Maryland General Assembly

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The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body composed of the Maryland Senate and the Maryland House of Delegates. The General Assembly meets in the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland.

Structure

The Maryland General Assembly consists of two houses:

• The Maryland Senate, which has 47 members.
• The Maryland House of Delegates, which has 141 members.

Each member of the General Assembly is elected from a legislative district for a four-year term. Legislative districts are drawn to ensure equal representation based on population.

Leadership

The leadership of the Maryland General Assembly includes:

• The President of the Maryland Senate
• The Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates

These leaders are elected by their respective chambers and play a crucial role in the legislative process, including the assignment of bills to committees and the scheduling of debates.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in the Maryland General Assembly involves several steps: 1. **Introduction of Bills**: Bills can be introduced by any member of the General Assembly. 2. **Committee Review**: Bills are referred to relevant standing committees for review and recommendations. 3. **Debate and Voting**: Bills are debated and voted on in both houses. A bill must pass both the Senate and the House of Delegates to become law. 4. **Governor's Approval**: Once passed by both houses, a bill is sent to the Governor of Maryland for approval or veto.

Sessions

The Maryland General Assembly meets annually for a 90-day session beginning in January. Special sessions can be called by the Governor or by a majority of the members of both houses.

History

The Maryland General Assembly was established in 1634, making it one of the oldest legislative bodies in the United States. It has played a significant role in the history of Maryland and has evolved over the centuries to meet the changing needs of the state.

Committees

The General Assembly has several standing committees, including:

• Budget and Taxation Committee
• Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee
• Judicial Proceedings Committee
• Appropriations Committee
• Economic Matters Committee
• Health and Government Operations Committee

Related Pages

• Maryland Senate
• Maryland House of Delegates
• Governor of Maryland
• Maryland State House
• Legislative district
• Standing committee