Senator Benjamin Brooks Photo Courtesy of the Maryland General Assembly website
Senate President Bill Ferguson announced committee leadership appointments for the 2026 General Assembly, marking his seventh year in the role. Most committee chairs will remain consistent with the previous session, following Ferguson and Senate President Pro Tem Malcolm Augustine’s unanimous reelection by the Senate Democratic Caucus. While continuity is the theme across the chamber, a handful of notable shifts will shape committee dynamics heading into 2026.
The Senate Executive Nominations Committee will be chaired by Sen. Benjamin Brooks heading into the 2026 session, a position formerly held by Sen. Clarence Lam. Additional leadership adjustments include Sen. Shelly Hettleman’s move from chairing the Rules Committee to leading the Budget and Taxation Committee’s Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee. That vacancy was created when former Sen. Michael Jackson left the Senate to become Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. Sen. Katie Fry Hester will now chair the Rules Committee, and Sen. Karen Lewis Young will lead the Budget and Taxation Pensions Subcommittee.
Other caucus leadership updates include Sen. Nick Charles being named vice chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and Sen. Augustine joining the full Budget and Taxation Committee. Newly sworn-in Sen. Kevin Harris has received his first committee assignment and will serve on the Education, Energy and the Environment Committee, adding representation from Prince George’s, Charles, and Calvert counties.
In a statement accompanying the appointments, Ferguson outlined the Senate Democratic Caucus’ policy focus for the upcoming session. He emphasized priorities related to economic growth, statewide affordability, and protecting Maryland from anticipated federal-level policy pressures. Ferguson noted that the caucus’ goal is to provide certainty and financial relief to Marylanders as lawmakers prepare for the 2026 legislative session.
