Ways and Means Committee advances multiple bills, adopts amendments and refers city tax-rate proposal to interim study

The Ways and Means Committee held a vote session during which members moved a large slate of Senate bills favorably, adopted several subcommittee amendments and referred a city property tax-rate bill to an interim study.

Committee action centered on routine favorable reports but included several items with substantive amendments. Members approved bills affecting election procedures, student scholarships, school staffing ratios, a Western Maryland economic program and rules for special elections. The committee also voted to send House Bill 1178 to an interim study after a motion by a committee member.

Most measures were handled by roll call votes and moved as "favorable" to the next stage. Several bills were described to the committee in brief by sponsors or the member calling the bill, and subcommittee amendments were adopted where noted.

Votes at a glance - SB 183 — Moved and passed in committee as favorable. (Called on Delegate Wells.) - SB 257 — "Election Law — Notice to…