1. Maryland’s Legislative Branch How State and Local Legislatures Work

2. TYPICAL STATE GOVERNMENT VOTERS ELECT SUPREME COURT Each state has its own constitution LEGISLATURE TWO HOUSES “bicameral” (Only Nebraska has one House “unicameral” legislature UPPER HOUSE Presided over by President (elected or Lt. Gov.) LOWER HOUSE presided over by SPEAKER - Chosen by majority party GOVERNOR appoints MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONS HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS such as HIGHWAYS HEALTH BANKING WELFARE TAXATION FINANCE EDUCATION PURCHASING RECREATION INDUSTRY ETC…… OTHER OFFICERS such as LT. GOVERNOR SECRETARY OF STATE TREASURER ATTORNEY GENERAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE SUPT. OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

3. The General Assembly Senate Senate 41 members 41 members Must be 25 Must be 25 Must be registered to vote in district to be represented Must be registered to vote in district to be represented 4 year term 4 year term House of Delegates House of Delegates 147 members 147 members Must be 21 Must be 21 Must be registered to vote in district to be represented Must be registered to vote in district to be represented 4 year term 4 year term

4. General Assembly of Maryland Voters of Maryland Senate House of Delegates 47 Members 141 Members President of the SenateSpeaker of the House Secretary of the Senate Chief Clerk

5. Maryland General Assembly Exclusive Powers: Issue licenses Issue licenses Regulate intrastate commerce (within State) Regulate intrastate commerce (within State) Conduct elections Conduct elections Protect public health and safety Protect public health and safety Establish local governments Establish local governments Ratify Constitutional amendments Ratify Constitutional amendments

6. Concurrent (Shared) Powers Transportation Transportation Protect environment Protect environment General welfare General welfare Courts Courts Taxes Taxes

7. State Senate Standing Committees –Budget & Taxation Committee –Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee –Executive Nominations Committee –Finance Committee –Judicial Proceedings Committee –Rules Committee

8. House of Delegates Standing Committees Appropriations Committee Appropriations Committee Economic Matters Committee Economic Matters Committee Environmental Matters Committee Environmental Matters Committee Health & Government Operations Committee Health & Government Operations Committee Judiciary Committee Judiciary Committee Rules & Executive Nominations Committee Rules & Executive Nominations Committee Ways & Means Committee Ways & Means Committee

9. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Powers are granted by the STATE GOVERNMENT (UNITARY) and are legally responsible (must listen) to the state, depending on constitution and state legislature for their powers. Local government are close to the individual citizen/voter! WHAT THEY DO : 1. PUBLIC SAFETY Police, Courts, Fire, Correctional 2. PUBLIC HEALTH Sewage, care of Sick, Garbage, Trash 3.PUBLIC UTILITIES Water, Gas, Electricity, Telephone 4. PUBLIC EDUCATION Schools, Adult Education. Libraries 5. PUBLIC WELFARE Care of destitute, Playgrounds, Parks 6.PUBLIC SERVICE Highways, airports, bridges 7. PLANNING & ZONNING 8. FINANCING Taxes

10. Howard County Council 5 member council 5 member council 4 year terms 4 year terms Liquor laws Liquor laws Zoning laws Zoning laws Smoking policies Smoking policies Education policies Education policies

11. Redistricting Map