legislation in the form of proposed bills; and to study the rules of
both Houses of the General Assembly and suggest revisions for
expediting the business of the Legislature. The Council receives
recommendations from the various State agencies, bar associations,
labor unions, and other organized groups and private individuals. It
holds hearings on legislative proposals and may subpoena witnesses
and records.

RESEARCH DIVISION

A Research Division was established to make legal and factual
studies of legislation or proposed legislation referred to the Division
by the Council. The Division also prepares studies on any matters
which may be referred to it by any committee or commission appointed
by the Council, or by either or both Houses of the General Assembly,
or, with the consent of the Council, by any commission or committee
appointed by the Governor (Code 1957, as amended. Art. 40, secs.
27-39).

Appropriations 1963 1964

General Funds ................................... $40,000 $60,000
Staff: 6.

A HISTORY OF
THE 1962 SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly of Maryland met in approximately its 329th
session on February 7, 1962. It adjourned on the evening of the 30th
day, March 8,1962.

A total of 355 bills was introduced, of which 156 were Senate bills
and 200 were House bills. Eighty Senate bills passed both Houses;
77 were signed by the Governor and 3 were vetoed. Sixty-six House
bills passed both houses; 61 were signed by the Governor and 5 were
vetoed.

The Gubernatorial vetoes were made after adjournment of the
session, and under a 1960 amendment to the State Constitution, were
not required to be returned to the next session for consideration. As
a courtesy to the members, the vetoes were returned to the Senate
and House at the Special Session of May 25, 1962. The veto of one
bill was sustained in the Senate, but on the other two bills the veto
was overridden. Subsequently, vetoes on both bills were sustained in
the House. Of the House bills vetoed, the House sustained the vetoes
on all five bills.

Fifty-five joint resolutions were introduced, 22 in the Senate and 33
in the House. Thirteen Senate Joint Resolutions and 16 House Joint
Resolutions passed both Houses.

The General Assembly of 1962 proposed four amendments to the
State Constitution. One amendment permitted imprisonment for debt
of persons failing to pay a court order for support of illegitimate
children. Another increased the annual salaries of the members of
the General Assembly from $1,800 to $3,000. The third changed the
procedure for appraisal of property to be acquired for public pur-
poses by Montgomery County. The last amendment increased the
number of signers required on a petition to refer to a vote State-wide
acts of the General Assembly. All amendments were voted upon at
the 1962 General Election and all except the salary increase for
General Assembly members were approved by the voters.