reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 1 - Definitions; General Provisions › Section 2-106 - "Force" Defined; Established; Composition; Responsibilities

(a)    In this section, “Force” means the Legislative Security Force.
(b)    There is a Legislative Security Force.
(c)    The Force consists of the members of the Department of State Police who are assigned for duty with the General Assembly.
(d)    Under the guidance of the presiding officers of the General Assembly, the Force shall maintain order during the conduct of the legislative process.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 1 - Definitions; General Provisions › Section 2-107 - Restrictions on Relative Employment

(a)    In this section, “relative” means:
(1)    a spouse;
(2)    a parent or stepparent;
(3)    a sibling or step sibling;
(4)    a child, stepchild, foster child, or ward;
(5)    a mother–in–law or father–in–law;
(6)    a son–in–law or daughter–in–law;
(7)    a grandparent; or
(8)    a grandchild.
(b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a member of the General Assembly may not employ for legislative business the member’s own relative, or the relative of another member from the same legislative district, using public funds over which the member has direct control.
(2)    Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to a member of the General Assembly who:
(i)    has a physical impairment that necessitates the employment of a particular relative; and
(ii)    discloses the employment to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 2 - Legislative Districting Plan of 2022 › Section 2-201 - General Provisions

(a)    The State of Maryland is divided into 47 districts for the election of members of the General Assembly of Maryland.
(b)    Each legislative district shall elect 1 Senator and 3 Delegates.
(c)    Each legislative district may be subdivided into 3 single member delegate districts or into 1 single member delegate district and 1 multimember delegate district.
(d)    In any legislative district which contains more than 2 counties:
(1)    where Delegates are to be elected at large by the voters of the entire district, a county, or part of a county, may not have more than 1 Delegate residing in that district; and
(2)    where Delegates are to be elected by the voters of a multimember subdistrict which contains more than 2 counties or parts of more than 2 counties, a county or a part of a county may not have more than 1 Delegate residing in that subdistrict.
(e)    (1)    The descriptions of legislative districts in this subtitle, including all references to:
(i)    election districts and wards are to the geographical boundaries of the election districts and wards as they existed as of April 1, 2020; and
(ii)    precincts are to the geographical boundaries of the precincts as reviewed and certified by the local board of supervisors of elections or their designees, before they were reported to the U.S. Bureau of the Census as part of the 2020 Census Redistricting Data Program and as those precinct lines are specifically indicated in the P.L. 94–171 data or shown on the P.L. 94–171 census block maps provided by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and as reviewed and corrected by the Maryland Department of Planning.
(2)    Where precincts are split between legislative districts, census tract and block numbers, as indicated in the P.L. 94–171 data or shown on the P.L. 94–171 census block maps provided by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and referred to in § 2–202 of this subtitle, are used to define the boundaries of legislative districts.
(f)    For purposes of elections, the provisions of this subtitle shall be applicable to elections for members of the General Assembly beginning with the primary and general elections of 2022 and, for purposes of representation, shall be applicable beginning with the second Wednesday of January 2023.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 2 - Legislative Districting Plan of 2022 › Section 2-205 - Severability

If any part of this subtitle, including any section or subsection or portion of it, shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the unconstitutionality or invalidity may not affect the remaining parts of this subtitle. It is the intention that the remaining parts of this subtitle would have been enacted into law if that unconstitutionality or invalidity had been known. To this end, all parts of this subtitle are declared to be severable.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 2A - Creation of the Legislative Districting Plan › Section 2-2A-01 - Use of Population Count

(a)    The population count used after each decennial census for the purpose of creating the legislative districting plan for the General Assembly:
(1)    may not include individuals who:
(i)    were incarcerated in State or federal correctional facilities, as determined by the decennial census; and
(ii)    were not residents of the State before their incarceration; and
(2)    shall count individuals incarcerated in the State or federal correctional facilities, as determined by the decennial census, at their last known residence before incarceration if the individuals were residents of the State.
(b)    Beginning with the 2020 decennial census:
(1)    on or before October 31 in the year of each decennial census, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services shall submit to the Maryland Department of Planning and the Department of Legislative Services the following identifiable information, in electronic form, for each individual incarcerated in a State correctional facility on April 1 in the year of the decennial census:
(i)    the name of the individual;
(ii)    the address of the individual’s last known residence;
(iii)    the individual’s race or ethnicity; and
(iv)    any other information necessary to fulfill the purposes of this section; and
(2)    on or before August 1 in the year of each decennial census, the Maryland Department of Planning and the Department of Legislative Services shall enter into a memorandum of understanding, the terms of which shall require the Maryland Department of Planning and the Department of Legislative Services to work collaboratively to:
(i)    summarize the results of the geocoded data created by the Maryland Department of Planning as required under COMAR 35.05.01;
(ii)    using the geocoded data, identify the individuals incarcerated in a State correctional facility or federal correctional facility in the State that will be included in the adjusted census data under this section;
(iii)    make any necessary changes to the Maryland Department of Planning’s geocoded database;
(iv)    jointly review for accuracy any changes to the census data by any software vendor or other entity; and
(v)    jointly certify, on or before March 15 in the year following each decennial census, the adjusted census data to be used for redistricting under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 4 - Legislative Policy Committee › Section 2-403 - Membership

(a)    The Legislative Policy Committee consists of the following 28 members:
(1)    from the Senate:
(i)    the President;
(ii)    the President Pro Tem;
(iii)    the Majority Leader;
(iv)    the Chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee;
(v)    the Chairman of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee;
(vi)    the Chairman of the Finance Committee;
(vii)    the Chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee;
(viii)    the Minority Leader; and
(ix)    1.    6 other Senators, appointed by the President and approved by majority vote of the Senate; or
2.    if a Senator simultaneously serves in 2 of the positions set forth in items (ii) through (vii), inclusive, of this paragraph, 7 other Senators, appointed by the President and approved by majority vote of the Senate; and
(2)    from the House:
(i)    the Speaker;
(ii)    the Speaker Pro Tem;
(iii)    the Majority Leader;
(iv)    the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee;
(v)    the Chairman of the Health and Government Operations Committee;
(vi)    the Chairman of the Economic Matters Committee;
(vii)    the Chairman of the Environment and Transportation Committee;
(viii)    the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee;
(ix)    the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee;
(x)    the Minority Leader; and
(xi)    1.    4 other Delegates, appointed by the Speaker and approved by majority vote of the House; or
2.    if a Delegate simultaneously serves in 2 of the positions set forth in items (ii) through (ix), inclusive, of this paragraph, 5 other Delegates, appointed by the Speaker and approved by majority vote of the House.
(b)    (1)    As far as possible, the Senators appointed by the President, under subsection (a)(1)(ix) of this section, shall be representative of the various sections and interests of the State.
(2)    As far as possible, the Delegates appointed by the Speaker, under subsection (a)(2)(xi) of this section, shall be representative of the various sections and interests of the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 4 - Legislative Policy Committee › Section 2-405 - Vacancies During Interim

(a)    This section applies only to a vacancy on the Committee that occurs while the General Assembly is not in session.
(b)    (1)    If a vacancy occurs in one of the offices of cochairmen of the Committee, a successor shall be elected:
(i)    for the Senate cochairman, by the Senators on the Committee; and
(ii)    for the House cochairman, by the Delegates on the Committee.
(2)    If vacancies occur in both offices of the cochairmen of the Committee, the successors shall be elected from among the remaining members of the Committee by those members. One of the cochairmen shall be a Senator, and one shall be a Delegate.
(c)    (1)    If a vacancy occurs among the Senators on the Committee, a successor shall be appointed by the President.
(2)    If a vacancy occurs among the Delegates on the Committee, a successor shall be appointed by the Speaker.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 4 - Legislative Policy Committee › Section 2-406 - Quorum; Meetings; Staff Services

(a)    (1)    A majority of the full authorized membership of the Committee is a quorum.
(2)    The Committee may not act unless at least 8 members concur.
(b)    (1)    The Committee shall meet as often as necessary, at the times and places that its cochairmen determine.
(2)    Any member of the General Assembly may attend a meeting of the Committee and present views on any matter that the Committee is considering. However, only a member of the Committee may vote in any decision of the Committee.
(3)    The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings.
(c)    The Department of Legislative Services shall provide staff assistance to the Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 4 - Legislative Policy Committee › Section 2-407 - Functions

(a)    The Committee has the following functions:
(1)    to review the work of the standing committees;
(2)    to collect information about the government and general welfare of the State;
(3)    to study the operation of and recommend changes in the Constitution, statutes, and common law of the State;
(4)    to study the rules and procedures of the Senate and the House and recommend changes that would improve and expedite the consideration of legislation by the General Assembly;
(5)    to coordinate and supervise generally the work of the General Assembly when it is not in session;
(6)    to prepare or endorse a legislative program that includes the bills, resolutions, or other recommendations of the Committee that are to be presented to the General Assembly at its next session;
(7)    to carry out its powers and duties under the Maryland Program Evaluation Act; and
(8)    at least every 2 years, to review and update as necessary the antiharassment policy and procedures of the General Assembly to create and maintain an environment in which all members and employees are treated with respect and are free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.
(b)    To carry out its functions, the Committee:
(1)    shall receive, from any source, suggestions for legislation or investigation;
(2)    may hold a hearing on any matter;
(3)    may appoint a special committee and delegate to that committee the authority specified in  §  2–408 of this subtitle;
(4)    may refer a matter for study and report to any of its special committees or any committee of the General Assembly;
(5)    shall consider the reports of standing, statutory, and special committees;
(6)    may have any bill or resolution prepared to carry out its recommendations; and
(7)    when the General Assembly is not in session:
(i)    may accept a gift or grant of money from a person or public agency for any purpose that relates to the activities of the Legislative Policy Committee or of any other standing, statutory, or special committee; and
(ii)    may spend the money for that purpose, in accordance with the State budget.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 4 - Legislative Policy Committee › Section 2-408 - Subpoenas; Oaths; Testimony; Depositions

(a)    In carrying out any of its functions or powers, the Committee may:
(1)    issue subpoenas;
(2)    compel the attendance of witnesses;
(3)    compel the production of any papers, books, accounts, documents, and testimony;
(4)    administer oaths; and
(5)    cause the depositions of witnesses, who reside in or outside of the State, to be taken in the manner provided by law for taking depositions in a civil case.
(b)    (1)    If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section or fails to testify on any matter on which the person lawfully may be interrogated, on petition of a member of the Committee, a circuit court may pass an order directing compliance with the subpoena or compelling testimony and may enforce the order by proceedings for contempt.
(2)    Venue and procedures for a proceeding under paragraph (1) of this subsection to direct compliance with a subpoena or compel testimony are as provided in § 2–1803 of this title.
(c)    False swearing by a witness before the Committee is perjury.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 4 - Legislative Policy Committee › Section 2-409 - Reports

(a)    Subject to § 2–1257 of this title, the Committee shall submit to the General Assembly periodic reports to keep the members of the General Assembly fully informed about matters that come before the Committee.
(b)    (1)    The Committee shall compile the bills, joint resolutions, and other recommendations that are submitted to it by its special committees and by the committees of the General Assembly and are intended for submission to the General Assembly at its next session.
(2)    Before that session of the General Assembly, the Committee shall prepare a report that includes those bills, resolutions, and recommendations and the reports that relate to them.
(3)    The Committee shall:
(i)    subject to § 2–1257 of this title, submit this report to the General Assembly; and
(ii)    send this report to each other elected State officer and to the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 5 - Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review › Section 2-503 - Membership

(a)    (1)    The Committee consists of 20 members.
(2)    Of the 20 Committee members:
(i)    10 shall be Senators, appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate; and
(ii)    10 shall be Delegates, appointed by the Speaker with the approval of the House.
(b)    (1)    The Senators appointed by the President shall be chosen so that each political party is represented in approximately the same proportion as the party is represented in the Senate.
(2)    The Delegates appointed by the Speaker shall be chosen so that each political party is represented in approximately the same proportion as the party is represented in the House.
(c)    Members shall be appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the General Assembly and shall serve until the beginning of the following regular session.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 5 - Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review › Section 2-504 - Officers

The Senate Chairman and the House Chairman of the Committee shall be appointed by the President and the Speaker, respectively, from the membership of the Committee. One shall be a Senator appointed by the President, and the other shall be a Delegate appointed by the Speaker. The presiding chairmanship and cochairmanship shall be alternated annually between the Senate and the House.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 5 - Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review › Section 2-506 - General Functions

(a)    In addition to any powers set forth elsewhere, the Committee may:
(1)    review proposed or adopted regulations of a unit of the Executive Branch of the State government;
(2)    consider requests for emergency adoption of regulations;
(3)    inquire into an alleged failure of an officer or employee of any branch of the State government to comply with the laws of the State; and
(4)    review the operations of any unit of the Executive Branch of the State government.
(b)    (1)    At least once a year, the Committee shall submit a report to the Legislative Policy Committee and, subject to § 2–1257 of this title, to the General Assembly.
(2)    The report shall:
(i)    describe the studies and other work of the Committee; and
(ii)    include any recommendations of the Committee on legislative action that is needed to change or reverse a regulation of a unit of the Executive Branch of the State government.
(c)    The failure of the Committee to comment on or to object to a proposed or adopted regulation is not an indication that:
(1)    the Committee approves the regulation;
(2)    the statute under which the regulation is adopted authorizes the adoption; or
(3)    the regulation conforms to the legislative intent of the statute.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 5 - Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review › Section 2-507 - Subpoenas; Oaths; Testimony; Depositions

(a)    In carrying out any of its functions or powers, the Committee may:
(1)    issue subpoenas;
(2)    compel the attendance of witnesses;
(3)    compel the production of any papers, books, accounts, documents, and testimony;
(4)    administer oaths; and
(5)    cause the depositions of witnesses, who reside in or outside of the State, to be taken in the manner provided by law for taking depositions in a civil case.
(b)    (1)    If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section or fails to testify on any matter on which the person lawfully may be interrogated, on petition of a member of the Committee, a circuit court may pass an  order directing compliance with the subpoena or compelling testimony and may enforce the order by proceedings for contempt.
(2)    Venue and procedures for a proceeding under paragraph (1) of this subsection to direct compliance with a subpoena or compel testimony are as provided in § 2–1803 of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 6 - Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee › Section 2-603 - Membership

(a)    The Committee consists of 10 members of the Senate, appointed by the President, and 10 members of the House, appointed by the Speaker.
(b)    (1)    Members of the Committee shall be appointed on the basis of demonstrated ability and interest in the functions of the Committee.
(2)    In making appointments from time to time, the President and the Speaker shall provide for representation from the major areas of the State.
(c)    (1)    Members shall be appointed after the 2 houses and their committees organize during each regular session of the General Assembly and shall serve until the houses and committees organize during the following regular session.
(2)    (i)    If a vacancy occurs among the Senators on the Committee, a successor promptly shall be appointed by the President.
(ii)    If a vacancy occurs among the Delegates on the Committee, a successor promptly shall be appointed by the Speaker.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 6 - Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee › Section 2-605 - Powers and Duties

In addition to any powers and duties set forth elsewhere, the Committee shall:
(1)    review audit reports issued by the Legislative Auditor and submit findings and recommendations to the General Assembly with respect to issues in audit reports;
(2)    review the audit process and procedures and provide comment and recommendations to the President and the Speaker, the Executive Director of the Department of Legislative Services, and the Legislative Auditor;
(3)    review performance evaluations conducted and reports issued by the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability and submit findings and recommendations to the General Assembly with respect to issues raised in the performance evaluations and reports; and
(4)    review the performance evaluation process and procedures and provide comment and recommendations to the President and the Speaker, the Executive Director of the Department of Legislative Services, and the Director of the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 6 - Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee › Section 2-606 - Baltimore Police Department -- Review Audit Reports and Process and Procedures

// EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 PER CHAPTER 753 OF 2018 //
The Committee shall:
(1)    beginning with the 2018 audit, review the Baltimore Police Department’s audit reports issued by the Baltimore City Comptroller and submit findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this title, with respect to issues in audit reports; and
(2)    review the audit process and procedures and provide comment and recommendations, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this title, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, the Executive Director of the Department of Legislative Services, and the Legislative Auditor.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 7 - Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics › Section 2-703 - Membership

(a)    (1)    The Committee consists of the following 12 regular members:
(i)    six Senators appointed by the President; and
(ii)    six Delegates appointed by the Speaker.
(2)    (i)    The Senators appointed by the President shall be chosen so that each political party is represented in approximately the same proportion as the party is represented in the Senate. Minority party members shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the minority leader of the Senate.
(ii)    The Delegates appointed by the Speaker shall be chosen so that each political party is represented in approximately the same proportion as the party is represented in the House. Minority party members shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the minority leader of the House.
(b)    (1)    A member appointed by the President serves at the pleasure of the President.
(2)    A member appointed by the Speaker serves at the pleasure of the Speaker.
(c)    The President and the Speaker shall be nonvoting ex officio members of the Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 7 - Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics › Section 2-704 - Officers

(a)    The President and the Speaker:
(1)    jointly shall appoint a chairman and a vice chairman of the Committee; or
(2)    each shall appoint a cochairman of the Committee.
(b)    Appointees serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 7 - Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics › Section 2-706 - Duties; Maintenance of Conflict of Interest Filings

(a)    The Committee shall:
(1)    perform all duties assigned to it by law or by legislative rules;
(2)    from time to time, recommend to the presiding officers any changes in or amendments to the rules of legislative ethics;
(3)    on request of a member of the General Assembly, issue an advisory opinion regarding the legislative ethics of an action taken or contemplated to be taken by the member;
(4)    on its own motion, issue advisory opinions as it deems necessary;
(5)    at the request of the President or the Speaker, make recommendations concerning matters referred to the Committee;
(6)    as it deems necessary, issue guidelines and establish procedures for the implementation of the rules of legislative ethics;
(7)    maintain public records as the rules require; and
(8)    review complaints filed under § 5–516 of the General Provisions Article alleging violations of the antiharassment policy and procedures adopted by the Legislative Policy Committee that govern the conduct of members of the General Assembly.
(b)    (1)    The Committee shall maintain the statements filed by members of the General Assembly under Title 5, Subtitle 5 of the General Provisions Article and, during normal office hours, make the statements available to the public for examination and copying.
(2)    The Committee shall maintain a record of:
(i)    the name and home address of each individual who examines or copies a statement filed with the Committee by a member of the General Assembly; and
(ii)    the name of the member whose statement was examined or copied.
(3)    On the request of the member whose statement was examined or copied, the Committee shall forward to the member a copy of the record maintained by the Committee under paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 7 - Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics › Section 2-707 - Rules

(a)    (1)    The Committee may propose the adoption, amendment, or repeal of rules of legislative ethics.
(2)    Changes to the rules shall be presented in the form of a joint resolution and shall become effective after adoption of the joint resolution by a constitutional majority of each house voting separately.
(3)    Before presenting a change to the rules, the Committee shall conduct a public hearing.
(b)    The rules may supplement but may not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Maryland Public Ethics Law that relate to members of the General Assembly.
(c)    The rules are effective whether or not the General Assembly is in session and shall be binding on each member of the General Assembly.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 7 - Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics › Section 2-709 - Counsel to the Ethics Committee

(a)    The Executive Director of the Department of Legislative Services, subject to the approval of the President and Speaker, shall appoint an attorney to serve as Counsel to the Committee.
(b)    The Counsel:
(1)    shall devote full time to the duties of the Committee, but may not participate in any investigatory or prosecutorial function;
(2)    may provide information to any person regarding laws, rules, and other standards of ethical conduct applicable to members of the General Assembly;
(3)    shall carry out any duties prescribed under Title 5, Subtitle 5 of the General Provisions Article;
(4)    shall meet individually with each member of the General Assembly each year to:
(i)    advise the member regarding the requirements of any applicable ethics law, rule, or standard of conduct; and
(ii)    assist the member in preparing statements and reports required to be filed with the Committee under Title 5, Subtitle 5, Part II of the General Provisions Article; and
(5)    shall conduct seminars, workshops, and briefings for the benefit of members of the General Assembly, as directed by the Committee, the President, or the Speaker.
(c)    The assistance of the Counsel to members of the General Assembly:
(1)    is subject to the attorney client privilege, as set forth in § 9–108 of the Courts Article;
(2)    is subject to confidentiality under § 5–517 of the General Provisions Article; and
(3)    is intended as a service to the members and may not be deemed to diminish a member’s personal responsibility for adherence to applicable laws, rules, and standards of ethical conduct.
(d)    The Committee shall have other staff assistance as requested by the Committee and as provided in the budget of the General Assembly.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 7 - Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics › Section 2-710 - Citizens' Advisory Board for Legislative Ethics

(a)    In this section, “Board” means the Citizens’ Advisory Board for Legislative Ethics established under subsection (b) of this section.
(b)    (1)    There is a Citizens’ Advisory Board for Legislative Ethics.
(2)    The Board consists of the following members:
(i)    a member of the public who shall serve as the chair, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House;
(ii)    two members of the public, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(iii)    two members of the public, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(3)    (i)    A member of the Board:
1.    shall be a resident of the State;
2.    may not be a State or local elected official; and
3.    may not be a regulated lobbyist.
(ii)    No more than two members of the Board at any one time may be former members of the General Assembly.
(iii)    The members of the Board shall be chosen so that each political party is represented in approximately the same proportion as the party is represented in the General Assembly.
(iv)    In appointing members of the Board, the presiding officers shall seek individuals with a knowledge of or background in public ethics.
(4)    (i)    The term of a member of the Board is 2 years and begins on January 1 of each even–numbered year.
(ii)    At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(iii)    A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(5)    With the consent of the Legislative Policy Committee, the President and Speaker may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.
(c)    The Board shall regularly offer recommendations to the Committee and the presiding officers regarding changes to the Public Ethics Law, the policies and procedures of the Committee, and public advisory opinions of the Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 8 - Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds › Section 2-803 - Membership

(a)    (1)    The Committee consists of 8 members.
(2)    Of the 8 members:
(i)    4 shall be Senators, appointed by the President; and
(ii)    4 shall be Delegates, appointed by the Speaker.
(b)    (1)    A member appointed by the President serves at the pleasure of the President.
(2)    A member appointed by the Speaker serves at the pleasure of the Speaker.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 8 - Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds › Section 2-805 - Quorum; Meetings

(a)    A majority of the full authorized membership of the Committee is a quorum.
(b)    The Committee shall meet:
(1)    at the times and places that it determines; and
(2)    at the call of its chairman or, if the chairman is absent, at the call of its vice chairman.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 8 - Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds › Section 2-806 - Functions

(a)    The Committee has the function to review the investment and management policies and procedures:
(1)    of the Treasurer with respect to State funds in the State Treasury;
(2)    of any officer or unit with respect to State funds that are not in the State Treasury and are not under the jurisdiction of a retirement system; and
(3)    of local governments with respect to public funds.
(b)    Subject to § 2-1257 of this title, on or before the 1st day of each regular session, the Committee shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly on any recommendations as to the office of Treasurer.
(c)    The function and authority of the Treasurer as a member of the Board of Public Works are not subject to the review of the Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 8 - Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds › Section 2-807 - Subpoenas; Oaths; Testimony; Depositions

(a)    In carrying out any of its functions or powers, the Committee may:
(1)    issue subpoenas;
(2)    compel the attendance of witnesses;
(3)    compel the production of any papers, books, accounts, documents, and testimony;
(4)    administer oaths; and
(5)    cause the depositions of witnesses, who reside in or outside of the State, to be taken in the manner provided by law for taking depositions in a civil case.
(b)    (1)    If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section or fails to testify on any matter on which the person lawfully may be interrogated, on petition of a member of the Committee, a circuit court may pass an order directing compliance with the subpoena or compelling testimony and may enforce the order by proceedings for contempt.
(2)    Venue and procedures for a proceeding under paragraph (1) of this subsection to direct compliance with a subpoena or compel testimony are as provided in § 2–1803 of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 9 - Federal Relations › Section 2-903 - Membership of Committee

(a)    The Committee consists of 16 members.
(b)    Of the 16 Committee members:
(1)    8 shall be Senators, appointed by the President; and
(2)    8 shall be Delegates, appointed by the Speaker.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 9 - Federal Relations › Section 2-904 - Officers of Committee

(a)    The President and the Speaker jointly shall appoint a chairman and a vice chairman of the Committee.
(b)    (1)    The President shall appoint a chairman of the Senate members of the Committee.
(2)    The Speaker shall appoint a chairman of the House members of the Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 9 - Federal Relations › Section 2-906 - Duties of Committee

(a)    The Committee shall:
(1)    as to the relations between the State and the federal government:
(i)    monitor and evaluate the relations;
(ii)    monitor proposals to change the relations;
(iii)    evaluate the impact of the proposals on the State and its citizens and on local governments; and
(iv)    keep officials of the Executive and Legislative branches of the State government and others informed about the relations and the potential impact of proposals to change the relations;
(2)    serve as a forum for consideration of certain State-local issues;
(3)    try to advance the cooperation between the State and other units of government by proposing or facilitating any actions that the Committee considers advisable, including:
(i)    the adoption of compacts;
(ii)    the enactment of uniform statutes;
(iii)    the enactment of reciprocal statutes;
(iv)    the adoption of uniform administrative rules or regulations;
(v)    the adoption of reciprocal administrative rules or regulations;
(vi)    the informal cooperation between government offices;
(vii)    the personal cooperation between officials and employees of governments; and
(viii)    the exchange of information; and
(4)    do any other thing that the Legislative Policy Committee assigns.
(b)    Subject to § 2-1257 of this title, the Committee shall submit to the General Assembly:
(1)    an annual report, within 15 days after the General Assembly convenes for a regular session; and
(2)    any other report that the Committee considers appropriate.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10 - Spending Affordability › Section 2-1002 - Findings and Statement of Purpose

(a)    The General Assembly finds that State expenditures for operating and capital programs must be controlled so that the level of State spending is consistent with the economic growth of the State.
(b)    (1)    The control of spending shall be exercised through the budgetary process as well as through legislative oversight and program review.
(2)    The budget focuses on spending for the next fiscal year and provides careful scrutiny of new programs or expansion of existing programs and services and weighs the incremental cost of the State budget in light of the priority needs of the citizens.
(3)    Legislative oversight seeks to eliminate inefficiencies in governmental activities and to evaluate programs in order to eliminate those no longer required and to avoid overlap and duplication of services and activities.
(c)    (1)    The Legislative Policy Committee shall be responsible for coordinating the spending affordability program of the General Assembly by appointment of a Spending Affordability Committee and by selection of program evaluation projects and direction of oversight activities.
(2)    The goal of the spending affordability program is to limit the rate of growth of State spending to a level that does not exceed the rate of growth of the State’s economy.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10 - Spending Affordability › Section 2-1003 - Spending Affordability Committee; Advisory Committee

(a)    On or before June 1 of each year, the Legislative Policy Committee shall create a Spending Affordability Committee comprised of an equal number of Senators and Delegates. The Committee membership includes:
(1)    the President and the Speaker;
(2)    the chairmen of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee;
(3)    the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the House or their designees; and
(4)    other members of the Senate and the House who may be appointed by the President and the Speaker.
(b)    The chairman of the Committee shall be designated jointly by the President and the Speaker.
(c)    The President and the Speaker may appoint an advisory committee of citizens to assist the Committee in its deliberations.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10 - Spending Affordability › Section 2-1004 - Study of Spending and Economy

(a)    The Committee shall review in detail the status and projections of the revenues and expenditures of the State and the status and projections of the economy of the State.
(b)    In evaluating future State expenditures, the Committee shall consider economic indicators such as personal income, gross State product, or other data.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10 - Spending Affordability › Section 2-1005 - Report; Analysis

(a)    On or before December 20 of each year, the Committee shall submit, subject to § 2–1257 of this title, to the Legislative Policy Committee and the Governor a report with recommendations on fiscal goals for the State budget to be considered at the next regular session of the General Assembly, including:
(1)    a recommended level of State spending;
(2)    a recommended level of new debt authorization;
(3)    a recommended level of State personnel;
(4)    a recommended use of any anticipated surplus;
(5)    a recommended end–of–the–year General Fund balance;
(6)    a recommended end–of–the–year balance in the Revenue Stabilization Account established under § 7–311 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;
(7)    a recommended structural balance goal;
(8)    a recommended fund balance for the Transportation Trust Fund established under § 3–216 of the Transportation Article;
(9)    a recommended minimum expenditure level for system preservation by the Maryland Department of Transportation; and
(10)    other findings or recommendations that the Committee considers appropriate.
(b)    If the report recommends expenditures in excess of the annual increase in personal income, gross State product, or other data that the Committee used to measure the growth of the State’s economy, the Committee shall provide the Senate and the House with an analysis as to the extent the recommendation exceeds those economic indicators.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10 - Spending Affordability › Section 2-1006 - Action by Budget Committees

The Senate and the House budget committees:
(1)    in considering a proposed State budget, shall consider the recommendations of the Spending Affordability Committee; and
(2)    shall:
(i)    report a budget bill that conforms to those recommendations; or
(ii)    if the level of the budget bill in the report is above those recommendations, provide, with the report, an analysis stating the extent to which the budget bill exceeds the recommendations and explaining the budget committee’s rationale for exceeding the recommendations.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10 - Spending Affordability › Section 2-1008 - Duty of Department of Legislative Services

On or before June 1 of each year, the Department of Legislative Services shall report, subject to § 2-1257 of this title, to the Legislative Policy Committee the extent to which the State budget as enacted by the General Assembly conformed to the recommendations of the Spending Affordability Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10 - Spending Affordability › Section 2-1010 - Private Activity Bonds -- Definitions; Reports of State Issuer

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Internal Revenue Code” means Title 26 of the United States Code.
(3)    “Private activity bond” has the meaning stated in § 141 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(4)    “State issuer” means the State of Maryland or any agency of the State of Maryland with authority to issue private activity bonds.
(b)    On or before January 15 of each year, any State issuer of private activity bonds shall report, subject to § 2–1257 of this title, to the Committee:
(1)    the actual level of private activity bonds issued in the prior year; and
(2)    the projected level of private activity bonds to be issued in the current year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10A - Miscellaneous Statutory Committees › Section 2-10A-01 - Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas

(a)    There is a Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area.
(b)    (1)    The Committee consists of 10 members.
(2)    Of the 10 members:
(i)    5 shall be members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(ii)    5 shall be members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(c)    The members of the Committee serve at the pleasure of the presiding officer who appointed them.
(d)    The President and the Speaker shall jointly appoint a Senator and a Delegate each to serve as cochairman.
(e)    The Department of Legislative Services shall provide staff assistance to the Committee.
(f)    The Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays shall meet with the Committee periodically as the Committee requests to review development and implementation of the criteria for program development.
(g)    The Committee may study and make recommendations to the Legislative Policy Committee on any other area of the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program the Committee considers appropriate.
(h)    The Committee shall meet with the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, representatives of counties and municipalities having land within the critical areas, and any other interested parties to study and determine:
(1)    whether adequate flexibility exists under the current criteria to meet the special characteristics and needs of the individual counties and municipalities having land within the critical areas;
(2)    whether the current timetable for review of approved local critical area protection programs is adequate to meet the special characteristics and needs of the individual counties and municipalities having land within the critical areas; and
(3)    whether the criteria need to be strengthened in any area so as to make the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program more effective in the protection of the water quality and habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
(i)    The Committee shall study and determine the appropriate future role of the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, including:
(1)    whether the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays should remain an autonomous organization or be incorporated into an existing executive agency;
(2)    how long the current oversight role of the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays should continue; and
(3)    whether the current appeal process is the most effective appeal process to meet the goals of the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area protection law.