Maryland House of Delegates

The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the legislature of the U.S. 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.

Maryland House of Delegates
Maryland General Assembly
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
New session started
January 11, 2023
Leadership
Adrienne Jones (D)
since April 7, 2019
Speaker pro tempore
Sheree Sample-Hughes (D)
since September 9, 2019
Majority Leader
David Moon (D)
since May 17, 2023
Minority Leader
Jason Buckel (R)
since April 13, 2021
Structure
Seats141
Political groups
Majority
  •   Democratic (102)

Minority

Length of term
4 years
AuthorityArticle III, Section 2, Maryland Constitution
Salary$50,330/year[1]
Elections
First past the post in single member districts;
Plurality-at-large voting for multi-members districts.
Last election
November 8, 2022
Next election
November 3, 2026
RedistrictingLegislative Control
Meeting place
House of Delegates Chamber
Maryland State House
Annapolis, Maryland
Website
Maryland House of Delegates

History

17th century

The Maryland House of Delegates originated as the Lower House of the General Assembly of the Province of Maryland in 1650, when it was an English colony, when the Assembly (legislature) became a bicameral body.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2] In a special session on May 1, 2019, Delegate Adrienne Jones became the first woman and the first African American to be elected Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates.[3]

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,[4] notably the first women's legislative caucus founded in the United States.[5] The Asian-American and Pacific Islander caucus,[6] or Legislative Black Caucus are other examples. Delegates may also organize by issue or area of experience, such as the Veterans' Caucus.[7] 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 Western Maryland Delegation.

Composition

Map of Maryland house of delegates electoral districts:
3 sub-districts2 sub-districts1 sub-district
  3 dem.
  2 dem., 1 rep.
  1 dem., 2 rep.
  3 rep.
  2 dem.
  1 dem., 1 rep.
  2 rep.
  1 dem.
  1 rep.
  1 ind.
Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Grn Ind Vacant
2007–2010 Session 104 36 0 1[8] 141 0
2011–2014 Session 98 43 0 0 141 0
2015–2018 Session[9] 91 50 0 0 141 0
October 15, 2018[10] 92 49 0 0 141 0
November 19, 2018[11] 91 49 1 0 141 0
2019–2022 Session 99 42 0 0 141 0
2023–2025 Session 102 39 0 0 141 0
Latest voting share 72.3% 27.7%

Leadership

Current leadership in the Maryland House of Delegates.[12]

PositionNamePartyDistrict
Speaker of the House Adrienne A. JonesDemocratic10
Speaker Pro Tempore Sheree Sample-HughesDemocratic37A
Majority Leader David MoonDemocratic20
Majority Vice Leader Jazz LewisDemocratic24
Minority Leader Jason C. BuckelRepublican1B
Minority Vice Leader Jesse PippyRepublican4

List of current delegates

DistrictDelegatePartySinceResidenceCounties represented
1A Jim Hinebaugh Republican 2023 Oakland Allegany, Garrett
1B Jason C. Buckel Republican 2015 Cumberland Allegany
1C Terry Baker Republican 2023 Hancock Allegany, Washington
2A William J. Wivell Republican 2015 Smithsburg Frederick, Washington
William Valentine Republican 2023 Emmitsburg
2B Brooke Grossman Democratic 2023 Hagerstown Washington
3 Kenneth P. Kerr Democratic 2019 Frederick Frederick
Kris Fair Democratic 2023 Frederick
Karen Simpson Democratic 2023 Frederick
4 Barrie Ciliberti Republican 2015 Frederick Carroll, Frederick
Jesse Pippy Republican 2019 Frederick
April Fleming Miller Republican 2023 Middletown
5 April Rose Republican 2015 Westminster Carroll, Frederick
Chris Tomlinson Republican 2023 Manchester
Christopher Bouchat Republican 2023 Woodbine
6 Robin Grammer Jr. Republican 2015 Baltimore Baltimore County
Robert B. Long Republican 2015 Baltimore
Richard W. Metzgar Republican 2015 Baltimore
7A Kathy Szeliga Republican 2011 Perry Hall Baltimore County
Ryan Nawrocki Republican 2023 Middle River
7B Lauren Arikan Republican 2019 Jarrettsville Harford
8 Harry Bhandari Democratic 2019 Baltimore Baltimore County
Nick Allen Democratic 2023 Baltimore
Carl W. Jackson Democratic 2019 Baltimore
9A Chao Wu Democratic 2023 Clarksville Howard, Montgomery
Natalie Ziegler Democratic 2023 Clarksville
9B Courtney Watson Democratic 2019 Ellicott City Howard
10 Adrienne A. Jones Democratic 1997 Woodstock Baltimore County
N. Scott Phillips Democratic 2023 Randallstown
Jennifer White Democratic 2023 Randallstown
11A Cheryl Pasteur Democratic 2023 Owings Mills Baltimore County
11B Jon S. Cardin Democratic 2019 Baltimore Baltimore County
Dana Stein Democratic 2007 Baltimore
12A Jessica M. Feldmark Democratic 2019 Columbia Howard
Terri L. Hill Democratic 2015 Columbia
12B Gary Simmons Democratic 2023 Glen Burnie Anne Arundel
13 Vanessa Atterbeary Democratic 2015 Fulton Howard
Jennifer R. Terrasa Democratic 2019 Columbia
Pam Guzzone Democratic 2023 Columbia
14 Anne Kaiser Democratic 2003 Silver Spring Montgomery
Pamela E. Queen Democratic 2016 Olney
Bernice Mireku-North Democratic 2023 Silver Spring
15 Linda Foley Democratic 2021 Potomac Montgomery
David Fraser-Hidalgo Democratic 2013 Boyds
Lily Qi Democratic 2019 Gaithersburg
16 Sarah Wolek Democratic 2023 Bethesda Montgomery
Marc Korman Democratic 2015 Bethesda
Sara N. Love Democratic 2019 Bethesda
17 Ryan Spiegel Democratic 2023 Gaithersburg Montgomery
Julie Palakovich Carr Democratic 2019 Rockville
Joe Vogel Democratic 2023 Rockville
18 Emily Shetty Democratic 2019 Kensington Montgomery
Jared Solomon Democratic 2019 Chevy Chase
Aaron Kaufman Democratic 2023 Chevy Chase
19 Charlotte Crutchfield Democratic 2019 Silver Spring Montgomery
Bonnie Cullison Democratic 2011 Silver Spring
Vaughn Stewart Democratic 2019 Rockville
20 Lorig Charkoudian Democratic 2019 Takoma Park Montgomery
David Moon Democratic 2015 Silver Spring
Jheanelle Wilkins Democratic 2017 Silver Spring
21 Benjamin S. Barnes Democratic 2007 College Park Anne Arundel, Prince George's
Mary A. Lehman Democratic 2019 Laurel
Joseline Peña-Melnyk Democratic 2007 College Park
22 Anne Healey Democratic 1991 Hyattsville Prince George's
Ashanti Martinez Democratic 2023 New Carrollton
Nicole A. Williams Democratic 2019 Greenbelt
23 Adrian Boafo Democratic 2023 Bowie Prince George's
Marvin E. Holmes Jr. Democratic 2003 Upper Marlboro
Kym Taylor Democratic 2023 Bowie
24 Tiffany T. Alston Democratic 2023 Greenbelt Prince George's
Andrea Harrison Democratic 2019 Greenbelt
Jazz Lewis Democratic 2017 Glenarden
25 Nick Charles Democratic 2019 Forestville Prince George's
Karen Toles Democratic 2022 Suitland
Kent Roberson Democratic 2023 Clinton
26 Veronica L. Turner Democratic 2019 Temple Hills Prince George's
Kris Valderrama Democratic 2007 Fort Washington
Jamila Woods Democratic 2023 Clinton
27A Kevin Harris Democratic 2023 Brandywine Charles, Prince George's
27B Jeffrie Long Jr. Democratic 2023 Cheltenham Calvert, Prince George's
27C Mark N. Fisher Republican 2011 Prince Frederick Calvert
28 Debra M. Davis Democratic 2019 Indian Head Charles
Edith J. Patterson Democratic 2015 Pomfret
C. T. Wilson Democratic 2011 White Plains
29A Matthew Morgan Republican 2015 Mechanicsville St. Mary's
29B Brian M. Crosby Democratic 2019 Great Mills St. Mary's
29C Todd Morgan Republican 2023 St. Mary's City Calvert, St. Mary's
30A Shaneka Henson Democratic 2019 Annapolis Anne Arundel
Dana Jones Democratic 2020 Annapolis
30B Seth A. Howard Republican 2015 West River Anne Arundel
31 Brian Chisholm Republican 2019 Severna Park Anne Arundel
Nic Kipke Republican 2007 Pasadena
Rachel Muñoz Republican 2021 Severna Park
32 J. Sandy Bartlett Democratic 2019 Laurel Anne Arundel
Mark S. Chang Democratic 2015 Glen Burnie
Mike Rogers Democratic 2019 Laurel
33A Andrew Pruski Democratic 2023 Gambrills Anne Arundel
33B Stuart Schmidt Jr. Republican 2023 Crofton Anne Arundel
33C Heather Bagnall Democratic 2019 Arnold Anne Arundel
34A Steven C. Johnson Democratic 2019 Aberdeen Harford
Andre Johnson Jr. Democratic 2023 Edgewood
34B Susan K. McComas Republican 2003 Bel Air Harford
35A Mike Griffith Republican 2020 Bel Air Cecil, Harford
Teresa E. Reilly Republican 2015 Whiteford
35B Kevin Hornberger Republican 2015 North East Cecil
36 Steven J. Arentz Republican 2013 Queenstown Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's
Jefferson L. Ghrist Republican 2015 Ridgely
Jay Jacobs Republican 2011 Rock Hall
37A Sheree Sample-Hughes Democratic 2015 Salisbury Dorchester, Wicomico
37B Christopher T. Adams Republican 2015 Hebron Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, Wicomico
Tom Hutchinson Republican 2023 Woolford
38A Charles J. Otto Republican 2011 Princess Anne Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester
38B Carl Anderton Jr. Republican 2015 Delmar Wicomico
38C Wayne A. Hartman Republican 2019 Ocean City Wicomico, Worcester
39 Gabriel Acevero Democratic 2019 Montgomery Village Montgomery
Lesley Lopez Democratic 2019 Germantown
W. Gregory Wims Democratic 2023 Boyds
40 Marlon Amprey Democratic 2021 Baltimore Baltimore City
Frank M. Conaway Jr. Democratic 2007 Baltimore
Melissa Wells Democratic 2019 Baltimore
41 Dalya Attar Democratic 2019 Baltimore Baltimore City
Malcolm Ruff Democratic 2023 Baltimore
Samuel I. Rosenberg Democratic 1983 Baltimore
42A Nino Mangione Republican 2019 Lutherville-Timonium Baltimore County
42B Michele Guyton Democratic 2019 Phoenix Baltimore County
42C Joshua Stonko Republican 2023 Manchester Carroll
43A Regina T. Boyce Democratic 2019 Baltimore Baltimore City
Elizabeth Embry Democratic 2023 Baltimore
43B Cathi Forbes Democratic 2019 Towson Baltimore County
44A Eric Ebersole Democratic 2015 Baltimore Baltimore County
44B Sheila Ruth Democratic 2020 Catonsville Baltimore County
Aletheia McCaskill Democratic 2023 Baltimore
45 Stephanie M. Smith Democratic 2019 Baltimore Baltimore City
Jackie Addison Democratic 2023 Baltimore
Caylin Young Democratic 2023 Baltimore
46 Luke Clippinger Democratic 2011 Baltimore Baltimore City
Robbyn Lewis Democratic 2017 Baltimore
Mark Edelson Democratic 2023 Baltimore
47A Diana M. Fennell Democratic 2015 Brentwood Prince George's
Julian Ivey Democratic 2019 Cheverly
47B Deni Taveras Democratic 2023 Hyattsville Prince George's

Committees

CommitteeChairpersonsSubcommittees
Appropriations Maggie McIntosh (DBaltimore), Chair

Mark S. Chang (DGlen Burnie), Vice Chair

  • Capital Budget Subcommittee
  • Education & Economic Development Subcommittee
  • Health & Social Services Subcommittee
  • Public Safety & Administration Subcommittee
  • Transportation & the Environment Subcommittee
  • Oversight Committee on Pensions
  • Oversight Committee on Personnel
Economic Matters C. T. Wilson (DWhite Plains), Chair

Brian M. Crosby (DGreat Mills), Vice Chair

  • Alcoholic Beverages Subcommittee
  • Banking, Consumer Protection & Commercial Law Subcommittee
  • Business Regulation Subcommittee
  • Property & Casualty Insurance Subcommittee
  • Public Utilities Subcommittee
  • Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee
  • Workers' Compensation Subcommittee
Environment & Transportation Kumar P. Barve (DRockville), Chair

Dana Stein (DPikesville), Vice Chair

  • Environment Subcommittee
  • Housing & Real Property Subcommittee
  • Land Use & Ethics Subcommittee
  • Local Government & Bi-County Agencies Subcommittee
  • Motor Vehicle & Transportation Subcommittee
  • Natural Resources, Agriculture & Open Space Subcommittee
Health & Government Operations Joseline Peña-Melnyk (DCollege Park), Chair

Ariana Kelly (DBethesda), Vice Chair

  • Government Operations & Health Facilities Subcommittee
  • Health Occupations & Long-Term Care Subcommittee
  • Insurance & Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee
  • Public Health & Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee
Judiciary Luke Clippinger (DBaltimore), Chair

David Moon (DSilver Spring), Vice Chair

  • Civil Law & Procedure Subcommittee
  • Criminal Law & Procedure Subcommittee
  • Family Law Subcommittee
  • Juvenile Law Subcommittee
  • Law Enforcement Officers Public Information Work Group
  • Public Safety Subcommittee
Rules & Executive Nominations Anne Healey (DHyattsville), Chair

Marvin E. Holmes Jr. (DUpper Marlboro), Vice Chair

Ways & Means Vanessa Atterbeary (DFulton), Chair

Alonzo T. Washington (DGreenbelt), Vice Chair

  • Early Childhood Subcommittee
  • Education Subcommittee
  • Election Law Subcommittee
  • Local Revenues Subcommittee
  • Racing & Gaming Subcommittee
  • Revenues Subcommittee

See also

References

  1. "Report of the General Assembly Compensation Commission" (PDF). Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  2. Maryland State Archives (June 17, 2004). "Maryland House of Delegates – ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS". Retrieved June 12, 2007.
  3. "Baltimore County Del. Adrienne Jones elected speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates". The Baltimore Sun. May 1, 2019.
  4. "Maryland General Assembly Caucuses - Women Legislators of Maryland". msa.maryland.gov.
  5. Maryland State archives, accessed June 30, 2017
  6. "Maryland General Assembly Caucuses - Maryland Legislative Asian-American & Pacific-Islander Caucus". msa.maryland.gov.
  7. "Maryland General Assembly Caucuses - Maryland Veterans Caucus". msa.maryland.gov.
  8. For organizational purposes, the Independent caucused with the Republicans.
  9. The Baltimore Sun (November 5, 2014). "Republicans ride GOP wave to gain General Assembly seats". Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  10. "Anne Arundel delegate who came out as bisexual during conversion therapy debate changes parties". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  11. "OUTGOING DELEGATE SWITCHES TO GREEN PARTY". The Montgomery County Sentinel. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  12. Maryland Manual On-Line (March 3, 2017). "Maryland House of Delegates – Organizational Structure". Retrieved April 19, 2017.

Further reading

Legislative District Maps, which are updated every ten years

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