Bill > SB1034

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that fundamentally changes the Maryland state government's budget-making process by eliminating the Governor's power to veto specific items in the Budget Bill. Currently, the Governor can approve, disapprove, or veto individual items in the budget, but under this proposed amendment, the Budget Bill would become law immediately after passage by the General Assembly without requiring the Governor's signature. The bill would modify the state constitution to remove the Governor's line-item veto authority for the budget, allowing the General Assembly to increase, decrease, or add items related to the General Assembly, Judiciary, and Executive Department, with some restrictions. The proposed amendment would still require the budget to be balanced, meaning total appropriations cannot exceed estimated revenues. If approved by voters in the November 2026 general election, this change would significantly alter the balance of budgetary power between the executive and legislative branches, giving the General Assembly more direct control over state spending. The bill specifies that the constitutional amendment affects multiple jurisdictions and therefore does not require local approval.

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB1034?ys=2025RS