Maryland Legislature to Convene for Special Session on Redistricting
Maryland’s presiding officers have called for a special legislative session in Annapolis, centered entirely on congressional redistricting, during the first week of August.
Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-District 21), and Sen. President Bill Ferguson IV (D-District 46) are aligned on passing a bill to create a new congressional map for the 2028 election.
“As presiding officers, we have directed the Department of Legislative Services to accept bill drafting requests for the special session only if they relate directly to the purpose for which the Maryland General Assembly is being reconvened: consideration of legislation concerning congressional redistricting standards,” read a joint letter signed by the Speaker and Senate President on July 20. “We recognize that affordability, energy costs, and other issues facing Marylanders remain important and the Maryland General Assembly took meaningful steps to address many of those concerns during the 2026 session.”
A proposed redistricting map passed the House 99-37 during the legislative session earlier this year, but was not taken to a vote by the State Senate. Peña-Melnyk called on other leaders to “meet the moment” as Florida legislators redrew their districts in February.
During the session, Ferguson’s case against undertaking redistricting centered on the possibility of Maryland’s Supreme Court choosing to draw a map that would be more favorable for Republicans.
“For the umpteenth time, in the Senate, we generally do not bring things to the floor that don’t have the votes to pass,” said Ferguson in a press conference on Feb. 20. “Even if this were a realistic possibility, the window of opportunity closed months ago. We know that to be the case because we know what prior redistricting case studies have shown.”
Moore has been a strong proponent of redistricting and he signed the Maryland Voting Rights Act into law on April 28, the day before the Supreme Court’s Callais decision, which effectively dismantled the remaining tenets of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and will essentially end Black representation in the Deep South.
“For months, I have said that inaction is not an option and we cannot sit on the sidelines while voting rights, fair representation, and the foundations of our democracy come under attack across the country,” Moore said in a statement shortly after the announcement from the presiding officers. “I appreciate the General Assembly’s continued conversations and the agreement to come back to finish the work.”
New Development Planned for Bowie State
Following Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) goal of increasing Maryland’s housing supply, 97.6 acres of state-owned land near the Bowie State MARC station will be turned into a transit-oriented development, which state leaders hope will create several pathways for residents.
“Transit-oriented development is about access. Access to jobs, housing, education, health care, and the opportunities that help people build better lives,’’ Lt. Gov. Miller said. “When we create vibrant, walkable communities connected by reliable transit, we make it easier for Marylanders to reach opportunity and for opportunity to reach every Maryland community.”
The Maryland Department of Transportation selected Mosaic Development Partners JV and Campus Apartments as the state’s joint development partner, while Prince George’s County selected BSU MARC Community Partners, LLC as the county’s development partner. The state owns roughly 4.6 acres of land while the county owns 93 acres.
“I am very excited to announce the selection of the developer for the county-owned property near the Bowie State MARC Station. This is another example of how my administration is laser-focused on economic development,” said County Executive Aisha Braveboy. “From the Sphere to Six Flags to the Blue Line Corridor to New Carrollton to Suitland and beyond, we are elevating the quality of development throughout the county to bring the much-needed retail, housing and entertainment our residents deserve. I look forward to continued partnership with MDOT, Bowie State University and the State of Maryland to advance this transit-oriented development.”
Bowie State President Dr. Aminta Breaux is excited to see this growth in the university’s backyard.
“This transformative investment represents far more than a transit project. It is an investment in our students, Bowie State University, and the future of the region,” said Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, president of Bowie State University. “This development advances our vision for Bowie State to continue serving as an anchor institution that expands opportunity, strengthens communities and contributes to the economic vitality of our community.”
