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MarylandSB 01412026 Regular SessionSenate

Election Law - Election Misinformation, Election Disinformation, and Deepfakes

Sponsored By: Katie Fry Hester (Democratic)

Passed

ElectionsAdvertisingCivil Actions -see also- Small ClaimsCommunications -see also- ElecComm; Intergov; etc.DamagesDeepfakesElections, State Board ofFederal GovernmentFines -see also- Penalties and SentencesFraud -see also- ForgeryInternet -see also- Internet AccessNews MediaPenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltyPolitical CandidatesRadioRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsSubpoenasTelevision -see also- Cable TelevisionVoting -see also- Absentee and Mail-In Voting

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Katie Fry Hester

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Benjamin Brooks

    Democratic • Senate

  • Brian J. Feldman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kevin M. Harris

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cheryl C. Kagan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mary Washington

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 252 • No: 77

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 85 • No: 38 • Other: 18

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 28 • No: 4 • Other: 15

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 95 • No: 35 • Other: 11

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Passed Enrolled

    4/14/2026Senate

  2. Third Reading Passed (85-38)

    4/13/2026House

  3. Conference Committee Report {173226/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026House

  4. Third Reading Passed (28-4)

    4/13/2026Senate

  5. Conference Committee Report {173226/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026Senate

  6. House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Fair, Clippinger and Tomlinson)

    4/13/2026Senate

  7. House Refuses Recede

    4/13/2026Senate

  8. House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Fair, Clippinger and Tomlinson)

    4/13/2026House

  9. House Refuses Recede

    4/13/2026House

  10. Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Hester, Watson and Gallion)

    4/13/2026House

  11. Senate Requests House Recede

    4/13/2026House

  12. Senate Refuses Concur House Amendments

    4/13/2026House

  13. Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Hester, Watson and Gallion)

    4/13/2026Senate

  14. Senate Requests House Recede

    4/13/2026Senate

  15. Senate Refuses Concur House Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  16. Third Reading Passed (95-35)

    4/10/2026House

  17. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  18. Motion Special Order until Next Session (Delegate Fair) Adopted

    4/9/2026House

  19. Favorable with Amendments {433522/1 Adopted

    4/9/2026House

  20. Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

    4/9/2026House

  21. Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/24/2026House

  22. Referred Government, Labor, and Elections

    2/13/2026House

  23. Third Reading Passed (44-0)

    2/12/2026Senate

  24. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    2/10/2026Senate

  25. Floor Amendment {253621/1 (Senator Hester) Adopted

    2/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/14/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

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