54 /Legislature

SENATE
STANDING COMMITTEES

The Senate, having fewer members than the
House of Delegates, often met as a whole body,
rather than in committee, to review proposed laws.
Nonetheless, although Senate committees func-
tioned earlier, by the nineteenth century, standing
(or continuing) committees were formed, begin-
ning in December 1823. At that time, the Senate
President appointed standing committees on Ways
and Means; Internal Improvements; and Pensions
and Revolutionary [War] Claims. While names of
standing committees have changed over the years,
their purpose remains the same—to review pro-
posed legislation.
Presently, the Senate has four standing commit-
tees to review bills: Budget and Taxation; Economic
and Environmental Affairs; Finance; and Judicial
Proceedings. Two additional standing committees
are Executive Nominations, and Rules.

BUDGET & TAXATION COMMITTEE
Laurence Levitan, Chairperson
Barbara A. Hoffman, Vice-Chairperson

James Senate Office Building, Room 100
110 College Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3690

Functions of the Budget and Taxation Commit-
tee originated with the Finance Committee, which
was created in 1831. Responsibility for reviewing
bills concerned with the budget of State govern-
ment and tax matters were reassigned to the Budget
and Taxation Committee when it was established in
1975.
The Committee considers legislation relating to
State operating and capital budgets, including reve-
nues, expenditures, and supplementary appropria-
tions; State and county bond authorizations;
legislative budgetary procedures; taxation and
property assessments; and proposals requiring sig-
nificant expenditures. The Committee consists of
thirteen members.
Under the Budget and Taxation Committee are
five subcommittees: Capital Budget; Health, Edu-
cation, and Human Resources; Pensions; Public
Safety, Transportation, Economic Development,
and Natural Resources; and Revenue and Taxes.

ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Clarence W. Blount, Chairperson
Arthur Dorman, Vice-Chairperson

James Senate Office Building, Room 200
110 College Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3661

Maryland Manual 1994-1995

The Economic and Environmental Affairs Com-
mittee traces to the Economic Affairs Committee,
which was formed in 1967. From that committee
came the present standing committee in 1984.
The Economic and Environmental Affairs Com-
mittee considers legislation relating to administra-
tive law; agriculture and land preservation;
alcoholic beverages; business and occupational li-
censing and regulation (including health occupa-
tions); education; elections; environmental health;
fire prevention and safety; housing and economic
development; local government; natural resources;
procurement; State government reorganization
and procedures; and veterans and defense. Eleven
senators serve on this committee.
Under the Economic and Environmental Affairs
Committee are five subcommittees: Education; En-
vironmental; Ethics and Elections; Health; and
Licensing and Regulations.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
Thomas Patrick O'Reilly, Chairperson
James C. Simpson, Vice-Chairperson

James Senate Office Building, Presidential Wing
110 College Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3677

The Finance Committee was formed in Decem-
ber 1831. Originally, it bore the responsibility of
reviewing all bills concerned with fiscal matters. In
1975, the review of budgetary and tax matters was
assigned to a separate committee—the Budget and
Taxation Committee.
The Finance Committee considers legislation
relating to banks and financial institutions; com-
mercial law; credit regulation and consumer financ-
ing; economic and community development;
health; horse racing; insurance; labor and employ-
ment; lottery and gambling; pensions and retire-
ment; State personnel; social services;
transportation; unemployment insurance; utility
regulation; and worker's compensation. The Com-
mittee consists of eleven members.

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE
Walter M. Baker, Chairperson
Norman R. Stone, Jr., Vice-Chairperson

James Senate Office Building, Room 300
110 College Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3623

The Judicial Proceedings Committee was estab-
lished by the Senate in December 1831 as a five-
member body first appointed in January 1832.
The Committee considers legislation relating to
legal aspects of alcoholic beverages; commercial
law; constitutional amendments; consumer protec-
tion; corporations and associations; crimes and
punishments; criminal and civil procedures; equal