Maryland House of Delegates

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Type
Type	Lower house of the Maryland General Assembly
Chambers
Term limits
Founded	1650
Disbanded
Preceded by
Succeeded by

The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the Maryland General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is composed of 141 delegates elected from 47 districts. Each district elects three delegates, who serve four-year terms. The House of Delegates convenes in the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland.

History

The Maryland House of Delegates was established in 1650 as the lower house of the colonial legislature of the Province of Maryland. It has evolved over the centuries from a colonial assembly to a modern legislative body. The House of Delegates has played a significant role in the governance of Maryland, influencing legislation on issues ranging from civil rights to economic development.

Structure and Function

The House of Delegates is structured to represent the population of Maryland through its 47 legislative districts. Each district elects three delegates, allowing for proportional representation. The House is led by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, who is elected by the members of the House. The Speaker presides over sessions, appoints committee chairs, and plays a key role in legislative proceedings.

Committees

The House of Delegates operates through a system of standing committees, each focusing on specific areas of policy. Major committees include:

• Appropriations
• Economic Matters
• Environment and Transportation
• Health and Government Operations
• Judiciary

These committees review legislation, hold hearings, and make recommendations to the full House.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in the House of Delegates involves several stages: 1. Introduction: Bills can be introduced by any delegate. 2. Committee Review: Bills are assigned to relevant committees for study and recommendation. 3. Floor Debate: Bills that pass committee review are debated on the House floor. 4. Voting: A majority vote is required for a bill to pass. 5. Concurrence: Passed bills are sent to the Maryland Senate for concurrence. 6. Governor's Approval: Bills approved by both houses are sent to the Governor of Maryland for signature.

Elections

Delegates are elected every four years during the general election. The next election is scheduled for November 5, 2024. The election process is based on a first-past-the-post system, where the candidates with the most votes in each district are elected.

Current Composition

As of the latest election, the House of Delegates is composed of members from the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The Democratic Party currently holds a majority.

Also see

• Maryland Senate
• Maryland General Assembly
• Governor of Maryland
• Maryland State House