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Stop MPRP, Inc.

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Maryland General Assembly Committees and Subcommittees

Introduction

The Maryland General Assembly is the state's legislative body, responsible for crafting, debating, and enacting laws that shape the lives of Marylanders. Comprised of two chambers—the Senate and the House of Delegates—the General Assembly works to address a wide range of issues, from education and healthcare to transportation, energy, and public safety.


Legislators from both chambers serve on committees that focus on specific subject areas, such as the budget, environment, transportation, or public health. These committees play a pivotal role in shaping legislation, holding hearings, and providing recommendations before bills are brought to the full chamber for debate and voting.


Through its commitment to open dialogue, public participation, and thorough review, the Maryland General Assembly strives to uphold the values and priorities of Maryland's residents while addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the state. Explore the pages ahead to learn more about the Senate, House of Delegates, committees, and the legislative process that drives Maryland's democracy.

Senate

Senate

Senate

The Senate consists of 47 senators, each representing a unique legislative district, and is known for its deliberative approach to policymaking. 

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House

Senate

Senate

 The House of Delegates, with 141 members representing the same districts in larger groups, is the larger and more dynamic chamber, where legislation often begins its journey.

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Role of Committees vs. Subcommittees in the Legislative Process

Committees are the primary organizational structures in the legislative process, tasked with reviewing, debating, and shaping proposed legislation. Each committee has a broad focus, such as budget matters, education, energy, or transportation. They are responsible for considering bills relevant to their subject areas, conducting hearings, and recommending actions to the full chamber (Senate or House).


Subcommittees are smaller, specialized groups within committees that focus on specific aspects of the committee's broader jurisdiction. For instance, within a committee addressing environmental issues, a subcommittee might focus solely on energy policy or land use. Subcommittees provide a more detailed and focused review of legislation, allowing for in-depth analysis, expert testimony, and preliminary decision-making.


How Committees and Subcommittees Work Together:

  1. Bill Assignment: When a bill is introduced, it is referred to the appropriate committee based on its subject matter.
  2. Subcommittee Review: The committee chair assigns the bill to a relevant      subcommittee for specialized review. The subcommittee conducts hearings, evaluates the bill's merits, and may propose amendments.
  3. Subcommittee Recommendations: After thorough evaluation, the subcommittee votes on      the bill and forwards its recommendation—such as favorable, unfavorable, or with amendments—to the full committee.
  4. Committee Action: The full committee considers the subcommittee's      recommendations, conducts further debate if necessary, and votes on whether to advance the bill to the full chamber for consideration.


This structure ensures a thorough, layered review of legislation, allowing for detailed scrutiny in subcommittees while maintaining broad oversight and decision-making authority at the committee level. It enhances legislative efficiency and ensures subject matter expertise is applied to proposed laws.

Key Committees

Committees and Subcommittees Important to the MPRP

The Maryland General Assembly’s committees and subcommittees are at the heart of the legislative process, playing a vital role in shaping policies that impact significant projects like the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP). These groups are tasked with reviewing legislation, holding hearings, and providing recommendations on critical issues such as energy regulation, environmental conservation, land use, and public safety—issues that are central to the MPRP.


In the Senate, the Budget and Taxation Committee and the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, along with their specialized subcommittees, evaluate funding priorities, energy policies, and environmental safeguards. In the House of Delegates, the Appropriations Committee, Environment and Transportation Committee, and their subcommittees oversee parallel areas of concern.


These committees and subcommittees offer a platform for stakeholders, including residents, advocacy groups, and industry representatives, to voice their perspectives on proposed legislation. Their work ensures that decisions are made with thorough consideration of Maryland’s energy needs, environmental preservation, and community impacts.


Explore the section below to learn more about the committees and subcommittees shaping the future of the MPRP, their members, and how they influence this pivotal project.

Senate Committees and Subcommittees to Watch

Budget and Taxation Committee

Focus Areas: Reviews legislation related to state and local budgets, revenues, and expenditures, including oversight of public debt and taxation.


Committee Members

Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee

Focus Areas: Handles legislation concerning education policy, energy resources, environmental conservation, and related public health matters.


Committee Members

Budget and Taxation Committee: Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee

Focus Areas: Funding for public safety initiatives, transportation infrastructure, and environmental programs.


Committee Members

Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee: Energy Subcommittee

Focus Areas: Funding for public safety initiatives, transportation infrastructure, and environmental programs.


Committee Members

Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee: Environment Subcommittee

Focus Areas:  Conservation policies, pollution control, and climate change. 


Committee Members

House Committees and Subcommittees to Watch

Appropriations Committee

Focus Areas: Reviews the state operating and capital budgets, as well as other fiscal matters impacting state agencies and programs. 


Committee Members

Economic Matters Committee

Focus Areas: Handles legislation concerning utility regulation and insurance regulations as well as other matters.


Committee Members

Environment and Transportation Committee

Focus Areas: Agriculture, natural resources, and environmental issues, including agricultural land preservation, program open space, and vehicle emissions


Committee Members

Appropriations Committee: Transportation And The Environment

Focus Areas: Agriculture, natural resources, and environmental issues, including agricultural land preservation, program open space, and vehicle emissions


Committee Members

Economic Matters: Public Utilities

Focus Areas: Public utilities.


Committee Members

Environment and Transportation Committee: Environment

Focus Areas: Environmental issues


Committee Members

Environment and Transportation Committee: Land Use and Ethics

Focus Areas: Ensures that land development and zoning decisions are ethical, transparent, and aligned with environmental conservation and community development goals.


Committee Members

Environment and Transportation Committee: Natural Resources, Agriculture & Open Space

Focus Areas: Preserving Maryland’s natural resources, supporting sustainable agricultural practices, and protecting open spaces critical to environmental health and community well-being.


Committee Members

What You Can Do Now

Your Efforts Matter!

Your voice matters in shaping the future of Maryland’s energy, environment, and infrastructure. The legislators serving on key committees and subcommittees play a pivotal role in decisions impacting projects like the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP).


Here's how you can get invovled:


  1. Find Your Legislators: Use the Maryland General Assembly website to look up your district and locate your Senators and Delegates.
  2. Contact Committee Members: Check if your legislators serve on any of the relevant committees or subcommittees and reach out to share your thoughts.
  3. Make Your Voice Heard: Email, call, or schedule a meeting with your representatives to discuss your concerns or support for legislation related to the MPRP or other key issues.


Legislators are there to represent you, and hearing directly from their constituents helps ensure that your priorities are considered in the legislative process. Start today by connecting with your representatives and becoming an active part of saving Maryland for farms and families.

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