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Maryland lawmakers end session

The 90-day Maryland General Assembly has ended.

It has been a session dominated by COVID-19, with lawmakers approving a $1.5 billion relief bill and a Senate workgroup holding weekly meetings on the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

Earlier this month, lawmakers approved a $52 billion budget. Gov. Larry Hogan said this was “by far our best legislative session in seven years,” citing action both on the budget and the RELIEF Act.

“We’re in much stronger financial shape now than we ever have been,” Hogan told reporters assembled outside Government House.

Lawmakers also approved sweeping police reform legislation including the repeal of the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights.

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The work on that issue was finished on Saturday when lawmakers overrode Hogan’s veto on three police reform bills.

There had been speculation that lawmakers might extend their session to wait to see if Hogan would veto the bills after midnight tonight.

Hogan vetoed the bills on Friday night, giving lawmakers time to override the vetoes. Hogan said he returned the bills quickly to avoid making a political game and to make sure his message on the bills was heard. He said that the three bills had proposals he liked but also “pretty dangerous” provisions he thinks lawmakers will have to come back next year and fix.

After the override votes, Senate President Bill Ferguson told senators that the legislature would adjourn at midnight tonight.

On their final day in session, lawmakers still must consider separate House and Senate plans to implement legalized sports betting, and they have to settle differences over immigration bills and climate change legislation.

Hogan said he hopes lawmakers pass his violent crime proposals before the clock strikes midnight.

The Senate has considered 967 bills in the 90-day session. The House has considered 1,380 bills.

The Senate went into session at noon today. The House went into session at 1 p.m.

A bill signing ceremony is set for Tuesday.

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