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House of Delegates overrides governor to create Maryland Reparations Commission
Summary
The Maryland House of Delegates voted to override the governor's veto of Senate Bill 587, establishing a Maryland Reparations Commission to study historic injustices and propose remedies; the vote was 93-35 after a heated floor debate over cost, scope and constitutional risk.
Annapolis — The Maryland House of Delegates voted 93 to 35 on Dec. 16, 2025, to override the governor's veto of Senate Bill 587, enacting a measure to create the Maryland Reparations Commission to study the state's historic role in slavery, Jim Crow and subsequent policies and to recommend ways to address ongoing disparities.
Supporters said the commission is a necessary legislative step to document past harms, build an evidentiary record and propose targeted remedies. "We have to know what the root causes are," said Delegate (S5), who identified themselves as a physician and urged colleagues to "take ownership of the past" and not delay study. "The time is now," the delegate said.
Opponents warned the commission's mandate is…
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