House adopts Appropriations committeereport on fiscal 2027 budget, advances BRFAA amendments
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Summary
The Maryland House of Delegates adopted the Appropriations committeereport and approved grouped committee amendments to the fiscal 2027 budget and the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFAA), after committee chair and floor leaders presented a plan they described as balanced and responsible.
The House of Delegates adopted the Appropriations Committee's favorable report on the fiscal 2027 budget and related Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act measures after a morning of grouped committee amendments and debate.
Appropriations Chair (S10) summarized the plan as "balanced without increasing taxes or fees," saying the proposal leaves a cash surplus of more than $280,000,000 and preserves over $2,000,000,000 in the rainy-day fund. He described the package as protecting education and child-care investments, supporting state employees, and providing targeted assistance to vulnerable Marylanders.
The chair introduced committee amendments in groups and moved them for adoption. By voice votes and several roll calls, the House adopted grouped amendments affecting the judiciary, public defender, attorney general, public service commission, human services, transportation, education, and other agencies. The chair noted several amendments that restore or modify funding and others that restrict expenditures pending reports.
A separated floor discussion focused on committee amendment 5, which asks for a report from the attorney general's office on its litigation activities targeting federal actions. Supporters said the report would improve transparency about how taxpayer dollars were used in out-of-state litigation; opponents characterized the language as unnecessary committee narrative. The amendment was adopted and committee leaders said they would refine the language in conference.
After consideration of committee amendments 1 through 56 in grouped votes, the House adopted the favorable committee report as amended. Madam Speaker announced the report adopted and the House moved on to a series of contested floor amendments on specific budget line items.
What happens next: The committee-adopted changes now become part of the House position to be reconciled with the Senate in conference. Members repeatedly urged colleagues to provide amendment concepts to committee staff ahead of conference negotiations.
Sources: Floor debate and roll-call statements by the Appropriations chair and multiple delegates during the March 11 House session.