The Department also provides support services
to the General Assembly through printing, bill
distribution, telecommunications, and the intern
and page programs. In addition, the Department
administers a public affairs program that includes
publications, audio-visual materials, the Annapolis
Report, and the Legislative Handbook series.

DIVISION OF BUDGET REVIEW
Robert E. Brady, Director 841-3736

The Division of Budget Review studies and re-
views the State's operating and capital budgets
during all phases of their development by the Ex-
ecutive and adoption by the Legislature, including
an annual analysis submitted to the General Assem-
bly Studies of the operation, administration, and
effectiveness of State agencies and institutions are
compiled. The Division prepares a short and long
term forecast of State revenues and expenditures
and an annual analysis of State bonded indebted-
ness. Under the Regulatory Program Evaluation
Act of 1978, the Division also provides the evalua-
tion reports required (Code State Government Ar-
ticle, sec. 2-1228).

DIVISION OF FISCAL RESEARCH
Joseph M. Coble, Director 841-3710

The Division of Fiscal Research provides staff
support to the fiscal committees of the General
Assembly and studies State and local financial mat-
ters and fiscal interrelationships. As required by law,
it prepares fiscal notes on every bill or joint resolu-
tion, collects financial data on local governments,
and publishes an annual report on local govern-
ment finances. The Division also compiles an annual
report on the fiscal impact of each legislative session
(Code State Government Article, sec. 2-1234).

DIVISION OF AUDITS
Anthony J. Verdecchia, Legislative Auditor

301 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201 225-1400

The Office of Legislative Auditor was estab-
lished as the Office of the State Auditor in 1902 and
1929 (Chapter 257, Acts of 1902; Chapter 226,
Acts of 1929). The Office of Legislative Auditor is
responsible for conducting post audits of a compli-
ance or performance nature of all departments,
agencies, and institutions of State government, in-
cluding the offices of clerks of court and registers of
wills. Upon direction by the General Assembly or
the Joint Budget and Audit Committee, the Legis-
lative Auditor may undertake a management audit
of a State agency or program or an audit of a private
organization that receives State funds. The Office
also reviews the audit reports of all local govern-

Legislature/49

ments and community colleges (Code State Gov-
ernment Article, secs. 2-1201 through 2-1222).

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
COMPENSATION COMMISSION

Chairperson: George A. Nilson

Appointed by Governor: Naomi C. Booker; L. Russell
Gobbel; Louise Kier; George A. Nilson; one
vacancy.

Appointed by Senate President: Phyllis B. Brotman;
Richard A. Friedlander.

Appointed by House Speaker: Charles H. Rush; John
F. Shettle, Sr. Terms expire 1990.

Staff: William S. Ratchford II

Department of Fiscal Services
90 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401 841-3761
TTY for Deaf: 841-3814

The General Assembly Compensation Commis-
sion was created by Constitutional Amendment,
ratified November 3, 1970 (Chapter 576, Acts of
1970). The Commission determines the compensa-
tion and allowances due members of the General
Assembly. The Legislature may reduce but not in-
crease the amounts proposed. As of January 1989,
the annual salary of a legislator is $24,000. The
annual salary for the Senate President and the
House Speaker is $31,500.

The Commission consists of nine members, five
appointed by the Governor, two appointed by the
President of the Senate, and two appointed by rhe
Speaker of the House of Delegates. Members serve
four-year terms. Officers and employees of State or
local government are not eligible for appointment
to the Commission (Const., Art. Ill, sec. 15).

STATE COMMISSION ON UNIFORM
STATE LAWS

Chairperson: M. Michael Cramer, 1991
K. King Burnett, 1991; M. King Hill, Jr., 1991
Associate Commissioner: Elizabeth Buckler Veronis

216 North Adams St.
Rockville, MD 20850 424-0677

The General Assembly, in 1896, established the
Commissioners for the Promotion of Uniformity of
Legislation in the United States (Chapter 264, Acts
of 1896). In 1984, the Commissioners were re-
named the State Commission on Uniform State
Laws (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-201
through 9-206).