[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6614125,"mediaKeyId","2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae","parentId",2865198,"title","Votes at a glance: key bills passed or ordered for passage on April 3 Senate floor","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1432000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae&start=1432&end=1432","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae/thumbnail_1432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6614125/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-key-bills-passed-or-ordered-for-passage-on-April-3-Senate-floor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6614125-6e680c5fed8bfa83adb2820b0bac76b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078630&Signature=PXeGlw2KWXxaOaSeUwmnyo~dU5BC4qJd52einkFM~AvGiccfafDQFz3AcEdoazBEvyk29B3BrJ~Zy6pz0yE~6D-M35HB6zzSdg5nSRSJwNS9rygJ~iiz7yZqfMbBGqkc-OTWNDL0GGz1EKnKe8zYRZ2WnrTnngat2lUF31ZFq2T0lPklRFIiDpOlnTj44l~VZ-N3-1bBi4U5uL7gvsULsOaXdQJ7zueOMCNJaZ0avsf2lDp91q5kI~TbZBcLXBXZoz9-ZJ9qNvfhXls4LtOwBVU4hasJu2mgKNk9E2fuaZsBwLimDDfGvWtGP3G9xBvFYoOTMkf0vpI~SDC2OeICAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Senate Sessions","date","2025-04-03T17:53:09.797Z","article","The Maryland Senate moved a large group of bills on April 3, adopting committee reports and passing multiple measures on final reading. Below are selected items, outcomes and (when recorded in the transcript) roll‑call tallies. Where the transcript recorded only that a report was adopted without a roll call, the entry reflects that procedural outcome.

Votes and outcomes (selected):
- HB 277 (environment: water bottle filling stations requirement) — Passed on final reading; recorded affirmative votes: 33.
- HB 15 (Maryland Limited Worker Cooperative Association Act) — Passed on final reading; recorded affirmative votes: 45.
- HB 388 (vehicle laws: DUI points assessment) — Passed on final reading; recorded affirmative votes: 45.
- HB 475 (Transportation Equality for Service Members Act) — Passed; recorded affirmative votes: 44.
- HB 604 (criminal law: financial exploitation of vulnerable and senior adults) — Passed; recorded affirmative votes: 45.
- HB 913 (Baltimore City speed monitoring systems, I‑83) — Passed after floor amendment; recorded affirmative votes: 35.
- HB 161 (curriculum alignment; committee amendments adopted) — Committee report adopted and bill ordered passed for third reading (floor discussion and Q&A preceding adoption).
- HB 527 (Purple Line promotional assistance and free ridership) — Committee report adopted and bill ordered passed for third reading.
- HB 853 (Maryland Second Look Act) — Passed on final reading; recorded affirmative votes: 31.

Other committee reports and bills were adopted without recorded floor roll calls in this excerpt of the transcript; many bills were ordered passed for third reading or printed for third reading after committee reports were adopted without objection.

Where recorded, final roll calls and clerk announcements are noted above and are taken from the Senate floor transcript. Bills that were read and had committee reports adopted will proceed through the remaining legislative steps (third reading, reconciliation if necessary, and transmission to the other chamber).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session, 4/3/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate adopted a range of favorable committee reports and passed multiple bills on final reading during its April 3 session. This roundup lists selected bills that were voted on or ordered passed on the floor, with vote tallies where recorded in the transcript.","taxTitle","SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15090,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6614129,"Senate adopts bill to provide promotional support, short free ridership period for Purple Line corridor businesses and residents",391,2774000,3165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae&start=2774&end=3165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae/thumbnail_2774000.jpg","/articles/6614129/Maryland/Senate-adopts-bill-to-provide-promotional-support-short-free-ridership-period-for-Purple-Line-corridor-businesses-and-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6614129-020290691e94ef4eee812418f9e63fd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078630&Signature=oorvs2YJcImXMTccNXgVuOlPkG5iE5kpenWUS3qErTI0RgcKv6kldn7cKZyGKoeSO3gDmcZaA0O80EF8GSzvbnzJiSqFdUETFz2Mq1cqQuby~vrBrf8xGhK~uGu2tHq5qq1a-qG4hYzyOzgpgFngfLSOYhsCVFaWiVs7ayRPzUzZ9RAYEKmQrl7kYXFOGqr6QpZEHf6vbX5rHlFZA2KUpDyIx2ylcQrFh~icKLyAD7iwe~kXnqfpK4fe-owPtfcBZPG-gWMTWgoUNqBYs5Od0n4Bx~UfioJBxD6CYWDVwTqgCMgYOOnsJUzGtI8jO0Z2TmKfdgjoFr3dw5cmAtf0nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate adopted the favorable committee report on HB 527, a measure that directs the Maryland Transit Administration to offer promotional materials and services for small businesses located near the Purple Line and provide one month of free ridership to residents within a half‑mile of the line after service begins.

Sponsors described the program as a modest economic development measure to help businesses and residents who have suffered disruption during several years of Purple Line construction. “Residents within a half mile of the line will receive a pass to ride the Purple Line for free just 1 month,” a sponsor said, noting small businesses within a quarter‑mile would receive promotional materials.

Questions from senators focused on timing: why promotional efforts begin now when the transit service is not expected to open for three years. A floor leader replied promotions are intended to help businesses survive ongoing construction, not only to signal future service. “These businesses have been dealing with the construction of this line for about 5 to 7 years now,” the floor leader said, adding the promotional materials will make the community aware that those businesses still exist and are open.

The bill requires MTA to use internal resources — websites, in‑house printing and design — rather than external advertising contracts. Sponsors said MTA would implement the program using available internal capacity; the legislation sets the program start as this year for promotions and limits free ridership to one month after the Purple Line opens, with the promotional materials timeframe ending three months after service begins.

The Senate adopted the committee report without objection and ordered HB 527 passed for third reading.","The Senate adopted a favorable committee report on HB 527, directing the Maryland Transit Administration to offer promotional assistance to small businesses near the Purple Line and one month of free ridership for residents within a half‑mile after opening; senators debated timing and rationale for starting promotions before service begins.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6614134,"Senate committee report advances bill to tighten local curricula alignment with state standards",1586,3374000,4960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae&start=3374&end=4960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae/thumbnail_3374000.jpg","/articles/6614134/Maryland/Senate-committee-report-advances-bill-to-tighten-local-curricula-alignment-with-state-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6614134-f748fc5e90796ed4d05381a95cc83a95/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078630&Signature=bW6yYcb~OXcpiO3heN18pv5fhCybEqNEEAwDz6IWtGGinEsdf48JQOjxcatwlng8g7AGjMlBX4M5h2ZoDLAXtWjoPgbv8p1meOIa2C3hnoyqR3XPGotSHJWCsmZ8uytYm-~kOTR~bYtzVcc8WPjqbC9DZjISGgD8lGaZsMlx8erEsvXg3OS~Z3r0Bq2pqXESJjRtW3RSLd87I0erwgB2DApdSIw86B45nFrW180RuMAEikf-KM51Qh08-3FyGt9zuePll-FAOtQZChcWCHRP8-CeB9UV4UrEvLL2OQXrtJjtKOeVkTPKwuPQr5RoT7~XlTVb0I9sFJaZzhnJ~KOR7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate advanced House Bill 161 after extensive floor discussion over the scope of state oversight of local school curricula and protections for local control. The bill directs county boards to ensure local curriculum guides align with content standards developed under the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), requires a formal notice and response process when the state superintendent finds a discrepancy, and allows a corrective action plan if misalignment is found.

Proponents said HB 161 clarifies long‑standing expectations and establishes a structured process to resolve disputes. “By strengthening curriculum oversight and alignment, HB 161 helps ensure that all students across Maryland have access to high quality, standards‑based education regardless of what school they attend,” a floor leader said when introducing the committee amendments.

Senators asked detailed questions about definitions and enforcement. Committee exchanges on the floor clarified that: content standards refer to statements of knowledge and skills (for example, what students should know in a mathematics course by the end of the quarter); curriculum resources (textbooks, videos and other instructional materials) remain a local decision but must align with the state’s content standards; and the bill does not put detailed, subject‑level curricula into state statute. The bill establishes a process in which the state superintendent will send a written notice of discrepancy; the county board must meet within 30 days, propose a corrective plan, and implement it. If the county board fails to remedy the misalignment, the superintendent may adopt the state curriculum for the identified subject or withhold state education funds under existing statutory authority.

Senators pressed for clarity on implementation: who may trigger an inquiry (parents, teachers, the superintendent), how long funds may be withheld, and which entity ultimately decides (the state board remains the final arbiter). A senator asked whether the superintendent’s withholding authority had predefined limits; the floor leader responded there is no set percentage in statute and that fiscal consequences would be proportionate and used rarely.

The committee amendments removed prior language that would have dictated specific curriculum content and an opt‑out provision; senators described the changes as narrowing the bill to focus on alignment and accountability rather than prescribing particular curriculum content.

The floor adopted the committee amendments without objection and ordered HB 161 passed for third reading.","HB 161, which requires county curriculum guides to align with Maryland State Department of Education content standards and creates a process for the state superintendent to identify and require corrective plans for misalignment, was advanced by the Senate after extended floor questioning about local control and enforcement tools.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6614139,"Senate approves Second Look Act after extended floor debate",1560,8107000,9667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae&start=8107&end=9667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2865198-2722fe44bb8239b147ff8be7a35fdfae/thumbnail_8107000.jpg","/articles/6614139/Maryland/Senate-approves-Second-Look-Act-after-extended-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6614139-f67728d8e6cfbdd44068727b20714de5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078630&Signature=CVpmhB-3scfcS4jgsUtmQjTA55a8Jy4JNdV8DZmrc3Gluegl3Oc9osu5HDkvz92gP1DslcSOv8vYa10SyZC~t-waO2o7a-~5dLekeLxO-jCB0MxRCwkihTjcU3NP9azSq5iugbAX6STGU5t61yQgLGlw77MTv30fDGJWegLQYu-iX4e6bLLVhVTcI0A4ODOeEz6mF2VEtZnDw3k2DUpHiFMBaQhKvRsOOKcYlzgyN-AAF1wLmj0pXUY7XO141o6EX9Tgb2P~eQg~H8rKLEMrdegBgcp5k6MsvanFcAvGkzMu62y6E16Boot6AGv6islb5WwRbsbPwECo~q5ruJIX5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate passed HB 853, the Maryland Second Look Act, on a final floor vote after several hours of debate that centered on victims' interests, racial disparities in the criminal justice system and limits on the proposal.

Supporters said the bill creates a judicial mechanism for people who have served long sentences to ask a court to reconsider whether continued confinement remains just. “Everyone deserves that chance to know whether or not justice was really served,” said the Senator from the 20th Sixth District, who said they would vote in favor.

Opponents said the bill would re‑open cases for people convicted of very serious violent crimes and repeatedly subject victims and families to new proceedings. “This bill gives them, once they've served 20 years, a motion to modify, to go back to court, and have a judge look again,” said a senator who opposed the bill, adding, “my vote will be no and urge the body to please vote no.”

The bill includes multiple exceptions discussed on the floor. As read into the record during debate, HB 853 excludes from second‑look review people serving life without parole and contains provisions barring review for certain categories of offenses, while leaving other categories eligible. Senators debating the bill also noted additional related measures under consideration that expand medical or geriatric parole, which they said could multiply opportunities for release when combined with this bill.

After debate and explanation of votes, the clerk announced the final tally: “With 31 votes in the affirmative, HB 853 … is declared passed.”

The passage means petitioners who meet the statutory threshold can seek a modification of their sentence under the new procedure; the law's operational details (filing deadlines, evidentiary standard, how victims will be notified and allowed to participate) will be implemented in court practice and potentially clarified in follow‑up legislation or regulations.

The Senate debate repeatedly referenced two broader themes: the need to account for documented wrongful convictions and misconduct by law enforcement and prosecutors historically, and the competing needs of victims and communities for finality and accountability. Several senators described personal or family experiences with violent crime when explaining their votes.

HB 853 now advances to the next step in the legislative process after the Senate’s final passage.

Less urgent procedural notes: the Senate scheduled additional committee hearings and will monitor related bills addressing parole and sentence modification.","The Senate passed HB 853, the Maryland Second Look Act, allowing people who have served at least 20 years to seek judicial review of long sentences. Debate divided senators over victims' interests, racial disparities in incarceration and the need for accountability versus mercy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key bills passed or ordered for passage on April 3 Senate floor

Senate adopts bill to provide promotional support, short free ridership period for Purple Line corridor businesses and residents

Senate committee report advances bill to tighten local curricula alignment with state standards

Senate approves Second Look Act after extended floor debate