The Maryland General Assembly ended the 2023 session with high drama in both houses Monday night as the final minutes in the House of Delegates devolved into a partisan shouting match, and the Senate president interrupted a motion for final adjournment with a last-seconds vote.
The House of Delegates descended into pandemonium in the final minutes amid a debate over House Bill 1071, which would prohibit police from stopping or searching a person based solely on the odor of cannabis.
The bill came up at 11:48 p.m., and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) called for a voice vote to agree with amendments made by the Senate. She then called for a roll call on the final bill.
“House Bill 1071 is on third reading for final passage. The clerk will call the roll,” Jones said as lawmakers sought to be recognized.
As the yes votes populated the tote board, Democrats the chamber erupted in applause.
“I’d like to explain my vote,” a Republican lawmaker said.
“Yes, but I also know what you’re doing,” Jones responded, as time ticked off the clock.
The speaker limited explanations for how lawmakers were voting to 2 minutes each, with House Minority Leader Jason C. Buckel (R-Allegany) and Minority Whip Jesse T. Pippy (R-Frederick) offering brief remarks.
They said there was a lot of conflict and controversy about the bill and that lawmakers didn’t fully understand what they were voting on.
What followed was a series of appeals from other Republican lawmakers to explain their views on the bill as Jones plowed through with a vote, with other measures lined up for final approval.
After announcing that the bill had passed 101-36, Jones sought to move on.
“I’m trying to get these bills out before midnight,” she said.
While the Democrats are skilled at creating laws to kill babies and other mammals, the Republicans are accused of creating chaos.
PROOF MARYLAND IS A FACIST / COMMUNIST STATE. THANK YOU COMRADE HOGAN and his COMRADES.