Courtney Watson is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 9B who has served since January 2019 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2]An insurance executive, she previously served on the Howard County Council and the Howard County Board of Education and sits on the House Appropriations Committee.[1]
Watson was born in Baltimore, attended Atholton High School, and earned a bachelor's degree and an MBA from Loyola University.[1]She was an assistant vice president at Charter Corporation from 1984 to 1991, a vice president at Rossmann Hurt Hoffman from 1992 to 2017, and has been an insurance executive at HUB International Mid-Atlantic since 2017.[1]
Watson was a member and chair of the Board of Education of Howard County from 2002 to 2006 and a member and chair of the Howard County Council from 2006 to 2014.[1]She served on the Howard Community College Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2018 and was president of the Electoral College of Maryland in 2016.[1]She was first elected to the House in 2018 and took office on January 9, 2019.[1][2]She served on the Economic Matters Committee from 2019 to 2022 and has been a member of the Appropriations Committee since 2023, where she chairs the Transportation and Environment Subcommittee; she was a Deputy Majority Whip from 2023 to 2026.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
›Jobs & cost of living518 with · 0 against518 votes
On the version voted Mar 30, 2026: Adjusts state finances for the fiscal 2027 budget by cutting or delaying mandated spending, shifting some teacher pension costs to counties, limiting certain federal depreciation tax breaks, and moving money among state funds, among other changes.
On the version voted Apr 7, 2025: Adjusts state finances for the fiscal 2026 budget: adds higher top income tax brackets, raises the standard deduction, imposes a 2% capital gains surtax for incomes over $350,000 and a 3% sales tax on data and IT services, raises vehicle excise and cannabis taxes, and cuts mandated spending.
On the version voted Mar 13, 2026: Bars private schools that take part in state-funded programs from withholding transcripts, charging more for them, or otherwise using them to collect debts owed by current or former students, starting July 1, 2026.
On the version voted Feb 10, 2026: Bars county and municipal election methods that dilute the voting strength of race, color or language minority groups where voting is polarized; lets the Attorney General or others sue, and lets courts order remedies. Statewide elections are excluded.
On the version voted Apr 9, 2026: Removes the Parole Commission's authority to permanently deny parole, entitles denied incarcerated people to later hearings at set intervals, and changes hearing, decision, recording, and appeal requirements.
On the version voted Apr 8, 2026: Bans making, selling, buying or transferring pistols that can be easily converted into machine guns starting January 1, 2027, with exceptions such as police and transfers to immediate family, punishable by up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Repeals the misdemeanor ban on selling contraceptives or contraceptive devices from vending machines at kindergarten, nursery, elementary, and secondary schools.
On the version voted Apr 8, 2026: Requires the Secretary of Health to publish recommendations for immunizations, screenings and preventive services. Lets pharmacists give recommended vaccines to anyone age 7 or older, and changes health insurance coverage requirements for these services, applying to plans from January 1, 2027.
Lets the Maryland Department of the Environment require companies accredited for lead paint abatement to carry a performance bond or liability insurance.
On the version voted Apr 1, 2026: Extends the current low-income student count method for compensatory education and concentration of poverty grants through fiscal 2028, adds teacher certification options, and delays the National Board Certification requirement for licensed principals from 2029 to 2034.
On the version voted Mar 13, 2026: Bars private schools that take part in state-funded programs from withholding transcripts, charging more for them, or otherwise using them to collect debts owed by current or former students, starting July 1, 2026.
Repeals the misdemeanor ban on selling contraceptives or contraceptive devices from vending machines at kindergarten, nursery, elementary, and secondary schools.
Requires the Department of Natural Resources to mandate nonlead ammunition for hunting all game by July 1, 2030, except where nonlead ammunition is not commercially available for a specific firearm. Sets a civil fine up to $750 for a first offense.
On the version voted Apr 10, 2026: Requires the Department of Natural Resources to create and maintain a list of vernal pools, seasonal water-filled depressions that provide wildlife habitat, and to train designated state environment department staff to identify possible vernal pools and report them for the list.
Requires local governments, starting July 1, 2026, to notify the Department of the Environment within 10 business days of accepting a permit application for a new building of 35,000 square feet or more, listing its address, type and planned energy sources.
On the version voted Apr 8, 2026: Replaces the separate lists of required elements in county and municipal comprehensive plans with one list of eight elements for all local governments, including land, transportation, housing, economy, equity, resilience, place and ecology, and directs state agencies to provide planning data and help.
On the version voted Apr 10, 2026: Waives state fees for homeless people for copies of vital records and certain driver's license, vehicle and emissions inspection fees, and cuts the wait before homeless youth under 19 with learner's permits can take the driving test from nine months to three.
Requires the Maryland Department of Transportation to assess greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled for major highway expansion projects and to carry out multimodal programs and other activities to offset the emissions, starting July 1, 2026.
Bars stopping, standing or parking in bus stop zones and lets local automated bus lane cameras, renamed bus obstruction monitoring systems, record and ticket those violations.
On the version voted Apr 10, 2026: Makes it a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, to knowingly or recklessly use deepfakes to spread materially false election information that harms or is meant to harm voters, and requires officials to correct election misinformation.
Requires county school superintendents to let children of service members relocating to Maryland on military orders apply for advance enrollment through a remote process with no fee or in-person visit, gives them access to all courses and activities they qualify for, and requires published information on the process.
Bars people not accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from charging for help with veterans benefits claims, taking referral fees, or guaranteeing benefit outcomes, and treats violations as unfair trade practices under consumer protection law.
Expands state tuition assistance for Maryland National Guard members to cover trade and career schools recognized by state agencies and to include training assistance, with the existing two-year service obligation applying to career courses.
Voted against most of their party on 4 of 943 party-divided votes on file.
Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Counties and Municipal Corporations
What it does: On the version voted Feb 10, 2026: Bars county and municipal election methods that dilute the voting strength of race, color or language minority groups where voting is polarized; lets the Attorney General or others s…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 82–14, Republicans 8–23
Real Property - Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirements
Amends the bill to start the rental air-conditioning requirement on October 1, 2025 instead of June 1, covering newly constructed units and units undergoing a renovation of electrical or heating systems. (AI-written)
What it does: On the version voted Mar 11, 2025: Requires landlords of apartment buildings with four or more units to provide air conditioning from June 1 through September 30 in newly built units and in existing units undergoing m…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 3–93, Republicans 38–2
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
HB 2100 · MD HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
YesVOTED
Motion: Third Reading (HB) Calendar No.150 · On Third Reading
On the version voted Aug 3, 2026: Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026 - Withdraw and Repeal of Duplicate Proposed Constitutional Amendment
YesVOTED
Motion: Third Reading (HB) Calendar No.149 · On Third Reading
Repeals a duplicate proposed constitutional amendment on collective bargaining for State employees, so only one copy appears on the November 2026 ballot. An identical amendment in another act stays on the ballot. Takes effect immediately as an emergency.
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
NoVOTED
Motion: Government, Labor, and Elections Report No. 55 · FWA adp - ON 2ND RDG (Rules Suspended) · FLA Del. Morgan, M. /283424/1
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
NoVOTED
Motion: Government, Labor, and Elections Report No. 55 · FWA adp - ON 2ND RDG (Rules Suspended) · FLA Del. Nawrocki /963724/1
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
NoVOTED
Motion: Government, Labor, and Elections Report No. 55 · FWA adp - ON 2ND RDG (Rules Suspended) · FLA Del. Arikan /933322/1
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
YesVOTED
Motion: Government, Labor, and Elections Report No. 55 · FWA adp - ON 2ND RDG (Rules Suspended) · FLA Del. Schmidt /413029/1 Ruled out of order Decision of the Chair
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
NoVOTED
Motion: Government, Labor, and Elections Report No. 55 · FWA adp - ON 2ND RDG (Rules Suspended) · FLA Del. Grammer /423321/1
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
NoVOTED
Motion: Government, Labor, and Elections Report No. 55 · FWA adp - ON 2ND RDG (Rules Suspended) · FLA Del. Arikan /623323/1
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
YesVOTED
Motion: Government, Labor, and Elections Report No. 55 · FWA adp - ON 2ND RDG (Rules Suspended) · FLA Del. Buckel /133323/1 Ruled out of order Decision of the Chair
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
NoVOTED
Motion: Government, Labor, and Elections Report No. 55 · FWA adp - ON 2ND RDG (Rules Suspended) · FLA Del. Long, R. /703123/1
Proposes a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot stating that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for congressional district lines, that its districting standards apply only to legislative districts, and that lawmakers may give the state Supreme Court original review of congressional maps.
