cities and towns, although the Assembly retains its power to pass
a general Statewide law that affects them. The General Assembly
may establish such departments of the State government as are
necessary for its efficient operation and may establish special taxing
districts or areas within the State for the purpose of administering
a special function or functions. The General Assembly may establish
such taxes as are in accordance with the Constitution of the State
and of the United States. It may propose amendments to the State
Constitution, which must be embodied in a regular legislative bill
and passed by three-fifths of the total membership of each House.
All amendments to the Constitution must be submitted to the voters
at the next general election after passage.

All bills passed by the General Assembly become law when signed
by the Governor, or passed over his veto by three-fifths of the
membership of each House, on the first day of June after the session
in which the law was passed; except, (1) when a later date is
specified in the Act or (2) when the bill is declared an emergency
measure and passed by three-fifths of the total number of members
of each House, in which case the bill becomes law immediately upon
its approval by the Governor.

The General Assembly may add a referendum provision to any
local bill but may not submit a state-wide bill to referendum (with
the exception of a Soldiers' Bonus Bill). Any state-wide bill, except
an appropriation bill, and any local bill which concerns a county or
Baltimore City may be submitted to a referendum by petition. No
bill subject to a referendum shall be enforceable until approved by
a majority of the voters at the election in which the referred bill is
voted upon, except an emergency bill, which shall be effective im-
mediately and shall remain effective thirty days following its re-
jection by the voters (XVI).

The House of Delegates has sole power of impeachment of any
officer of the State. A majority of the whole number of members of
the House must approve any bill of impeachment. The Senate tries
all impeachment cases, and two-thirds of the total number of Senators
must concur in a verdict of guilty (III, 26).

Both Houses elect the State Treasurer by a joint ballot. Every
fourth year the General Assembly also elects the Governor if the
popular election has resulted in a tie or the winning candidate is
ineligible; and should the office become vacant while the General
Assembly is in session, then it shall elect a successor; otherwise, the
President of the Senate succeeds to the office until the next regular
session.

Appropriations 1969 1960

General Funds.................................................. $956,151 $590,000
Staff: 23

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN: George W. Della, President of the Senate
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Perry 0. Wilkinson, Speaker of the
House of Delegates

MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE:

Ex officio Members: Edward S. Northrop, Chairman, Finance
Committee; Frederick C. Malkus, Jr., Chairman, Committee
on Judicial Proceedings; Harry T. Phoebus, Minority Floor
Leader.