Baltimore City Senate delegation advances bill easing collective bargaining delays for sheriff's office

On March 30, the Baltimore City Senate delegation voted to move House Bill 503 favorably after a presentation from the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office. "For the record, Nicholas Blendy, assistant sheriff of the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office, here on behalf of Sheriff Kogan on House Bill 503," Blendy said, describing the measure as a statutory amendment aimed at reducing a legal determination that causes delays in the bargaining process.

Blendy said the bill is "a pretty simple bill" that amends a section of the existing statute for collective bargaining and that impacted parties are largely aligned. He told the delegation the sheriff's office supports the change; he also reported support from FOP Lodge No. 22, which represents sheriff's deputies and court security officers, and indicated the mayor's office had been supportive in prior discussions.

The committee asked for questions after the presentation; none were raised before the chair closed the hearing. Later in the meeting, Senator Attar moved a favorable report on HB503; the motion was approved after members voiced "Aye." The transcript records verbal assent but does not provide a roll‑call tally.

The delegation did not record amendments or conditions to the motion on the transcript. The bill will proceed according to the delegation's established process.