STANDING COMMITTEES______________________________________

Standing committees are defined as those committees set forth in the Rules of the Senate or the Rules
of the House of Delegates (Code State Government Article, sec. 2-101 (f)). Their primary function is to
consider all legislation referred to them by the Senate President or House Speaker.

The Senate has six standing committees (Senate Rule 18). The House has eight standing committees
(House Rule 18). In addition, there are three joint standing committees. At the beginning of each session,
the Senate President and House Speaker appoint the members of standing committees and designate
chairpersons and vice-chairperson. A senator or delegate may not be appointed to more than one standing
committee whose main function is to consider legislation.

The rules of each chamber require every bill to be referred by the presiding officer to the appropriate
standing committee (Senate Rule 33; House Rule 33). An exception is made for bills which are strictly
local with no statewide impact. Such bills are referred instead to select committees. A select committee is
usually composed of a county's delegation in the House or its senators, with other members appointed
as necessary to make up the minimum number of three. Counties without home rule keep their select
committees busy

The House or Senate may suspend its Rules in order to consider a bill or resolution without referring
it to a standing committee as long as each member receives a copy of the bill or resolution to be so
considered (Senate Rule 33 (f); House Rule 33 (f))-

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE Laurence Levitan, Chairperson Francis X. Kelly Vice-Chairperson William H. Amoss; Raymond E. Beck; John A. Cade; Bernie Fowler; Barbara A. Hoffman; Nathan C. Irby, Jr.; Frank J. Komenda; Julian L. Lapides; Ida G. Ruben; Charles H. Smelser; Decatur W Trotter. Staff: Robbin S. Marks; Robin R. Kushner; Michael Johansen 841-3710 Room 100, James Building 841-3690 The Budget and Taxation Committee considers legislation relating to State operating and capital budgets, including revenues and expenditures; sup- plementary appropriations; State and county bond authorizations; legislative budgetary procedures; taxation and property assessments; and proposals requiring significant expenditures. The Committee consists of thirteen members.

ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Clarence W. Blount, Chairperson Arthur Dorman, Vice-Chairperson John N. Bambacus; Michael J. Collins; John W Derr; Idamae Garrott; Paula C. Hollinger; Frederick C. Malkus, Jr.; American Joe Miedusiewski; S. Frank Shore; Gerald W Winegrad. Staff: Carol L. Swan; Lynne Blume; Lynne Barney Taylor 841-3870 Room 200, James Building 841 -3661 The Economic and Environmental Affairs Com- mittee considers legislation relating to agriculture and land preservation; natural resources; alcoholic beverages; mobile homes; elections; veterans and defense; education; fire prevention and safety; pro- curement; environmental health; local govern- ment; administrative law; State government reorganization and procedures; and business and occupational licensing and regulation (including health occupations). Eleven senators serve on this committee.