Maryland Senate names Feldman majority leader with expanded policy role

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson has reshuffled leadership ahead of the 2027 legislative session, as lawmakers prepare for a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall and other policy challenges. Sen. Brian Feldman will replace Nancy King as majority leader and take on the expanded role of chief of policy, serving ex officio on all four standing committees and chairing a reconstituted Rules and Operations Committee with broader authority over late-filed bills and selected government matters. Feldman will also serve as a liaison among the Senate, Gov. Wes Moore’s administration, the House of Delegates and private-sector stakeholders on economic development. Other changes include Dawn Gile taking over the Education, Energy and the Environment Committee, Antonio Hayes chairing Finance—which will handle artificial-intelligence legislation—and Alonzo Washington leading Executive Nominations. Mary Washington will become majority whip, while Cory McCray will serve as vice chair of Budget and Taxation and Cheryl Kagan will take on a national legislative affairs liaison role.