ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Spirits were high in the state capital on Monday night for sine die, the end of the Maryland General Assembly’s 90-day legislative session.
Both chambers met intermittently throughout the day, as did their committees. Lobbyists and lawmakers alike mingled at receptions. And, just minutes before midnight, Republicans threatened to walk out of the House, effectively stalling and killing remaining bills.
Capital News Service captured the night in photos.
The Senate takes a recess — for three minutes
With less than six hours until midnight, senators continue discussing legislation. Politicians weave in and out as the Judicial Proceedings Committee leaves to review the House’s changes to SB 1, a bill regulating concealed firearms.
A topic of contentious debate: HB 255, a paint stewardship bill, which Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey, R-Upper Shore, requests to be brought back later in the night.
Some grow weary and impatient.
“Cutting into dinnertime,” Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore City, joked.
He orders the upper chamber to adjourn and reconvene three minutes later, giving lawmakers a chance to stretch their legs.
Delegates give heartfelt farewells to two of their colleagues
Across the hall, the House plows through votes.
It’s the first sine die for freshman lawmakers, but the last for two members of the House.
Politicians rise and ask for permission to use a colleague’s name while delivering speeches honoring Dels. Kumar Barve, D-Montgomery, and Darryl Barnes, D-Prince George’s, who are both retiring from the General Assembly.
Serving in Annapolis since 1991, Barve is the first Indian-American elected to a state legislature in the U.S. He’ll join the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Delegates lauded his accomplishments throughout his 33 legislative sessions.
“It’s because of his work that Maryland is back on the map as an environmental leader,” Del. Dana Stein, D-Baltimore County, said.
Barnes, the longest serving chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, will move to Evans, Barnes & Associates — a lobbying and government relations firm. He’s been in the House since 2015.
He called the General Assembly a “historical place.”
“Everyone in this room must embrace the moment,” Barnes said.
The Maryland General Assembly enters its final hour of the 2023 legislative session
Cups of coffee and bottles of soda line desks on both sides of the State House. There’s a need for caffeine as midnight approaches.
The Senate revisits the paint stewardship bill, which passes the final hurdle in the upper chamber and returns to the House.
But other matters kept the House from reviewing the legislation.
Chaos erupts as Republicans threaten to storm out of the House
Time is running out. There’s less than 10 minutes left when the madness begins.
Chants of “Madam Speaker” ring through the chamber as Republicans try to explain their vote on HB 1071, a bill about criminal procedure related to cannabis.
House Speaker Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore County, wants to move on, banging her gavel in an attempt to stop the uproar.
“I’m trying to get these bills out before midnight,” she said.
There’s more bills to vote on in those crucial last minutes — otherwise, the legislation dies and cannot be reconsidered until the next session.
A handful of Republicans stand up in the back of the room.
“I challenge the Speaker for the ignorance of the minority party,” Del. Nic Kipke, R-Anne Arundel, said.
He tells her to sit down. She refuses.
Heads swivel, glued to the mayhem. Legislators flip through rulebooks. To the Speaker’s right, reporters rise and stand on creaky wooden chairs taking photos and videos.
As the mutiny continues, House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, R-Allegany, motions for his party to exit. Some file out and crowd the corner near the press area while others remain upright at their seats.
The clock keeps ticking.
The clock strikes midnight
With two minutes to go, Jones calls the high school pages forward. Republicans take the sign to rejoin their colleagues.
The pages on the floor move to the front for recognition. The ones in the balconies shower the lawmakers with confetti and balloons.
“You have been wonderful,” Del. Veronica Turner, D-Prince George’s, said.
Legislators cheer, as do those watching from up in the gallery — including Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller.
Camera shutters click rapidly as observers document the moment.
The Maryland General Assembly adjourns sine die.
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