animals with eligible individuals.

Senate Bill 455 - Security Guard Agencies - Special Police Officers - Application for Appointment veto was unanimously overridden in the Senate and House of Delegates. Senate Bill 455 expands eligibility for the appointment of Special Police Officers.

Senate Bill 168 - Confined Aquatic Disposal Cells - Construction – Moratorium, veto unanimously overridden by the Senate and House of Delegates. Senate Bill 168 establishes a temporary moratorium, from June 1, 2025-May 31, 2029, on the review or approval of applications to construct confined aquatic disposal cells in Maryland's tidal wetlands or waters.

Senate Bill 587 - State Government - Maryland Reparations Commission veto overridden (Senate: 31-14). This bill establishes the Maryland Reparations Commission to study and make recommendations regarding potential benefits for individuals whose ancestors were enslaved in the State or who were affected by certain inequitable government policies.

Senate Bill 655 - Courts - Artificial Intelligence Evidence Clinic Pilot Program – Establishment veto overridden by the Senate. The bill launches an AI grant program, requires inventorying high-risk Ai systems and data, and mandates adherence to DoIT policies before deploying new AI systems.

(Above) Maryland Senate Republican Caucus meets prior to session to discuss potential vetoes.

My office remains ready to serve my constituents, should a need arise. Not sure if you reside in Legislative District 7? Check it out here: Members - Find My Representatives. Navigate to Look Up, and type in your address to see who represents your district and their legislation. Feel free to email me at jb.jennings@senate.maryland.gov. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or X.

Best regards,



Senator J.B. Jennings