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budget (General Construction Loan of 1983) ap-
proved a total of $99,215,000 in projects.

The 1983 session proved to be one of the quietest
and least controversial in recent memory. Howev-
er, of the bills enacted, some of the most significant
were: revisions in the death penalty law; broaden-
ing of provisions that require smoke detectors in
hotels and multi-family dwellings; tightening of
drunk driving laws; a requirement that young
children traveling in automobiles be placed in child
safety seats; creation of a new Department of
Employment and Training; passage of the Job
Training Partnership Act; establishment of a "Lot-
to" game under the State Lottery Commission;
revision of the allocation of powers between
counties and the incorporated municipalities locat-
ed in those counties; broadening of local govern-
ment anti-trust immunity; and a bill to deregulate
consumer credit.

Twelve constitutional amendments were pro-
posed during the session, but none were approved
by the General Assembly.

There was no consideration of the vetoed 1982
bills because consideration of whether to override
those vetoes was taken up during the 1982 special
session of the General Assembly.

1983 SPECIAL SESSION

The Governor called the General Assembly into
special session on June 12, 1983, pursuant to his
powers under Article III, sec. 14 of the Constitu-
tion. This constituted the 387th session of the
legislative branch of Maryland government.

Although three bills were introduced during the
one-day special session, only one was acted upon.
That bill, subsequently signed by the Governor,
alters the law relating to the purchase of corporate
stock in situations of corporate "take-overs."

Bills from the 1983 regular session that had been
vetoed by the Governor were considered, but no
vetoes were overriden.

1984 SESSION

The General Assembly convened on January 11,
1984. This was the 388th session of the legislative
branch of Maryland government. The session
concluded 90 days later on April 9.

A total of 2,813 were introduced (1,073 in the
Senate and 1,740 in the House). Of the Senate bills,
342 were passed by both houses, 302 signed by the
Governor, and 40 vetoed. Of the House bills, 540

were passed by both houses, 496 signed by the
Governor, and 44 vetoed.

The General Assembly introduced 120 joint
resolutions: 52 in the Senate and 67 in the House.
Of these, 14 Senate joint resolutions and 17 House
joint resolutions were passed by both houses.

The Governor did not exercise his authority to
introduce Executive Orders during the 1984 ses-
sion.

The State operating budget enacted for the 1985
fiscal year was $6.9 billion, an 8.37 percent in-
crease over the previous year's appropriation. The
capital budget authorized $117,193,000 in con-
struction projects.

In contrast to the 1983 session, the 1984 session
was one of the most controversial of recent years.
Although the measure eventually passed, reform of
the State pension system generated intense pres-
sure from affected groups. Among the important
enactments were: a change in the burden of proof
when the insanity defense is used in criminal cases;
a constitutional amendment requiring that certain
elected officials be registered voters; a change in
the licensing procedure for bay pilots; creation of a
statewide master electrician licensing procedure;
implementation of a "competitive rating" structure
for casualty and automobile insurance; creation of
the Maryland Economic Development Corpora-
tion; an Automotive Warranty Enforcement Act,
popularly known as the "lemon law"; a work
sharing unemployment insurance program for par-
tially unemployed workers; increased workmen's
compensation for coverage for seasonal and migra-
tory farm workers; a reform of the State's pension
system; a package of bills to restore the quality of
the Chesapeake Bay; and a major revision of the
State's system of aid to public education.

There was no consideration of 1983 bills that
had been vetoed by the Governor because that
constitutional duty had been performed during the
1983 special session.

STANDING COMMITTEES
SENATE

Budget and Taxation

Laurence Levitan, Chairperson
Clarence W. Blount, Vice-Chairperson

Stewart Bainum, Jr.; Raymond E. Beck; John A.
Cade; John C. Coolahan; C. Bernard Fowler;