Maryland Question 1: State employee agreements and the budget
Maryland · Constitutional amendment · Labor · Statewide decision
Explanation reviewed 2026-10-27. AI-written and checked against linked official evidence; not an election-office summary.
AI-written summary
Would require the governor’s proposed budget to include money for wages, hours, benefits and other terms of state-employee collective bargaining agreements, including terms determined by neutral arbitration. Related statutory arbitration changes are contingent on approval; appropriations still require legislative action.
What applies now
State employees already bargain under existing law. The constitution does not contain this proposed requirement to fund all employment terms in agreements or binding arbitration awards.
If yes / for
Adopt the constitutional budget obligation and enable the contingent arbitration changes.
If no / against
Keep the current constitutional and contingent-law arrangements.
Costs and funding
The official HB604 note estimates at least $150,000 more annually from fiscal 2028 for arbitration and staff, potentially much more. Personnel spending could change significantly from fiscal 2029; the amount depends on agreements and appropriations.
Timing
Approval enables the contingent statutory provisions. The fiscal note models administrative spending from fiscal 2028 and personnel effects as early as fiscal 2029; a single implementation date is not established here.
Passage rule
A majority of votes cast on the amendment.