Maryland Senate
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| Maryland Senate | |
|---|---|
| Name | Maryland Senate |
| Legislature | Maryland General Assembly |
| House type | Upper house |
| Body | Maryland General Assembly |
| Term limits | None |
| New session | January 11, 2023 |
| Leader1 type | President of the Senate |
| Leader1 | Bill Ferguson |
| Party1 | (D) |
| Election1 | January 8, 2020 |
| Leader2 type | President pro tempore |
| Leader2 | Malcolm Augustine |
| Party2 | (D) |
| Election2 | January 8, 2020 |
| Leader3 type | Majority Leader |
| Leader3 | Nancy J. King |
| Party3 | (D) |
| Election3 | January 8, 2020 |
| Leader4 type | Minority Leader |
| Leader4 | Stephen S. Hershey Jr. |
| Party4 | (R) |
| Election4 | January 11, 2023 |
| Members | 47 |
| Political groups1 | Majority (34), Democratic (34), Minority (13), Republican (13) |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Authority | Article III, Maryland Constitution |
| Salary | $50,330/year + per diem |
| Last election1 | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election1 | November 3, 2026 |
| Meeting place | Senate Chamber, Maryland State House, Annapolis, Maryland |
| Website | mgaleg.maryland.gov |
Maryland Senate. It is the upper chamber of the Maryland General Assembly, the state legislature for the U.S. state of Maryland. Composed of 47 senators elected from single-member districts, the body convenes in the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland. Alongside the Maryland House of Delegates, it holds the legislative power of the state as defined by the Constitution of Maryland.
History
The origins of the chamber trace back to the colonial General Assembly of Maryland established in 1632 under the proprietary rule of Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. Following the American Revolution, the first modern state constitution was adopted in 1776, formally creating the Senate. The chamber played a pivotal role during the American Civil War, with Maryland's divided loyalties reflected in its proceedings. Significant structural changes occurred through constitutional conventions, including the Maryland Constitution of 1851 and the Maryland Constitution of 1867, which shaped its modern form. Landmark sessions have addressed issues from the Chesapeake Bay cleanup to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland.
Membership and elections
Members must be U.S. citizens, Maryland residents for at least one year, and residents of their legislative district for at least six months prior to the election. Senators are elected to four-year terms, with elections held in even-numbered years coinciding with the gubernatorial election. The state utilizes a plurality voting system for general elections, with party nominees typically chosen in the primary elections. Following each United States census, district boundaries are redrawn by the Governor's Maryland Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission to comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and rulings from the Supreme Court of the United States.
Powers and duties
The chamber shares broad legislative powers with the Maryland House of Delegates, including the authority to introduce bills, enact the state budget, and levy taxes. It holds exclusive powers, such as confirming gubernatorial appointments to the Maryland Court of Appeals, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, and various executive agencies. The Senate also tries all impeachments made by the House of Delegates, with a two-thirds vote required for conviction. It must give advice and consent to appointments for the Maryland Secretary of State and members of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.
Leadership
The presiding officer is the President of the Senate, elected by the full membership, who is traditionally a member of the majority party. The current President is Bill Ferguson, a Democrat from Baltimore. Other key officers include the President pro tempore (Malcolm Augustine), the Majority Leader (Nancy J. King), and the Minority Leader (Stephen S. Hershey Jr.). The Lieutenant Governor, currently Aruna Miller, may preside but only casts a vote to break a tie. Day-to-day administrative functions are managed by the Secretary of the Senate.
Committees
The substantive work of reviewing legislation occurs in standing committees. Major committees include the Budget and Taxation Committee, the Judicial Proceedings Committee, and the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Other significant panels are the Finance Committee and the Executive Nominations Committee, which holds confirmation hearings. Each committee is chaired by a member of the majority party, with membership proportionally reflecting the chamber's partisan composition. Special investigative committees, like the one formed to review the Baltimore City Public Schools system, are occasionally established.
Current composition
Following the 2022 Maryland Senate election, the Democratic Party holds a supermajority of 34 seats. The Republican Party holds 13 seats. Notable members include Jill P. Carter, Antonio Hayes, and Katherine A. Klausmeier. The chamber is notably more diverse than in previous decades, with record numbers of women and members from communities such as Prince George's County and Montgomery County. The partisan breakdown grants the Democratic caucus significant influence over the legislative agenda and the confirmation process for appointees of Governor Wes Moore.
Category:Maryland Senate Category:State upper houses in the United States