Maryland lawmakers will return to Annapolis on Tuesday, December 16, for a special session called to elect a new Speaker of the House of Delegates. The session follows Speaker Adrienne Jones’ decision to step down after more than six years in the role.

Governor Wes Moore issued the order earlier this week. The House Democratic Caucus will meet that morning to select its nominee, and the whole chamber will vote later that day.

House Health and Government Operations Committee Chair Joseline Peña-Melnyk currently holds the most visible support among Democratic members. The caucus consolidated around her after other contenders withdrew.

In addition to choosing a new Speaker, lawmakers must address veto overrides. State law requires vetoed bills to be considered at the next session, even when the session is convened solely for another purpose.

The General Assembly traditionally completes veto overrides at the start of each regular session, but the timing of this special session shifts that responsibility into December.

Legislators also have the option to take up other bills during a special session, although recent practice has limited the agenda to the central topic. That restraint comes from tradition rather than any legal requirement, so members could consider additional business if leadership chooses to do so.

For now, the central focus remains the Speakership and the required veto-override process. MACo will monitor the special session and provide updates as events unfold in Annapolis.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.