HOUSE OF DELEGATES

STANDING COMMITTEES

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In 1692, the Appropriations Committee originated as the Committee on Accounts. By the Revolutionary War era, it had become the Committee on Claims (upon the Treasury). The Claims Committee functioned from 1776 to 1968 when its responsibilities were shifted briefly to the Economic Matters Committee. In 1971, budgetary and other duties were assigned to the Appropriations Committee created in that year.

[photo, House Office Building, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, Maryland] The Appropriations Committee reviews legislation relating to State operating and capital budgets, including supplementary appropriations; collective bargaining; fiscal procedures; government personnel and pension matters; higher education institutions; State and county bond authorizations; State and local agency procedures and programs; and social services.

House Office Building, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, Maryland, August 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Twenty-six delegates serve on this committee (House Rules 17, 18; Code State Government Article, secs. 2-1102 through 2-1105).

SUBCOMMITTEES

In 1976, the Appropriations Committee worked through six subcommittees: Capital Budget; Data Processing Management; Government Operations; Human Relations Commission; Program Evaluation and Zero-Base Budgeting; and State Services. By 1982, five subcommittees functioned within the Committee: Capital Projects; Education and Human Resources; Health and the Environment; Law Enforcement and Transportation; and Pensions and Personnel.

Presently, the Committee has five subcommittees: Capital Budget; Education and Economic Development; Health and Social Services; Public Safety and Administration; and Transportation and the Environment. The Committee also has been aided by two oversight committees: Pensions, and Personnel.

CAPITAL BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE
The Capital Budget Subcommittee formed by 1976.

EDUCATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
By 1982, the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee organized as the Education and Human Resources Subcommittee. By 1992 it became the Education and Transportation Subcommittee and received its present name in 1995.

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
The Health and Social Services Subcommittee had its origins in the Health and the Environment Subcommittee, formed by 1980, and the Education and Human Resources Subcommittee, created by 1982. Functions of the latter two subcommittees were reorganized in 1995 to form the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee. In November 2017, the Subcommittee adopted its present name.

PUBLIC SAFETY & ADMINISTRATION SUBCOMMITTEE
In 1982, the Law Enforcement and Transportation Subcommittee was carrying out duties of the Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee. In 1992, it reorganized as the Human Resources and Public Safety Subcommittee. It reformed in 1995 under its present name.

RACING & SPORTS FACILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE
Under the Appropriations Committee, the Racing and Sports Facilities Subcommittee started in January 2026.

TRANSPORTATION & THE ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
Functions of the Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee were evident by 1982 in the Law Enforcement and Transportation Subcommittee and the Health and the Environment Subcommittee. By 1992, they continued when two subcommittees were formed: Education and Transportation, and Health and the Environment. Certain functions of each merged in 1995 to form the subcommittee as now named.

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS
The Oversight Committee on Pensions was created as the Pensions and Personnel Subcommittee by 1982, and received its current name in 1993.

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON PERSONNEL
The Oversight Committee on Personnel was established first through the Pensions and Personnel Subcommittee by 1982. In 1993 the present committee formed.

Senate
House of Delegates
General Assembly
Legislative Committees
Legislative Process
Maryland Government
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.

Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!

[ Archives' Home Page  ||  Maryland Manual On-Line  ||  Reference & Research
||  Search the Archives   ||  Education & Outreach  ||  Archives of Maryland Online ]

Governor     General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland.Gov

© Copyright August 03, 2026 Maryland State Archives