Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Maryland
Democratic
· State Senator
Ron Watson
Represents District 23 in the State Senate.
Votes with Democrats
89%
on 249 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 98%
Cast a vote
96%
Yea or Nay on 1,195 of 1,244 roll calls · Senate median 96%
Their bills that became law
6 of 23
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 Ron Watson 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 Ron Watson 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. Ron Watson is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
28 of 249 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
HB1530 · Higher Education – Undocumented Students – Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility
Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator Ready) Rejected · 2026-04-13 · Failed 15–31 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1017 · Correctional Services – Private Detention Facilities – Zoning Requirement
Floor Amendment 543027/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected · 2026-04-10 · Failed 17–25 · most Democrats voted the other way
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 873025/1 (Senator Gallion) Rejected · 2026-04-10 · Failed 16–25 · most Democrats voted the other way
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 793424/1 (Senator Mautz) Rejected · 2026-04-10 · Failed 18–24 · most Democrats voted the other way
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 · most Democrats voted the other way
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 953323/1 (Senator Carozza) Rejected · 2026-04-10 · Failed 17–25 · most Democrats voted the other way
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 653025/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected · 2026-04-10 · Failed 16–25 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB351 · Civil Actions – Violation of Constitutional Rights (No Kings Act)
In plain English Allows civil lawsuits against individuals who, acting under government authority, deprive others of constitutional rights or federal legal protections.
Floor Amendment 343129/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected · 2026-04-09 · Failed 13–30 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB994 · Business Regulation – Travel Services – Special Fund, Fees, and Surety Requirement (Don't You Worry (Wurie) Act)
In plain English Requires travel service providers to carry at least $1 million in liability insurance and file proof with the state labor department.
Third Reading Passed · 2026-04-09 · Passed 28–14 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB240 · Local Comprehensive Plans – Guidance Materials and Notification to the Department of Planning
Floor Amendment 913427/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected · 2026-04-08 · Failed 15–25 · 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 · 257 shared contested votes
49%
Mike McKayRepublican · District 1 · 259 shared contested votes
40%
Bryan SimonaireRepublican · District 31 · 208 shared contested votes
32%
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 (49 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Maryland Delegation
YeaNayNayNayNayNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNVYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNVYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Ron Watson 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.
Introduced23
Out of committee10
Passed one chamber10
Passed both chambers6
Became law6
Never left committee13
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Rules and Regulations 10Data 8Reports 8Commerce and Business 7Counties 7Records 6
Real Property – Recordation and Land Records – Revisions
In plain English Removes the requirement for printed deeds to have certain margins and requires clerks to date corrections made to property record indexes.
Official synopsis: Repealing a requirement that a printed deed or other instrument offered for recordation include certain margins; and requiring the clerk of the circuit court of a county to date each change or correction made to information in the general alphabetical index on the horizontal line…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 745 · 2026-05-26
Study to Evaluate Blockchain-Based Real Property Lease and Title Recordation and Verification
In plain English Requires the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to study blockchain technology for recording property ownership and leases, and report findings by December 31, 2026.
Official synopsis: Requiring the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, in coordination with certain entities, to evaluate the use of blockchain technology for securely recording and verifying real property ownership and leases and to assess its potential for use by law enforcement and courts in resolving real…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 748 · 2026-05-26
Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force – Establishment
In plain English Creates a task force to study blockchain technology and cryptocurrency use and regulation in Maryland, with findings due by October 1, 2027.
Official synopsis: Establishing the Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding the use and regulation of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency in the State; and requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations on or before October 1, 2027, to…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 549 · 2026-05-12
Criminal Law – Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property – Penalty
In plain English Prohibits creating, helping create, or possessing a fake lease or rental agreement for real property with intent to defraud someone.
Official synopsis: Prohibiting a person with the intent to defraud another from creating, aiding in the creation of, or possessing a counterfeit lease of real property or rental agreement relating to real property; etc.
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 550 · 2026-05-12
Common Ownership Communities – Candidate or Proposition Signs – Display Period
Altering, to 45 days before voting and early voting for a primary election, general election, or vote on a proposition, the time period during which a common ownership community may restrict the display of candidate or proposition signs.
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 288 · 2026-04-28
Public Safety – State Fire Prevention Code – Trash and Recyclable Materials
Requiring the State Fire Prevention Commission to adopt regulations that incorporate by reference sections 30.7.5 and 31.7.5 of the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code (2024 Edition) and authorize the placement of trash and recycling in corridors and exits in accordance with the…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 67 · 2026-04-14
Public Ethics – Members of the General Assembly – State and Local Government Employment Exemption
Authorizing the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics to exempt a member of the General Assembly, a filed candidate for election to the General Assembly, or a member-elect of the General Assembly from the prohibition against receiving earned income from an executive unit or political subdivision…
Passed one chamberThird Reading Passed (102-35) · 2026-04-13
Tobacconist Businesses and Establishment of a Premium Cigar Lounge Alcoholic Beverages License (Maryland Premium Cigar Lounge Act of 2026)
Establishing a Class C-PCL (premium cigar lounge) alcoholic beverages license for use in conjunction with a tobacconist license; authorizing a local licensing board to issue the license; authorizing a local licensing board to permit the owner or operator of a tobacconist that does not hold…
Passed one chamberMotion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Hershey) Adopted · 2026-04-13
Criminal Law – Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun – Prior Convictions
Altering the list of convictions that subject a defendant to enhanced sentencing for wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun to include certain extra-jurisdictional crimes.
Passed one chamberReferred Judiciary · 2026-03-24
Expansion of Commercial Gaming – Internet Gaming Referendum
Providing that the General Assembly may authorize, by law, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue certain Internet gaming licenses; requiring certain implementation legislation to include certain criteria and specifications, subject to a certain limitation; declaring the intent of the General Assembly that…
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-03-13
Internet Poker Authorization and Regulation Act of 2026
Authorizing the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue certain licenses to certain qualified applicants to conduct or participate in certain Internet skill-based gaming operations in the State; requiring the Commission to regulate Internet skill-based gaming and the conduct of Internet skill-based gaming in…
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-03-13
Real Estate Brokers – Residential Real Estate Transactions – Transaction Brokers
Authorizing a licensed real estate broker, a licensed associate real estate broker, or a licensed real estate salesperson to establish nonagency relationships to act as a real estate transaction broker in a residential real estate transaction under certain circumstances; establishing the duties of a transaction…
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-03-09
Commercial Law – Uniform Commercial Code – Controllable Electronic Records
Adding Article 12 of the Uniform Commercial Code to the Maryland Uniform Commercial Code to establish provisions governing the transfer of property rights in certain controllable electronic records, controllable accounts, and controllable payment intangibles.
Passed one chamberHearing 3/24 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-03-06
Environment – Solid Waste Containers – Cleaning and Sanitization Requirements
Establishing requirements for the cleaning and sanitization of certain solid waste containers; requiring the owner of a solid waste container to contract with a professional cleaning service to clean and sanitize the container at least once per month and maintain documentation of each cleaning and…
Not out of committeeWithdrawn by Sponsor · 2026-02-20
Education – School Building Energy Usage – Monthly Report
Requiring each county board of education to collect data on energy usage and report the data collected to the Interagency Commission on School Construction; requiring the Commission to adopt regulations specifying the data to be collected and the means and frequency of reporting; and requiring…
Not out of committeeHearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-19
“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.
Loading committees…
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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