Kara Sears
The Maryland General Assembly is the legislative body responsible for passing bills that become law in Maryland. The General Assembly meets each year for a 90-day session starting in January. After a bill is passed by the General Assembly, it is sent to the Governor for approval, who may sign it into law or veto it. If passed by three-fifths of the total number of members of each house, a bill can become law immediately upon the Governor's approval. The judicial branch, including the Maryland Supreme Court, is responsible for interpreting the laws made by the General Assembly and handling civil and criminal court cases. Local governments in Maryland's twenty-four main jurisdictions also have the power to make local laws and ordinances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legislative body | General Assembly |
| Legislative branch | Congress |
| Congress consists of | Senate and House of Representatives |
| Local government legislatures | City and county councils |
| Number of main local jurisdictions | 24 |
| Number of towns and cities with their own governments | 157 |
| Power to override a veto | General Assembly |
| Laws approved by the Constitution take effect | First day of June |
| Standard effective date for legislation | October 1 |
| Highest court | Supreme Court of Maryland |
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What You'll Learn
The Maryland General Assembly
The legislative process in Maryland begins with a bill being proposed in one of the two chambers of the General Assembly. Once passed by the first chamber, the bill is sent to the other chamber, where it undergoes a similar process to the first chamber, except that amendments may be proposed during the second and third readings. If the bill is not amended in the second chamber, it may pass without being reprinted. All bills passed by the General Assembly become law when signed by the Governor, or when passed over the Governor's veto by three-fifths of the membership of each house.
The General Assembly holds a 90-day session each year, starting in January. The Maryland General Assembly website provides current information on bills introduced and laws passed, with session laws available online at the Archives of Maryland Online. The full text of all public general and local laws are arranged by chapter number. The Maryland Register publishes proposed and final regulations, executive orders, Attorney General opinions, and agency hearing and meeting notices.
The judicial branch, including the state courts and the Supreme Court of Maryland, is responsible for interpreting the laws made by the General Assembly. State Judges make their decisions based on their interpretation of the state legislature's intentions for enacting the law. Local government legislatures, including city and county councils, also play a role in making local laws and ordinances.
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The Governor
In Maryland, the Governor has the authority to introduce and manage the state budget. This includes proposing funding allocations, adjustments, and initiatives to support specific sectors or address fiscal challenges. The Governor's budget proposals are then reviewed and voted on by the General Assembly. This process allows the Governor to shape the state's financial priorities and influence policy implementation.
Another important aspect of the Governor's role is appointing individuals to various positions within the state government. These appointments can include judges, heads of state agencies, and members of advisory boards and commissions. By making these appointments, the Governor can significantly impact the administration of justice, the implementation of state policies, and the development of specific initiatives.
Overall, the Governor of Maryland has substantial responsibilities and powers in shaping the state's laws and policies. Their collaboration with the General Assembly and their executive authority play a crucial role in governing the state and addressing the needs of its citizens.
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Local governments
The executive branch of city or county governments also makes regulations to implement local laws, although these are usually not found online. For specific information on local regulations, it is best to refer to the relevant city or county website. The Thurgood Marshall State Law Library's website also includes links to local codes that are available online.
The Maryland Register publishes proposed and final regulations, executive orders, Attorney General opinions, and agency hearing and meeting notices. The General Assembly is Maryland's legislative body, and the laws it passes are known as the Laws of Maryland. These are available at the Library in print and through database subscriptions. The Maryland House and Senate Journals record the proceedings of the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate Sessions.
The Maryland General Assembly meets annually for a 90-day session starting in January. During these sessions, bills are proposed and passed, becoming law when signed by the Governor, or when passed over the Governor's veto by three-fifths of the membership of each house. Emergency bills passed by three-fifths of each house become law immediately upon the Governor's approval. The General Assembly also has the power to override a veto.
The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the laws made by the General Assembly. State judges make their decisions based on their interpretation of the state legislature's intentions.
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The judicial branch
The Maryland judiciary comprises two appellate courts: the Supreme Court of Maryland, the highest court, and the Appellate Court of Maryland, the intermediate appellate court. These appellate courts review a trial court's (District or Circuit Court) actions and decisions in given cases and decide whether the trial judge has properly followed the law and legal precedent.
The Supreme Court of Maryland promulgates rules that govern the practice and procedure in state courts. The Circuit Courts generally handle more serious criminal cases, major civil cases, including juvenile and other family law cases such as divorce, custody and child support, and most cases appealed from the District Court, orphans' courts, and certain administrative agencies. Circuit courts also hear domestic violence cases. Each county and the City of Baltimore has a circuit court. Cases may involve juries or sometimes are heard by a judge only.
State judges make their decisions based on what they believe was the state legislature's intention for enacting the law. State rules and regulations may differ from those of the federal government, but they may not undermine federal authority.
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The legislative process
Once a bill has passed the first chamber, it is sent to the opposite chamber, where the procedure is repeated. If the bill is amended in the second chamber, it is sent back to the first chamber for approval of the amendments. This process continues until both chambers agree on the final version of the bill.
After a bill has been passed by both chambers, it is sent to the Governor for signature. The Governor has the option to sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action and let it become law without their signature. If the Governor vetoes a bill, the General Assembly can override the veto with a three-fifths majority vote in each house.
In addition to the state-level legislative process, Maryland also has local government legislatures consisting of city and county councils that make local laws and ordinances. There are 24 main local jurisdictions in Maryland, including 23 counties and one municipality, Baltimore City. Many cities and counties in Maryland maintain a code of local laws and ordinances, which may not always be available online.
The judicial branch, including state judges and the Maryland Supreme Court, is responsible for interpreting the laws made by the General Assembly and handling civil and criminal court cases.
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Frequently asked questions
The General Assembly of Maryland is responsible for making laws in the state. The legislative body passes bills, which become law when signed by the Governor.
A bill is proposed legislation under consideration by a legislature. Once passed by the first chamber, the bill is sent to the opposite chamber for its first reading and is assigned to a committee for consideration. Amendments may be proposed during the second and third readings. If not amended, final passage may occur without reprinting. All bills passed by the General Assembly become law when signed by the Governor.
The Maryland Code is a compilation of the statutes, organised by subject (e.g. Criminal Law Article, Family Law Article). The Maryland Code and Rules are available online through multiple sources.
