1900                             Joint Resolutions

No. 20
(Senate Joint Resolution 32)

Senate Joint Resolution establishing a Commission to identify the
various functions of government as being either (1) solely State,
(2) solely local, or (3) joint State and local, and to make recom-
mendations as to modifications of intergovernmental fiscal rela-
tionships necessary to assure adequate resources for the per-
formance of these functions.

Whereas, There is a need for an in-depth study of the various
functions of government in the State of Maryland, in order to define
those functions which should be solely the responsibility of the
State, those functions which should be solely the responsibility of
the local subdivisions, and those functions which should be jointly
performed, and

Whereas, Such a study cannot proceed without careful consid-
eration of the intergovernmental fiscal relationships required to
carry out the responsibilities and functions assigned to the State
and its local subdivisions, taking into account the allocation and
sharing of various sources of revenue among the various levels of
government, and

Whereas, Such a study will require the participation of persons
actively engaged in State and local government and persons who
possess extensive knowledge of the operation and financing of State
and local government; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That an in-depth
study be made of the various functions of government in the State
of Maryland, in an attempt to define those functions which should
be solely the responsibility of the State, those functions which should
be solely the responsibility of the (local subdivisions, and those
functions which should be jointly performed; and be it further

Resolved, That such study include careful consideration of the
intergovernmental fiscal relationships (other than those relating to
public education) required to carry out the responsibilities and
functions assigned to the State and its local subdivisions, taking
into account the allocation and sharing of various sources of revenue
among the various levels of government; and be it further

Resolved, That a Commission be appointed by the Governor to
make the study, with representation from the Senate of Maryland,
the House of Delegates, elected county officials, elected officials of
incorporated municipalities, and persons with expertise in State
and local government finance; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of this study along with any fiscal
implications should be reported to the Governor and the General
Assembly as promptly as feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the Governor
of Maryland, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
House of Delegates.

Approved May 5, 1972.