Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Maryland
Democratic
· State Senator
Charles Sydnor
Represents District 44 in the State Senate.
Votes with Democrats
98%
on 249 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 98%
Cast a vote
95%
Yea or Nay on 1,179 of 1,244 roll calls · Senate median 96%
Their bills that became law
7 of 20
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 Charles Sydnor 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 Charles Sydnor 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. Charles Sydnor is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
5 of 249 party-line votes.
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.
Floor Amendment 293321/1 (Senator Folden) Rejected · 2026-04-13 · Failed 15–29 · most Democrats voted the other way
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 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB841 · Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act
Floor Amendment 813629/1 (Senator Jennings) Adopted · 2026-04-02 · Failed 20–19 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB594 · Cannabis – Advertising – Alterations
In plain English Requires cannabis businesses to verify ads don't target people under 21, allows dispensary exterior signs for limited purposes, and changes social equity ownership requirements.
Third Reading Passed · 2026-03-20 · Passed 30–11 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB626 · Sex Designation on Certificates of Birth, Licenses, and Identification Cards and Birth Information Histories (Birth Certificate Modernization Act)
Motion to Postpone Indefinitely (Senator Hershey) Rejected · 2026-03-20 · Failed 20–21 · most Democrats 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
SB626 · Sex Designation on Certificates of Birth, Licenses, and Identification Cards and Birth Information Histories (Birth Certificate Modernization Act)
Motion to Postpone Indefinitely (Senator Hershey) Rejected · 2026-03-20 · Failed 20–21
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
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 · 264 shared contested votes
40%
Mike McKayRepublican · District 1 · 265 shared contested votes
32%
Bryan SimonaireRepublican · District 31 · 214 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 (65 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Maryland Delegation
YeaNayNayNayNayNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Charles Sydnor 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.
Introduced20
Out of committee10
Passed one chamber10
Passed both chambers7
Became law7
Never left committee10
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Civil Rights and Social Equity 5Evidence 4Criminal Law – Procedures 4Law Enforcement 4Time 4Discrimination 4
Public Information Act – Divorce Records
In plain English Requires officials to deny public access to certain divorce proceeding records except in specific circumstances.
Official synopsis: Requiring a custodian to deny inspection of certain records pertaining to a divorce proceeding except under certain circumstances.
Became lawGubernatorial Veto Override (Legislative date: 8/4/2026) – Chapter 880 · 2026-08-04
Courts – Jury Service – Disqualification
In plain English Disqualifies from jury service people currently serving sentences for crimes punishable by over one year imprisonment, or convicted of perjury, witness intimidation, jury intimidation, or fraud.
Official synopsis: Providing that a person who has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year and is currently serving the sentence imposed for the conviction, including a term of parole or probation, or has been convicted of a crime involving or relating to…
Became lawEnacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution – Chapter 875 · 2026-05-31
Child Support – Earnings Withholdings Limits
In plain English Limits child support earnings withholding to 35% of disposable income for obligors earning up to 250% of federal poverty guidelines and allows employees to contest withholding amounts.
Official synopsis: Specifying that, for purposes of earnings withholdings, the amount deducted from the obligor's earnings may not exceed 35% of the obligor's disposable earnings if the obligor's individual income for the current year does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty guidelines for a family of…
Became lawEnacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution – Chapter 868 · 2026-05-31
Criminal Procedure – Evidence – Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)
In plain English Requires courts to make specific findings before allowing a defendant's creative expression as evidence, with an exception for juvenile mental health evaluations.
Official synopsis: Providing that the creative expression of a criminal defendant or juvenile respondent is not admissible against the defendant or respondent unless the court makes certain findings, subject to a certain exception; and providing that the Act does not preclude the admission of a creative expression…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 517 · 2026-05-12
Baltimore County School Board Nominating Commission – Membership – Alterations
In plain English Changes the Baltimore County School Board Nominating Commission from 19 to 21 members by adding representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, a labor union, and a gifted education advisory council.
Official synopsis: Altering the membership of the Baltimore County School Board Nominating Commission, from 19 to 21 members, to include one representative of the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, one representative from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3, Council 434, and one…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 571 · 2026-05-12
Division of Correction – Volunteer Services Program
In plain English Establishes a Volunteer Services Program in the Division of Correction to allow volunteers, including formerly incarcerated individuals, to help incarcerated individuals prepare for release.
Official synopsis: Establishing the Volunteer Services Program in the Division of Correction for the purpose of providing access to volunteers, including formerly incarcerated individuals and organizations led by formerly incarcerated individuals, to State correctional facilities to assist incarcerated individuals with release preparation; and requiring the Division of…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 518 · 2026-05-12
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.
Official synopsis: Prohibiting the imposition or application of a method for electing the governing body of a county or municipal corporation that impairs the ability of members of a protected class to elect candidates of the members' choice or influence the outcome of an election by diluting…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 157 · 2026-04-28
Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination – Regulations and Discriminatory Effect
Authorizing the Department of Housing and Community Development to adopt certain regulations related to affirmatively furthering fair housing; prohibiting a person from acting in a certain manner that has a discriminatory effect; and providing that certain conduct necessary to achieve certain nondiscriminatory interests does not…
Passed one chamberThird Reading Passed (33-11) · 2026-04-13
Evidence – Interception of Oral Communications – Fair Housing Testing
Providing that it is lawful for a person to intercept an oral communication if the person is working as a fair housing tester for a fair housing testing program operated by the federal government, the State, a local government, or a nonprofit civil rights organization…
Passed one chamberThird Reading Passed with Amendments (113-19) · 2026-04-13
Baltimore County Board of Education – Alterations of Elected Member Districts and Establishment of Redistricting Process
Requiring certain members of the Baltimore County Board of Education to be elected from certain districts in certain elections; and requiring the chair of the Baltimore County delegation to the General Assembly to introduce legislation to reapportion certain school board districts in a certain manner…
Passed one chamberHearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-03-25
Baltimore County – Alcoholic Beverages – Manufacturer's Limited Beer, Wine, and Liquor Permit
Establishing a manufacturer's limited beer, wine, and liquor permit in Baltimore County; authorizing the Board of License Commissioners for Baltimore County to issue the permit to the holder of a specific manufacturer's license; and requiring the Board to adopt certain regulations; etc.
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-03-02
Apology and Acknowledgement of the State's Responsibility in Racial Terror Lynchings
Issuing an apology and acknowledging the State's complicity and negligence in allowing the perpetration of acts of racial terror lynching; and committing to taking reparative actions as recommended by the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Not out of committeeHearing 3/12 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-16
Economic Development Activity – Nondisclosure Agreements
Prohibiting certain individuals from entering into a nondisclosure agreement with a person involved in an economic development activity, including establishing or operating a data center; including public service companies as an instrumentality of the State for the purpose of the Public Information Act; etc.
Not out of committeeHearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m. (Education, Energy, and the Environment) · 2026-02-16
Motor Vehicles – Driver's Licenses – Eligibility
Altering the eligibility standards and requirements for the issuance of provisional driver's licenses and original driver's licenses.
Not out of committeeHearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-12
Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System – Establishment
Establishing the Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System to study and make recommendations on certain matters involving the disparate treatment of African Americans, Hispanics, and other non-White individuals in the State's criminal justice system and other criminal justice…
Not out of committeeHearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-12
“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).
Primary Office
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