162 /Constitutional Offices & Agencies

COMPTROLLER OF THE
TREASURY

Louis L. Goldstein, Comptroller of the Treasury

Goldstein Treasury Building
80 Calvert St
Annapolis, MD 21404—0466 (410) 974-3801

The office of the Comptroller of the Treasury was
established in 1851. The Comptroller is elected by
popular vote for a term of four years (Const., Art. VI,
sec. 1). The number of terms a Comptroller may serve
is not limited. The Comptroller must give a bond and
keep the office at the seat of government. The Comp-
troller qualifies on the third Monday in January fol-
lowing election, but the qualifications to hold office
are not stated either in the 1867 Constitution or in the
Annotated Code of Maryland.
The Constitution enumerates the Comptroller's
duties, beginning with the broad mandate to exer-
cise "general superintendence over the fiscal affairs
of the State, preparing plans for the improvement
and management of revenue to support the public
credit". More specifically, the Comptroller is to "pre-
serve all public accounts, and decide on the forms
of keeping and stating accounts"; to "grant, under
regulations prescribed by law, all warrants for
money to be paid out of the Treasury"; and to
"superintend and enforce the prompt collection of
all taxes and revenues". Jointly with the State Treas-
urer the Comptroller supervises the Central Payroll
Bureau. The Comptroller (or deputies) counter-
signs all checks drawn by the State Treasurer upon
the deposits of the State. The Comptroller pre-
scribes the formalities for the transfer or other
evidence of the State debt and countersigns such
papers. The Comptroller administers and collects
the following specific taxes: income tax, both per-
sonal and corporate; retail sales and use taxes;
motor vehicle fuel tax; road tax on motor carriers;
State tobacco tax; Maryland estate tax; and excise
taxes on beer, wine, and liquor. Also administered
by the Comptroller are the Abandoned Property
and Dormant Bank Account Laws. Revenues col-
lected by the Maryland Racing Commission as well
as motor vehicle revenues are distributed to political
subdivisions by the Comptroller's Office. Admis-
sions and amusement tax revenues are collected by
the Tax Compliance Division, at rates set by local
officials, and distributed to political subdivisions.
The Comptroller prescribes the form of all licenses
required by the State licensing laws, which are issued
through the Clerks of the Courts of the various coun-
ties. Each month the Comptroller collects license
revenues. State property transfer taxes, death taxes,
and real and personal property taxes from the Clerks
of the Courts, Registers of Wills, and County Treas-
urers of each county. Distribution of certain taxes and
revenue is made to the cities, towns, and counties of

Maryland Manual 1994-1995

the State and to other State agencies as prescribed
by law (Code 1957, Art. 78B, sec. 19; Code Tax-
General Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-203, 2-301,
2-302, 2-606 through 2-609, 2-614, 2-617, 2-901,
2-902, 2-1001 through 2-1004, 2-1506; Code
Transportation Article, secs. 8-401 through 8-
407).
By law, the Comptroller of the Treasury serves
on the Board of Public Works; the Board of Reve-
nue Estimates; the Maryland Agricultural Land
Preservation Foundation; the Maryland Industrial
Development Financing Authority; the Banking
Board; the Board of State Canvassers; the Capital
Debt Affordability Committee; the Maryland Food
Center Authority; the Hall of Records Commis-
sion; the Maryland Higher Education Supplemen-
tal Loan Authority; the State Use Industries
Advisory Committee; the Maryland State Employ-
ees Surety Bond Committee; and the Board of
Trustees for Maryland State Retirement and Pen-
sion Systems. The Comptroller also chairs the Visi-
tors and Governors of Washington College and
serves on the State Employees' Health Insurance
Advisory Council, and the Task Force on
Chesapeake Bay Ferries.
In 1993, the Comptroller of the Treasury Office
underwent a major reorganization. Functions were
consolidated under four main bureaus: Financial
Control; Revenue; Regulation; and Data Services.
The Comptroller's Comprehensive Annual Finan-
cial Report as well as pamphlets and booklets describ-
ing taxes collected by the Comptroller and offering
advice on opening a new business and furnishing
statistical information are available from the Office of
Public Aftairs (telephone: (410) 974-3885).

FINANCIAL CONTROL

BOARD OF REVENUE ESTIMATES

Ex officio: Louis L. Goldstein, Comptroller of the
Treasury; Lucille Maurer, State Treasurer; Charles L.
Benton, Jr., Secretary of Budget & Fiscal Planning.

Ann O'Brien Franklin, Executive Secretary

P.O. Box 466
Goldstein Treasury Building
Annapolis, MD 21404 (410) 974-3881

The Board of Revenue Estimates was created in
1945 (Chapter 991, Acts of 1945). The Board
studies the findings and recommendations of the
Bureau of Revenue Estimates. The Board then
sends to the Governor, for submission to the Gen-
eral Assembly, an itemized statement of anticipated
revenues for the next fiscal year. With the itemized
statement, the Board submits its recommendations
to the Governor.