Seth Howard is a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 30B, in Anne Arundel County, and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2]A military veteran and former small-business owner, he has served in the House since 2015 and sits on the Economic Matters Committee.[1]
Howard graduated from Glenelg High School in 1992 and served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and four years in the Maryland National Guard.[1]He owned Broadleaf Tobacco and Smoke Shop in Severna Park from 2004 to 2025.[1]
Howard was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2014 and has been a member since 2015.[1]He sits on the Economic Matters Committee and its Economic Development, Unemployment Insurance, and Business Regulation subcommittees, and has been Deputy Minority Whip since 2021.[1]He served on the State Commission on the Capitol City from 2015 to 2019 and is a member of the Maryland Veterans Caucus.[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 Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
›Jobs & cost of living420 with · 46 against467 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.
Mar 25, 2026 · Failed 40–86 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 25, 2025 · Passed 85–48 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 12, 2026 · Failed 39–93 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Apr 11, 2026 · Failed 40–84 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Apr 11, 2026 · Failed 37–88 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 15, 2025 · Failed 44–77 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Repeals the misdemeanor ban on selling contraceptives or contraceptive devices from vending machines at kindergarten, nursery, elementary, and secondary schools.
Feb 21, 2025 · Passed 89–41 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 20, 2026 · Failed 37–94 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 12, 2026 · Failed 39–93 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Repeals the misdemeanor ban on selling contraceptives or contraceptive devices from vending machines at kindergarten, nursery, elementary, and secondary schools.
Feb 21, 2025 · Passed 89–41 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 23, 2026 · Passed 91–42 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 19, 2026 · Passed 92–37 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 6, 2026: 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.
Mar 12, 2026 · Passed 94–39 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 15, 2025 · Failed 41–90 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 12, 2026 · Passed 93–39 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
Mar 18, 2026 · Failed 37–93 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
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.
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.
Mar 17, 2025 · Passed 127–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Apr 13, 2026: Creates a special fund in the Military Department to pay for personnel and equipment when the Governor orders the National Guard to state active duty, financed by state budget money and other accepted funds, starting July 1, 2026.
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.
Feb 26, 2026 · Passed 135–1 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 138 of 904 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (40), Health & care (28), Housing & rent (23)
Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026 - Withdraw and Repeal of Duplicate Proposed Constitutional Amendment
What it does: On the version voted Aug 4, 2026: 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 ano…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 97–1, Republicans 2–34
Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit - Conversion to Grant Program
What it does: Converts Maryland's biotechnology investment tax credit into a grant program run by the Department of Commerce, requires the governor to include $10 million a year for it in the state budget, and requires grants to be…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 98–0, Republicans 13–20
Baltimore City - Ordinance Enforcement - Fines and Penalties
What it does: Removes the $1,000 cap on the civil and criminal fines and penalties Baltimore City may impose for violating its ordinances, rules and regulations.
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 99–0, Republicans 13–24
Public Safety - Elevator Inspection Certificates - Searchable Database
What it does: Requires the state Labor Department to post on its website a searchable database of active elevator inspection certificates that users can search by street address, city and county.
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 97–1, Republicans 16–20
Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused Absences for Civic Engagement
What it does: Requires public school attendance policies to allow excused or discretionary absences for students taking part in civic activities, such as testifying before or meeting with lawmakers or serving as a legislative page.…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 97–0, Republicans 17–20
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
NoVOTED
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
NoVOTED
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
YesVOTED
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
YesVOTED
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
NoVOTED
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
YesVOTED
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
YesVOTED
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
NoVOTED
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
YesVOTED
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.