Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Maryland
Republican
· State Senator
William Folden
Represents District 4 in the State Senate.
Votes with Republicans
93%
on 214 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 94%
Cast a vote
84%
Yea or Nay on 1,048 of 1,244 roll calls · Senate median 96%
Their bills that became law
3 of 25
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 5
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 William Folden 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 William Folden 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. William Folden is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
14 of 214 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
HB336 · Criminal Procedure – District Court – Issuance of Summonses and Arrest Warrants
Third Reading Passed · 2026-04-13 · Passed 35–11 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB336 · Criminal Procedure – District Court – Issuance of Summonses and Arrest Warrants
Floor Amendment 593722/1 (Senator Love) Rejected · 2026-04-13 · Failed 12–34 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB255 · Voting Rights Act of 2026 – Counties and Municipal Corporations
In plain English Prohibits election methods for county and municipal governments that impair protected groups' ability to elect candidates of their choice or influence election outcomes.
Motion Limit Debate (Senator King) Adopted · 2026-04-13 · Passed 33–13 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB335 · Landlord and Tenant – Discrimination in Housing for Income-Based Housing Subsidies and Positive Rental History Reporting
In plain English Prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to tenants using income-based housing subsidies and requires offering to report positive rental payment history to consumer reporting agencies.
Third Reading Passed · 2026-04-13 · Passed 34–12 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB107 · Motor Vehicles – Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program – Establishment
In plain English Requires Maryland to establish a pilot program by October 2027 requiring certain suspended drivers to use intelligent speed assistance systems in their vehicles.
Third Reading Passed · 2026-04-13 · Passed 38–9 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB325 · Land Use – Permitting – Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act)
In plain English Requires local authorities to approve housing development applications based only on laws in effect when the application is submitted, and grants developers vested rights for five years or longer.
Third Reading Passed · 2026-04-10 · Passed 35–7 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB315 · Landlord and Tenant – Discrimination in Housing for Income-Based Housing Subsidies and Positive Rental History Reporting
In plain English Prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to tenants using income-based housing subsidies and requires reporting positive rental payment history to consumer agencies.
Third Readings Passed with Amendments · 2026-04-09 · Passed 33–10 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB656 · Public Health – Cosmetic Products – Enforcement and Penalties for Prohibited Ingredients (Crown and Care Act – Protecting Communities from Harmful Hair Chemicals)
Third Reading Passed · 2026-04-09 · Passed 32–10 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB372 · Hospitals – Emergency Pregnancy-Related Medical Conditions – Procedures
In plain English Requires hospitals to screen emergency patients for pregnancy-related emergencies and allow pregnancy termination when necessary to treat such emergencies.
Third Reading Passed · 2026-04-08 · Passed 31–12 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1135 · Health Occupations – Pharmacists – Vaccination Orders
In plain English Allows pharmacists to order certain vaccinations for people at least 3 years old without administering them.
Third Reading Passed · 2026-04-08 · Passed 33–9 · most Republicans voted the other way
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
Democrats 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.
Mary-Dulany JamesDemocrat · District 34 · 204 shared contested votes
35%
Carl JacksonDemocrat · District 8 · 213 shared contested votes
19%
Ron WatsonDemocrat · District 23 · 223 shared contested votes
18%
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 (196 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Maryland Delegation
NayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaNayYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills William Folden 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.
Introduced25
Out of committee6
Passed one chamber5
Passed both chambers3
Became law3
Never left committee19
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 5 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Time 10Law Enforcement 9Penalties and Sentences 7Crimes and Punishments 6Criminal Law – Procedures 6Public Safety 5
Criminal Law – Theft and Fraud Crimes – Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards
In plain English Requires gift cards to be valued at their stated amount for theft crimes, and makes altering or tampering with gift cards to defraud others a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $500 fine.
Official synopsis: Providing for the valuation of a gift card for the purpose of determining value for crimes involving theft; prohibiting a person, with the intent to defraud another, from altering or tampering with a gift card or its packaging; and providing that a person who violates…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 456 · 2026-05-12
Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Expiration and Renewal Periods for Retired Law Enforcement Officer
In plain English Allows handgun permits for retired law enforcement officers to expire five years after issuance and be renewed for successive five-year periods.
Official synopsis: Establishing alternative expiration and renewal periods for a handgun permit issued to a retired law enforcement officer who retired in good standing from service with a law enforcement agency of the State or a county or municipal corporation of the State; and providing that a…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 455 · 2026-05-12
Criminal Law – School Resource Officers – Prohibition on Sexual Activity with Students
In plain English Prohibits school resource officers from engaging in sexual acts, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse with students at their assigned school.
Official synopsis: Prohibiting a law enforcement officer from engaging in certain sexual acts, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse with a student enrolled in a school where the law enforcement officer is assigned as a school resource officer.
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 453 · 2026-05-12
Public Health – Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act
Prohibiting a retailer from distributing, selling, or exposing for sale a medetomidine product or xylazine product unless the purchaser provides proof the intended use is for institutional, veterinary, or scientific purposes; prohibiting a retailer from distributing, selling, or exposing for sale a medetomidine or xylazine…
Out of committeeMotion Laid Over (Senator Ready) Adopted · 2026-04-13
Property Tax Credit – Disabled or Fallen Public Safety Officer or Judicial Officer – Alterations
Altering, for purposes of a certain property tax credit for a certain dwelling, the definition of "fallen public safety officer or judicial officer" to include disabled public safety officers or judicial officers who have died regardless of the cause of death; repealing a certain requirement…
Passed one chamberThird Reading Passed (132-0) · 2026-04-13
Police Discipline – Order to Show Cause
Authorizing a police officer who is denied a certain right to apply to the circuit court at a certain time for an order that directs the law enforcement agency to show cause why the right should not be granted.
Passed one chamberHearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-03-26
Criminal Procedure – Victims of Sexual Assault Offenses – Test Kit Submission Requirements
Altering the deadline by which a certain law enforcement agency must submit a certain sexual assault evidence collection kit and associated reference standards to a forensic laboratory for analysis.
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-03-09
Criminal Procedure – Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search – Affidavit for Judicial Authorization
Altering the requirements for a sworn affidavit submitted for judicial authorization to initiate a forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis and search (FGGS).
Not out of committeeHearing 3/10 at 1:15 p.m. · 2026-03-09
Criminal Procedure – Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence – Eligibility (Vincent Anthony Fisher III Act)
Altering the eligibility criteria for the filing of a certain motion to reduce the duration of a sentence.
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-03-02
Minors Convicted as Adults – Sentencing – Transfer to Juvenile Court
Establishing a presumption that the sentencing of a minor convicted as an adult should be transferred to the juvenile court, under certain circumstances, and authorizing the court to do so; and requiring the juvenile court to make a juvenile determination under certain circumstances.
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-02-23
Public Information Act – Personnel Records of Elected Officials and Joint Ethics Committee Records
Establishing that certain records of elected officials are not personnel records for the purposes of inspection under the Public Information Act; and establishing that certain records of the State Ethics Commission and Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics are available for public inspection under certain circumstances.
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-02-20
Education – Certification of Scholarship Granting Organizations (Opting in on Opportunity Act)
Requiring the State Department of Education to approve and certify a nonprofit organization that meets certain requirements as a scholarship granting organization; requiring the Department, beginning in 2027, to annually provide the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury a list of scholarship granting…
Not out of committeeHearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-19
Courts and Judicial Proceedings – Charging Documents – Law Enforcement Officers
Altering a provision of law relating to charging a law enforcement officer with a crime to include a special police officer for the Maryland Judiciary.
Not out of committeeHearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-12
Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Firearms Training Course
Altering the requirements for a certain firearms training course that an applicant for a permit to carry, wear, or transport a handgun must successfully complete.
Not out of committeeHearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-12
Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Class L Permit
Establishing a Class L beer, wine, and liquor permit in Frederick County; authorizing the Board of License Commissioners for Frederick County to issue the permit to a holder of a manufacturer's license that also holds a Class DBR brewery license or a Class DDS distillery…
Not out of committeeHearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-11
“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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