Maryland General Assembly
General information
Type:	State legislature
Term limits:	None
Session start:	January 14, 2026
Website:	Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:	William Ferguson IV (D)
House Speaker:	Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D)
Majority Leader:	Senate:Nancy King (D) House:David Moon (D)
Minority Leader:	Senate:Stephen Hershey Jr. (R) House:Jason Buckel (R)
Structure
Members:	47 (Senate), 141 (House)
Length of term:	4 years (Senate),4 years (House)
Authority:	Art III, Maryland Constitution
Salary:	$55,526/year + per diem
Elections
Last election:	November 8, 2022
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Redistricting:	Maryland General Assembly has control

TheMaryland General Assembly is thestate legislature ofMaryland. It is abicameral body. The upper house, theMaryland State Senate, has 47 members and thelower house, theMaryland House of Delegates, has 141 members. The General Assembly meets each year for 90 days to act on more than 2,300 bills including the State's annual budget, which it must pass before adjourning. Like the Governor of Maryland, members of both houses serve four-year terms. Each house elects its own officers, judges the qualifications and election of its own members, establishes rules for the conduct of its business, and may punish or expel its own members.

The Maryland General Assembly convenes within the State House in Annapolis.

Maryland has a Democratictrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also:Maryland House of Delegates,Maryland State Senate,Maryland Governor

Senate

TheMaryland State Senate is theupper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of Maryland. It is composed of 47 senators elected from single-member districts. Maryland was required to use 2010 Census adjusted population numbers for redistricting, pursuant to the "No Representation Without Population Act" (SB 400/HB 496) signed into law in 2010. Generally, the law requires that the census data must be adjusted to reassign Maryland residents in state and federal correctional institutions to their last known address and to exclude out-of-state residents in correctional institutions for the purposes of creating congressional, state legislative, and local districting plans.

As of the 2020 Census, Maryland state senators represented an average of131,602 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented123,190 residents.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Maryland State Senate in 1900. In2022, they won a 34-13 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Maryland Senate following every general election from 1990 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

House of Delegates

TheMaryland House of Delegates is thelower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 delegates elected from 47 districts. Maryland was required to use 2010 Census adjusted population figures for Maryland Redistricting, pursuant to the "No Representation Without Population Act" (SB 400\HB 496) signed into Maryland law in 2010. Generally, the law requires that the census data must be adjusted to reassign Maryland residents in state and federal correctional institutions to their last known address, and to exclude out-of-state residents in correctional institutions for the purposes of creating congressional, state legislative and local districting plans.

As of the 2020 Census, Maryland state representatives represented an average of43,867 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented41,063 residents.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Maryland House of Delegates in 1920. In2022, they won a 102-39 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Maryland House following every general election from 1990 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Elections

2026

See also:Maryland State Senate elections, 2026 andMaryland House of Delegates elections, 2026

Elections for theMaryland State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 23, 2026. The filing deadline isFebruary 24, 2026.

Elections for theMaryland House of Delegates will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 23, 2026. The filing deadline isFebruary 24, 2026.

2022

See also:Maryland State Senate elections, 2022 andMaryland House of Delegates elections, 2022

Elections for theMaryland State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for July 19, 2022. The filing deadline was April 15, 2022.

Elections for theMaryland House of Delegates took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for July 19, 2022. The filing deadline was April 15, 2022.

2018

See also:Maryland State Senate elections, 2018 andMaryland House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theMaryland State Senate took place in 2018. Theclosed primary election took place on June 26, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasFebruary 27, 2018. The filing deadline for third party and independent candidates was August 6, 2018.^[1]

Elections for theMaryland House of Delegates took place in 2018. Theclosed primary election took place on June 26, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasFebruary 27, 2018. The filing deadline for third party and independent candidates was August 6, 2018^[2]

2014

See also:Maryland State Senate elections, 2014 andMaryland House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for theMaryland State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thefiling deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 25, 2014.

Elections for theMaryland House of Delegates took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thefiling deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 25, 2014.

2010

See also:Maryland State Senate elections, 2010 andMaryland House of Delegates elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Maryland State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 6, 2010.

Elections for the office of Maryland House of Delegates took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 6, 2010.

Sessions

Article III of the Maryland Constitution establishes when the General Assembly is to be in session. Section 14 of Article III states that the General Assembly is to convene in regular session every year on the second Wednesday of January.

Section 14 also contains the procedures for convening extraordinary sessions of the General Assembly. If a majority of the members of each legislative house petition theGovernor of Maryland with a request for an extraordinary session, the Governor is constitutionally required to proclaim an extraordinary session.

Article II of the Maryland Constitution also gives theGovernor of Maryland the power to proclaim an extraordinary session without the request of the General Assembly.

Sessions last for 90 continuous days but can be extended for up to 30 days by vote of the legislature.^[3]

2025

See also:2025 Maryland legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2025, and adjourn on April 7, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Maryland legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2024, and adjourn on April 8, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Maryland legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2023, and adjourn on April 10, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Maryland legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2022, and adjourn on April 11, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Maryland legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2021, and adjourn on April 12, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Maryland legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2020, and adjourn on March 18, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. TheMaryland State Legislature adjourned its session early, effective March 18, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[4] 2019 See also:2019 Maryland legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through April 8, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Maryland legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2018, through April 9, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 11, 2017, through April 10, 2017. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 13 through April 11. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 14 through April 13. Major issues in 2015 Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the state budget shortfall, expanding charter schools, marijuana decriminalization, fracking, and heroin overdoses.[5] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 8 to April 7. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included addressing the state's minimum wage, emergency health insurance, marijuana legalization, and tax relief.[6] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 9 to April 8. Major issues in 2013 Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included an assault weapons ban, boosting the state's wind power industry, transportation funding, and repeal of the death penalty.[7] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 11 through April 19. 2011 In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 12 through April 8.[8] A special redistricting session was held from October 17 to October 20.[9][10] 2010 In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 13 to April 10.[11]

Role in state budget

See also:Maryland state budget and finances

Marylandon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[12]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inJune of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor betweenAugust and October.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature on thethird Wednesday in January.
4. The legislature typically adopts a budget by the83rd day of the session. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year beginsJuly 1.

Maryland is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^{[12][13][14][15]}

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to adopt a balanced budget.^[12]

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Maryland

In Maryland, the primary authority to adopt both congressional and state legislative district lines rests with the state legislature. Thegovernor submits a state legislative redistricting proposal (an advisory commission appointed by the governor assists in drafting this proposal). The state legislature may pass its own plan by joint resolution, which is not subject to gubernatorial veto. If the legislature fails to approve its own plan, the governor's plan takes effect. Congressional lines are adopted solely by the legislature and may be vetoed by the governor.^[16]

TheMaryland Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous, compact, and "give 'due regard' for political boundaries and natural features." No such requirements apply to congressional districts.^[16]

2020

See also:Redistricting in Maryland after the 2020 census

Maryland adopted legislative maps on January 27, 2022, when theMaryland House of Delegates approved new legislative district boundaries that had been approved on January 20, 2022, by theMaryland State Senate. The vote in the state Senate was 32-14 and in the House of Delegates was 95-42, both along party lines.^{[17][18][19][20]} Since legislative maps are not subject to gubernatorial veto, the maps were therefore enacted.

2010

See also:Redistricting in Maryland after the 2010 census

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maryland's population grew from 5.30 million to 5.77 million between 2000 and 2010.^[21] The growth rate was slightly below the national average, but was one of the fastest rates in the Northeast. Maryland retained all eight Congressional districts, but population shifts suggested that many districts would need to be redrawn.^[22] Baltimore lost population relative to other areas of the state.^[23]

Gov.Martin O'Malley introduced a state legislative plan on January 11, 2012. Members of the legislature produced alternative plans, but no hearings were scheduled. O'Malley's map became law in February 2012 without a vote.^[24] The map-making process had been criticized for the inclusion of someone who had committed tax evasion on the Redistricting Advisory Committee, but O'Malley noted that the financial troubles of this member were not made known to him or the public until later in the process, and this individual was removed from the process after that point.^[25]

The Congressional district map was challenged by petitioners, but a drive to place the matter before voters failed after many of the signatures gathered were voided in a legal decision.^[26][27]

Legislators

Leadership

The Senate is led by a president and the House by a speaker whose respective duties and prerogatives enable them to influence the legislative process significantly. The president and the speaker appoint the members of most committees and name their chairs and vice-chairs, except in the case of the Joint Committee on Investigation whose members elect their own officers. The president and speaker preside over the daily sessions of their respective chambers, maintaining decorum and deciding points of order. As legislation is introduced, they assign it to a standing committee for consideration and a public hearing. In the Senate, the president pro tempore appoints majority and minority whips and leaders.^[28]

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Maryland legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January after the election.^[30]

District maps

State Senate

State House

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Maryland are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Three-fifths of members in both chambers.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority:Article II, Section 17 of theMaryland Constitution.

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, Maryland

Partisan breakdown of the Maryland legislature from 1992-2013

Maryland State Senate:During every year from 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Maryland State Senate. The Maryland State Senate is one of 16 state Senates that were Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992 and 2013. Maryland was under a Democratictrifecta for the last seven years of the study period.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state Senates from 1992 to 2013.

Maryland House of Delegates:During every year from 1992 to 2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Maryland State House of Representatives. The Maryland House of Delegates is one of 18 state Houses that were Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Maryland was under a Democratic trifecta for the last seven years of the study period.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican state Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Maryland, theMaryland State Senate and theMaryland House of Delegates from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Maryland state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Maryland experienced two long periods of Democratic trifectas, between 1992 and 2002 and again between 2007 and 2013. The state cracked the top-10 in the SQLI ranking in three separate years (2002, 2006, and 2008), twice under a Democratic trifecta and once under divided government. Maryland ranked lowest on the SQLI ranking in two separate years (1992 and 1995), in which the state placed 25th under a Democratic trifecta. Maryland has never had a Republican trifecta.

• SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 16.35
• SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
• SQLI average with divided government: 10.75

Chart displaying the partisanship of Maryland government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

Joint committees

See also:Public policy in Maryland

The Maryland General Assembly has eighteen (18) standing committees.

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Maryland Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Maryland

Article XIV of theMaryland Constitution defines two ways to amend the state constitution—through a legislative process and a state constitutional convention.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for theMaryland State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 85 votes in theMaryland House of Delegates and 29 votes in theMaryland State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According toSection 2 of Article XIV of theMaryland Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is toautomatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1970. Maryland is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:

See also

Elections	Maryland State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Maryland elections, 2026 Maryland elections, 2022 Maryland elections, 2018 Maryland elections, 2014	Maryland House of Delegates Maryland State Senate Governor of Maryland Maryland Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2026,2025,2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Maryland General Assembly
• Maryland Manual On-Line - General Assembly
• Article III of the Maryland Constitution (Legislative Department)

Footnotes

	v • e State ofMaryland Annapolis (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2026 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures
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