Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Maryland
Democratic
· State Senator
Ben Kramer
Represents District 19 in the State Senate.
Votes with Democrats
100%
on 253 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 98%
Cast a vote
98%
Yea or Nay on 1,224 of 1,244 roll calls · Senate median 96%
Their bills that became law
11 of 24
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 7
Roll calls on record
1,244
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 4, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2026 Regular Session.
How Ben Kramer votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Ben Kramer sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Ben Kramer is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
0 of 253 party-line votes.
They voted with most Democrats on every party-line vote this session.
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
HB1222 · Prince George's County – State's Attorney Salary – Alteration PG 426-26
In plain English Increases the Prince George's County State's Attorney salary to $250,000, excluding the current officeholder.
Committee Amendment 513122/1 Rejected · 2026-04-13 · Failed 22–22
SB841 · Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act
Floor Amendment 813629/1 (Senator Jennings) Adopted · 2026-04-02 · Failed 20–19
HB154 · Open Meetings Act – County Boards of Education – Enhanced Requirements (Local Boards of Education Transparency Act)
Floor Amendment 793028/1 (Senator Ready) Adopted · 2026-04-08 · Passed 24–20
SB284 · Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2026
Floor Amendment 673521/1 (Senator Hershey) Rejected · 2026-03-17 · Failed 20–24
SB791 · Correctional Services and Criminal Procedure – Immigration Enforcement – Prohibitions (Community Trust Act)
In plain English Prohibits local correctional facilities and law enforcement from taking certain immigration enforcement actions, with specified exceptions.
Floor Amendment 243822/1 (Senator Salling) Rejected · 2026-04-10 · Failed 18–24
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Chris WestRepublican · District 42 · 262 shared contested votes
41%
Mike McKayRepublican · District 1 · 263 shared contested votes
32%
Bryan SimonaireRepublican · District 31 · 213 shared contested votes
22%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (20 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Maryland Delegation
YeaNayNayNayNayNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Ben Kramer was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced24
Out of committee17
Passed one chamber16
Passed both chambers11
Became law11
Never left committee7
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Reports 11Rules and Regulations 9Notices 9Standards and Best Practices 9Time 9Work, Labor, and Employment 8
Climate Change, Homeowner's Insurance, and Emergency Management – Study
In plain English Requires the University System of Maryland to study climate change's relationship to homeowner's insurance and emergency preparedness, and report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by July 1, 2027.
Official synopsis: Requiring the University System of Maryland to conduct a study to evaluate the relationship between climate change, homeowner's insurance, and emergency and disaster preparedness; requiring the University, by July 1, 2027, to submit a report to the General Assembly on the federal flood insurance program,…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 696 · 2026-05-26
Health Insurance – Material Changes to Provider Networks – Notification and Special Enrollment Period
Requiring certain health systems to comply with certain insurance provisions regarding notice of termination of contracts; altering the notification requirements a carrier is required to provide an enrollee regarding changes to the carrier's provider panel; altering the notice requirements a carrier is required to provide…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 650 · 2026-05-26
State Personnel – Collective Bargaining – Nontenure Track Faculty
In plain English Allows nontenure track faculty at state universities whose primary work involves teaching or research to form a separate collective bargaining unit.
Official synopsis: Providing collective bargaining rights to nontenure track faculty of system institutions of higher education, Morgan State University, or St. Mary's College of Maryland whose primary assignments involve academic instruction, including teachers, researchers, and department heads and those in comparable positions; and establishing a separate collective…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 695 · 2026-05-26
Fiduciary Institutions – Exploitation of Seniors and Vulnerable Adults – Protections and Required Referral (Vulnerable Adult Banking Protection Act)
Authorizing a fiduciary institution, under certain circumstances, to delay or deny a disbursement from the account of a certain individual or the account on which a certain individual is a beneficiary; requiring a fiduciary institution, under certain circumstances, to provide certain financial records to certain…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 511 · 2026-05-12
Financial Institutions – Payment Stablecoin Services – Establishment and Regulation (Maryland Stablecoin Act)
Altering the examination fee for a new commercial bank charter; requiring a certain nondepository trust company to include certain disclosures in its articles of incorporation; exempting from certain provisions of law a certain nondepository trust company authorized to provide certain services by the Commissioner of…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 513 · 2026-05-12
Transportation Network Companies – Deactivation of Operators
Requiring a transportation network company to maintain a deactivation policy that provides the policies and procedures for the deactivation of operators; prohibiting a transportation network company from deactivating an operator for certain violations; requiring a transportation network company to allow an operator whose account is…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 231 · 2026-04-28
Employment Standards – Firefighters – Payment of Wages and Payroll Information
In plain English Requires government employers to pay firefighters overtime for hours over 168 in a 28-day period and provide payroll information to firefighters.
Official synopsis: Requiring governmental units that employ firefighters to compute overtime pay for each hour over 168 hours that a firefighter works during a 28-day work period; requiring counties and municipalities to provide certain payroll information to each employed firefighter; authorizing a firefighter or the firefighter's exclusive…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 181 · 2026-04-28
Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals – Prohibitions and Adoption Requirements (Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026)
Prohibiting a research facility or a testing facility from using certain dogs and cats for research or testing purposes; prohibiting a research facility or testing facility from performing devocalization procedures on dogs or cats; prohibiting a testing facility from using traditional animal test methods under…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 230 · 2026-04-28
Certificate of Need – Intermediate Health Care Facilities
Repealing the exemption from the certificate of need requirement for a change in bed capacity for intermediate care facilities that offer substance use disorder treatment services; providing a certificate of need is not required for a change in bed capacity at certain facilities offering certain…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 68 · 2026-04-14
Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact
Entering into the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact; authorizing a podiatrist to practice in a participating state under certain scope of practice rules; establishing the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact Commission to oversee the Compact and its duties and powers; and providing the Act is…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 71 · 2026-04-14
Collective Bargaining – Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission – Police Officers
Applying certain provisions of law governing collective bargaining for State employees to police officers of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission who, in an official capacity, are authorized to make arrests and who are not supervisory, managerial, or confidential employees.
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 65 · 2026-04-14
Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace – Established
Establishing the Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace to create a strategy and implementation work plan regarding more inclusive State employment opportunities for caregivers, people with disabilities, older adults and other individuals who are challenged by the traditional full-time employment structure; and requiring the Workgroup…
Out of committeeSecond Reading Passed with Amendments · 2026-04-13
Information Technology – State and Higher Education E-Mail – Requirements
Establishing that certain provisions of law governing information technology plans apply to certain public institutions of higher education; establishing a certain policy of the State relating to State and higher education employee e-mail systems and resources are intended to support State business and may not…
Passed one chamberHearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-03-30
State Personnel – Collective Bargaining – Graduate Assistants
Providing collective bargaining rights to certain graduate assistants at the University of Maryland, College Park or the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; defining "graduate assistant" as a graduate student who is a teaching, administrative, or research assistant or in a comparable position, a fellow, or…
Passed one chamberHearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m. (Government, Labor, and Elections) · 2026-03-26
Financial Institutions and Activities – Licensing Requirements and Regulation of Commercial Financing
Regulating commercial financing transactions, including by establishing requirements related to certain disclosures, calculations of annual percentage rates, terms of repayments, and other related items, and the extension of specific offers; providing that the revocation, suspension, surrender, or other termination of a certain license does not…
Passed one chamberHearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-03-24
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
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HB2100 · 2026-08-04
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Motion Rules Suspend Two Readings Same Day Const/Rule 24 (Senator Feldman) Adopted)
HB2100 · 2026-08-04
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Floor Amendment 943226/1 (Senator West) Rejected)
HB2100 · 2026-08-04
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Floor Amendment 763427/1 (Senator Salling) Rejected)
HB2100 · 2026-08-04
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Floor Amendment 393120/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected)
HB2100 · 2026-08-04
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Floor Amendment 713626/1 (Senator Simonaire) Rejected)
HB2100 · 2026-08-04
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Floor Amendment 473622/1 (Senator Gallion) Rejected)
HB2100 · 2026-08-04
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Floor Amendment 213220/1 (Senator Hershey) Rejected)
HB2100 · 2026-08-04
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress (Third Reading Passed)
HB2101 · 2026-08-04
Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026 – Withdraw and Repeal of Duplicate Proposed Constitutional Amendment (Motion Rules Suspend Two Readings Same Day Const/Rule 24 (Senator Kagan) Adopted)
HB2101 · 2026-08-04
Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026 – Withdraw and Repeal of Duplicate Proposed Constitutional Amendment (Third Reading Passed)
HB862 · 2026-08-03
Railroads – Required Crew for Movement of Freight (Overridden)
HB423 · 2026-04-13
Prince George's County – Public High Schools – Drug Detection Products PG 501-26 (Third Reading Passed)
HB38 · 2026-04-13
Financial Institutions – Licensing of Affiliated Insurance Producer-Mortgage Loan Originators – Alterations (Third Reading Passed)
HB405 · 2026-04-13
Condominiums and Homeowners Associations – Governing Documents – Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment (Third Reading Passed)
HB769 · 2026-04-13
State Board of Social Work Examiners – Provisional License to Practice Social Work – Established (Third Reading Passed)
HB1466 · 2026-04-13
Department of Housing and Community Development – Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program – Qualified Properties (Third Reading Passed)
HB547 · 2026-04-13
Income Tax – Enhanced Agricultural Management Equipment Subtraction Modification and Parent of a Stillborn Child Credit (Third Readings Passed with Amendments)
HB1554 · 2026-04-13
Sales and Use Tax – Electricity for Agriculture Purposes – Study and Report (Third Reading Passed)
HB1118 · 2026-04-13
Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations – Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions (Third Reading Passed)
HB1091 · 2026-04-13
Health Insurance and Dental Plan Organizations – Dentists – Assignment of Benefits and Reimbursement of Nonpreferred Providers (Third Reading Passed)
HB107 · 2026-04-13
Motor Vehicles – Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program – Establishment (Third Reading Passed)
HB752 · 2026-04-13
Criminal Law – Theft and Fraud Crimes – Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards (Third Reading Passed)
HB264 · 2026-04-13
Maryland Data Privacy and Protection Act of 2026 (Third Reading Passed)
HB1526 · 2026-04-13
Carroll County – Alcoholic Beverages – Class 1 Distillery On-Premises Consumption Permit (Third Reading Passed)
HB730 · 2026-04-13
Business Regulation – Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law – Alterations (Franchise Reform Act) (Third Reading Passed)
HB593 · 2026-04-13
Criminal Law – Interference With Critical Infrastructure or a Public Safety Answering Point (Third Reading Passed)
HB1267 · 2026-04-13
Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center – Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act) (Third Reading Passed)
HB6 · 2026-04-13
Public Institutions of Higher Education – Pregnant and Parenting Students – Plan and Reporting (Third Reading Passed)
HB321 · 2026-04-13
Environment – Synthetic Turf Industry and Disposal Study – Deadline Extension (Third Reading Passed)
SB242 · 2026-04-13
Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act (Third Reading Passed)
HB1387 · 2026-04-13
Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund – Fund Producer Commission Rate (Third Reading Passed)
HB611 · 2026-04-13
Prince George’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Fees PG 317–26 (Third Reading Passed)
HB583 · 2026-04-13
Prince George’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Notice of Issuance of Class C Per Diem Beer, Wine, and Liquor License PG 319–26 (Third Reading Passed)
HB246 · 2026-04-13
Video Tolls – Class G (Trailer) Vehicles – Liability (Third Reading Passed)
HB870 · 2026-04-13
Environment – Permit Applications for New Buildings – Notice (Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act) (Third Reading Passed)
HB1196 · 2026-04-13
Environment – Water Quality Testing – Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan (Third Reading Passed)
HB750 · 2026-04-13
Criminal Law – Obstruction or Interference With Exercise of Religious Beliefs – Prohibition (Third Reading Passed)
HB640 · 2026-04-13
Mandated Reports, Boards, and Commissions – Revisions (Third Reading Passed)
HB618 · 2026-04-13
Commercial Law – Self-Service Storage Facilities – Alterations (Third Reading Passed)
HB855 · 2026-04-13
Common Ownership Communities – Candidate or Proposition Signs – Display Period (Third Reading Passed)
HB357 · 2026-04-13
Municipalities – Election Dates – Reporting Requirements (Third Reading Passed)
SB18 · 2026-04-13
State Board of Social Work Examiners – Provisional License to Practice Social Work – Established (Third Reading Passed)
SB504 · 2026-04-13
Data Privacy – Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act) (Third Reading Passed)
HB1530 · 2026-04-13
Higher Education – Undocumented Students – Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility (Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator Ready) Rejected)
HB1530 · 2026-04-13
Higher Education – Undocumented Students – Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility (Third Reading Passed)
HB663 · 2026-04-13
Department of the Environment – Federal Environmental Policy – Reporting (Third Reading Passed)
HB850 · 2026-04-13
Home Builders – Open House – Sales Representative Disclosure Requirements (Third Reading Passed)
HB1587 · 2026-04-13
Gaming – Operation of Electronic Instant Bingo Machines and Report by State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (Third Reading Passed)
HB1563 · 2026-04-13
Emergency Room Services and Post-Acute Care – Coverage and Facility Studies (Third Reading Passed)
HB1286 · 2026-04-13
Anne Arundel County – Alcoholic Beverages – Barbershop and Beauty Salon License (Third Reading Passed)
HB328 · 2026-04-13
Bicounty Commissions – Public Ethics – Financial Disclosure Statements PG/MC 105-26 (Third Reading Passed)
HB282 · 2026-04-13
Adult Protective Services – Modifications (Third Reading Passed)
HB732 · 2026-04-13
Baltimore County Code of Public Local Laws – 2025 Edition – Legalization (Third Reading Passed)
SB311 · 2026-04-13
Education – The Blueprint for Maryland's Future – Revisions (Third Reading Passed)
HB625 · 2026-04-13
Human-Relevant Research Fund – Collection of Contributions – Responsible Entity (Third Reading Passed)
HB1149 · 2026-04-13
State Finance – Claims of the State – Settlement (Third Reading Passed)
HB833 · 2026-04-13
Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland – Reestablishment (Third Reading Passed)
HB456 · 2026-04-13
Howard County – Alcoholic Beverages – Gift Basket Permit Ho. Co. 2-26 (Third Reading Passed)
HB406 · 2026-04-13
Prince George's County – Alcoholic Beverages – Multiple Licenses Prohibition – Exceptions PG 313-26 (Third Reading Passed)
HB684 · 2026-04-13
Health Insurance – Material Changes to Provider Networks – Notification and Special Enrollment Period (Third Reading Passed)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 1244 total roll-call votes this session).
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