ject to a referendum is 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 is effective immediately and
remains effective thirty days following its rejec-
tion by the voters (Const. 1867, Art. XVI).

The House of Delegates has sole power of im-
peachment of any officer of the State. A majority
of the whole number of members of the House
must approve any bill of impeachment. The Sen-
ate tries all impeachment cases, and two-thirds of
the total number of Senators must concur in a
verdict of guilty (Const. 1867, Art. Ill, sec. 26).

Both Houses elect the State Treasurer by joint
ballot. The General Assembly also elects the
Governor and/or the Lieutenant Governor if the
popular election has resulted in a tie or the win-
ning candidate and/or candidates are ineligible.
When a vacancy occurs in the office of Governor,
the Lieutenant Governor succeeds to that office
for the remainder of the term. If a vacancy occurs
in the office of Lieutenant Governor, the Gover-
nor nominates a person to succeed to that office
upon confirmation by a majority vote of all mem-
bers of the General Assembly in joint session. If
vacancies occur in both the offices of Governor
and Lieutenant Governor at the same time, the
General Assembly must convene and fill the of-
fice of Governor by a majority vote of all the
members in joint session. The chosen Governor
then nominates a Lieutenant Governor with the
same confirmation.

The President of the Senate serves as acting
Governor if the Lieutenant Governor is not able
to serve as acting Governor. If there is a vacancy
in the office of President of the Senate when he is
authorized to serve as acting Governor, the Sen-
ate must convene and fill the vacancy (Const.
1867, Art. II, secs. 1A, 1B, 6, 7A).

A HISTORY OF THE 1981 SESSION OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly met in regular session
on January 14, 1981, and adjourned on April 13.
This was the 383rd session of the legislative
branch of Maryland government.

Of the 3,041 bills introduced during the 1981
session, 1,127 originated in the Senate and 1,914
in the House. A total of 356 Senate bills were
passed by both houses; 306 were signed and 50
were vetoed by the Governor. Of the House bills,
553 were passed by both houses; 508 were signed
by the Governor and 45 were vetoed.

Joint Resolutions introduced totaled 176, with
71 originating in the Senate and 105 in the

Legislature/31

House. Of these, 16 Senate and 14 House Joint
Resolutions were passed by both houses. All were
signed by the President of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Delegates.

The Budget Bill enacted during the 1981 Ses-
sion for fiscal year 1982 amounted to
$5,646,180,937. The General Construction Loan
of 1981 (Capital Budget) approved a total of
$87,670,000 in projects. The Governor vetoed one
line item in the Capital Budget (Const. 1867, Art.
II, sec. 17, and Art. Ill, sec 52(8)).

Among the important measures enacted were:
A six-bill package tightening enforcement against
drunken drivers; fiscal relief for State education
programs; broadening of civil rights protection
for minority businesses and handicapped persons;
enlargement of both the civil and criminal juris-
diction of the District Court; strengthening of
flood management programs; a five-bill package
concerning the Agricultural Land Preservation
Foundation; a ten-bill package aimed at improv-
ing energy conservation; licensing provisions for
dealers in precious metals and stones; a compre-
hensive revision of the Condominium Law; con-
solidation and updating of Emergency Manage-
ment; and a limited waiver of sovereign immunity
in certain tort actions.

No proposals to amend the Constitution of
Maryland were enacted.

A HISTORY OF THE 1982 SESSION OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly met in regular session
on January 13, 1982, and adjourned on April 12.
This was the 384th session of the legislative
branch of Maryland government.

Of the 3,052 bills introduced during the 1982
session, 1,130 originated in the Senate and 1,922
in the House. A total of 433 Senate bills were
passed by both houses; 361 were signed and 72
vetoed by the Governor. Of the House bills, 607
were passed by both houses; 555 were signed by
the Governor and 52 were vetoed.

Joint Resolutions introduced totaled 173, with
65 originating in the Senate and 108 in the
House. Of these, 11 Senate and 19 House Joint
Resolutions were passed by both houses. All were
signed by the President of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Delegates.

The Budget Bill enacted during the 1982 ses-
sion for fiscal year 1983 amounted to
$6,162,490,944. The General Construction Loan
of 1982 (Capital Budget) approved a total of
$98,633,000 in projects.