Committee clears four additional election measures, including gender‑neutral code updates and special‑election amendment

The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee concluded its agenda by advancing three additional election‑related measures.

Senate Bill 93, described by staff as noncontroversial and previously passed in committee last session, replaces gendered terms in the Maryland Annotated Code (for example, updating references to "clergymen" and "churches" to gender‑neutral and religiously neutral alternatives such as "faith institutions" and "places of worship"). Senator Brooks moved a favorable report; Senator Washington seconded. The chair announced the bill carried in committee on a 9–1 vote.

Senate Bill 5, a proposed constitutional amendment to require the governor to call special primaries and general elections to fill vacancies in the offices of state senator or delegate under specified timing rules and to appoint an interim successor until a successor is elected, was described as unchanged and without opposition. The committee approved the measure by roll call, 10–0.

Senate Bill 29 makes changes to petition signature pages and ballot‑question language to require clearer, plain‑language statements for voters. Staff said there were no amendments or opposition; the committee voted to report the bill favorably by roll call, 10–0, and then adjourned.

"10 people ought to know what they're gonna vote on before they vote," Vice Chair Kagan said in support of clearer ballot language during the SB29 discussion.