Maryland Senate adopts Rule 116 in unanimous roll call

The Maryland Senate adopted a change to its chamber rules, identified in the proceedings as Rule 116, in a special-order roll-call vote on Thursday. The presiding officer announced, "With 44 votes in the affirmative, Senate Rule 116 is adopted, and the Senate rules are fully adopted."

The clerk had presented the question to the body as a change in rules and the presiding officer called for the roll. No substantive debate on the content of Rule 116 was recorded in the floor transcript; senators proceeded to the vote after the question was presented.

The adoption was treated as a procedural action of the chamber. The clerk and the presiding officer recorded the outcome on the floor; the clerk had earlier read the rule question to the body. No amendments or dissent were recorded at the time of adoption.

The body moved on to committee announcements and other session business after the vote.