Melissa Wells is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 40 who was first elected in 2018 and has served since January 9, 2019, and she is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2]She chairs the Government, Labor and Elections Committee and works as a regional director for the Baltimore-DC Building Trades Unions.[1]
Melissa Wells earned a B.A. in political science, law and sociology from the University of California, Riverside, in 2006 and an M.A. in public policy from American University in 2010, according to her General Assembly biography.[1]She worked as an affordable housing assistant at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a policy assistant at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and a program associate at PolicyLink before becoming regional director of the Baltimore-DC Building Trades Unions in 2015.[1]
Wells served on the Environment and Transportation Committee from 2019 to 2023 and the Ways and Means Committee from 2023 to 2026, where she chaired the Local Revenues Subcommittee in 2025 to 2026.[1]She was Chief Deputy Majority Whip from 2023 to 2026, chaired the Baltimore City House Delegation in 2025, and in 2026 chairs the Government, Labor and Elections Committee.[1]Ballotpedia reports that she advanced from the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary.[2]
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 living511 with · 0 against511 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 Apr 13, 2026: Bars local jails, with exceptions, from certain cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, requires state prisons to notify federal authorities within 48 hours before releasing people with immigration detainers, and limits police sharing of information with immigration authorities without a court order.
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.
Lets people who have served at least 20 years for a crime committed at ages 18 to 24 ask a court to reduce their sentence, excluding those sentenced to life without parole and sex offenders.
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.
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 Feb 6, 2026: Bars investor-owned electric and gas utilities from charging customers for supervisor pay above 110% of the top salary of the Public Service Commission chair, and requires them to adopt cost limits for spending such as events, renovations and incentives that they pass on to customers.
Lets counties pass laws barring landlords who own six or more rental units from declining to renew a lease or ending a holdover tenancy without good cause, such as habitually late rent, serious lease violations or illegal activity.
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 7, 2025: Requires landlords to give tenants written notice at least six days before a scheduled eviction, by mail, door posting and email or text when known, bars sheriffs from evicting without court approval if they believe notice was not given, and lets tenants sue over violations.
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 1 of 972 party-divided votes on file.
Election Law - Election Misinformation, Election Disinformation, and Deepfakes
What it does: On the version voted Apr 10, 2026: Bars knowingly or recklessly creating, using or spreading election deepfakes to produce materially false information with intent to impede voting or misrepresent election procedures…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 82–14, Republicans 3–24
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.
