Maryland House of Delegates

Maryland House of Delegates
Maryland General Assembly
Type
Type
Term limits
 None
History
New session started
 January 14, 2015
Leadership
Michael E. Busch (D)
Since January 8, 2003
Speaker pro Tempore
Adrienne A. Jones (D)
Since January 8, 2003
Majority Leader
Anne R. Kaiser (D)
Since January 14, 2015
Minority Leader
Nicholaus R. Kipke (R)
Since May 1, 2013
Structure
Seats 141
Political groups

Governing party

Opposition party

Length of term
 4 years
Authority Article III, Section 2, Maryland Constitution
Salary $43,500/year + per diem
Elections
Last election
 November 4, 2014
(141 seats)
Next election
 November 6, 2018
(141 seats)
Redistricting Legislative Control
Meeting place
House of Delegates Chamber
Maryland State House
Annapolis, Maryland
Website
Maryland House of Delegates

The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the legislature of the State of Maryland. It consists of 141 delegates elected from 47 districts. The House of Delegates Chamber is in the Maryland State House on State Circle in Annapolis, the state capital. The State House also houses the Maryland State Senate Chamber and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the State of Maryland. Each delegate has offices in Annapolis, in the nearby Casper R. Taylor, Jr. House Office Building.

History

17th century origins

The Maryland House of Delegates originated as the Lower House of the General Assembly of the Province of Maryland in 1650, during the time when it was an English colony, when the Assembly (legislature) became a bicameral body.[1] The Lower House often fought with the Upper House for political influence in the colony. The Upper House consisted of the Governor and his Council, all personally appointed by Lord Baltimore and Proprietor of the Province, and thus tended to protect his interests in Maryland. Conversely, the Lower House tended to push for political change in the colony, claiming to be the true elected representatives of the people.

In this context, the Lower House continually fought for more power by asserting exclusive rights in certain legislative areas, such as levying taxes and originating money bills. This reflected similar attitudes in the other colonies on the East Coast of North America with the beginnings and growth of representative government during the 17th century, as each province's representatives constantly agitated for more rights, powers, and respect from the Proprietors, Governors, and even the King and Parliament in London.

The Governor also had some measure of control over the Lower House in the late seventeenth century. Despite the fact that each county was entitled to elect four delegates, the governor selected only two of these to sit in the Lower House. This enabled the Governor to control the Lower House's membership.

In 1689, the transfer of Maryland from a proprietary colony to a royal colony temporarily quieted the disputes between the Lower House and the Governor and Council. Appointed by the crown, the royal governors allowed the Lower House substantial latitude with its legislative agenda. The first General Assembly under Royal Authority, in 1692, passed 85 acts in a single session. The Lower House immediately acted to remove the Governor's influence over the election of delegates. Now, elected delegates could attend the session without the need for a special writ from the Governor. At the same time, standing or continuing committees were established. These eliminated the Lower House's reliance on ad hoc committees and created the first modern legislature in Maryland. During this period, the Lower House became known as the "House of Delegates".

18th century

The Maryland Constitution of 1776 formally established the modern House of Delegates. Initially, representation was based on geography as the voters of each county elected four delegates, and two each were elected from the towns of Annapolis and Baltimore.[1] These delegates served one-year terms (increased to two years in 1845, and four years in 1922, as it is today).

19th century

Beginning with the 1838 elections, each county elected at least three and up to six delegates depending on its population. Baltimore City elected the same number of delegates as did the most populous county, but after 1840, the Town of Annapolis was then considered part of Anne Arundel County. Reapportionment was required after every federal census in an attempt to achieve equal representation.

Modern era

The current pattern for distribution of seats in the House of Delegates began with the legislative apportionment plan of 1972 and has been revised every ten years thereafter. The plan created 47 legislative districts, many of which cross county boundaries to delineate districts relatively equal in population. Each legislative district sends three delegates for a total of 141 members of the House. Some of the larger districts are divided into delegate sub-districts to provide local representation to areas not large enough to constitute an entire legislative district.[1]

Powers and functions

The powers and functions of the Maryland House of Delegates are outlined in the Maryland Constitution. Along with the State Senate, the House has the power to approve laws, establish executive departments, levy taxes, and propose state constitutional amendments. Both houses also have the power to elect the state treasurer and to appoint a new Governor if the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are simultaneously vacant. In addition, the House of Delegates has the sole power to impeach members of the executive branch, including the Governor. Once the House of Delegates has passed articles of impeachment, the person impeached stands trial before the State Senate.

Organization

The House of Delegates utilizes a number of different organizational structures. Much of the work of drafting and reviewing bills is done by six standing committees: Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Health and Government Operations, Judiciary, and Ways and Means. Each of these committees is then divided further into sub-committees by issue area. An additional continuing committee, Executive Nominations, has the responsibility for confirming appointments of the Governor. Delegates also divide themselves into a variety of legally recognized work groups, Joint and Special Committees, caucuses, and geographic delegations. The two largest caucuses are those of the Democratic and Republican Parties. Smaller caucuses might group Delegates by identity, such as the "Women's Caucus" or "Legislative Black Caucus", or by issue or area of experience, such as the "Veterans' Caucus" or the "Green Caucus". In addition, delegates from a certain County, smaller towns, or Baltimore City might organize its delegate delegation into a caucus-style group; such as the "Baltimore City Delegation" or the "Garrett County Delegation".

Composition

Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Democratic Republican Ind Vacant
2007–2010 Session 104 36 1[2] 141 0
2011–2014 Session 98 43 0 141 0
Begin (2015–2018)[3] 91 50 0 141 0
September 10, 2015 (2015–2018)[4] 89 140 1
Latest voting share 64% 36%

Leadership

Current leadership in the Maryland House of Delegates.[5]

Position Name Party District
Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch Democratic 30
Speaker Pro Tempore Adrienne A. Jones Democratic 10
Majority Leader Anne Kaiser Democratic 14
Majority Whip Talmadge Branch Democratic 45
Minority Leader Nicholaus R. Kipke Republican 31
Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga Republican 7

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Maryland State Archives (June 17, 2004). "Maryland House of Delegates – ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS". Retrieved June 12, 2007.
  2. ↑ For organizational purposes, the Independent caucused with the Republicans.
  3. ↑ The Baltimore Sun (November 5, 2014). "Republicans ride GOP wave to gain General Assembly seats". Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  4. ↑ Delegate James E. Proctor, Jr. (District 27A) died and Delegate Will Campos resigned.
  5. ↑ Maryland State Archives (May 22, 2013). "Maryland House of Delegates – Organizational Structure". Retrieved May 22, 2013.
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