Maryland House of Delegates
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	January 8, 2025
Session end:	April 7, 2025
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$54,437/year + per diem
Members
Total:	141
Democrats:	102
Republicans:	38
Other:	0
Vacancies:	1
Leadership
Speaker:	Adrienne Jones (D)
Maj. Leader:	David Moon (D)
Min. Leader:	Jason Buckel (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 8, 2022
Next election:	November 3, 2026

TheMaryland House of Delegates is thelower chamber of theMaryland General Assembly. Alongside theMaryland State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Maryland state government and works alongside thegovernor of Maryland to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Maryland House of Delegates include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Maryland House of Delegates meets in the State House inAnnapolis, Maryland.

This page contains the following information on the Maryland House of Delegates.

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Maryland House of Delegates as of November 2025:

Members

Leadership

The speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body and is elected by the membership. The speaker pro tempore is also elected by the House, while the majority leader is appointed by the speaker and the minority leader is elected by the minority party.^[1]

Leadership and members

• House speaker:Adrienne Jones (D)
• Majority leader:David Moon (D)
• Minority leader:Jason Buckel (R)

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.^[3]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

Section 9 of Article 3 of theMaryland Constitution states, "A person is eligible to serve as a Senator or Delegate, who on the date of the person's election, (1) is a citizen of the State of Maryland, (2) has resided therein for at least one year next preceding that date, and (3) if the district that the person has been chosen to represent has been established for at least six months prior to the date of the person's election, has resided in that district for six months next preceding that date and, beginning January 1, 2024, has maintained a primary place of abode in that district for six months next preceding that date.

If the district that the person has been chosen to represent has been established less than six months prior to the date of the person's election, then in addition to (1) and (2) above, the person shall have resided in the district for as long as it has been established and, beginning January 1, 2024, shall have maintained a primary place of abode in the district for as long as it has been established.

A person is eligible to serve as a Senator, if the person has attained the age of twenty-five years, or as a Delegate, if the person has attained the age of twenty-one years, on the date of the person's election."^[4]

Section 12 of Article I of theMaryland Constitution states, [A] person is ineligible to enter upon the duties of, or to continue to serve in, an elective office created by or pursuant to the provisions of this Constitution if the person was not a registered voter in this State on the date of the person's election or appointment to that term or if, at any time thereafter and prior to completion of the term, the person ceases to be a registered voter."^[4]

Historical party control

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.

Trifecta history

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Maryland was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1992-2002, 2007-2014, 2023
• Republican trifecta: None
• Divided government: 2003-2006, 2015-2022

Elections

Elections by year

Maryland state delegates servefour-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Maryland holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also:Maryland House of Delegates elections, 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 is February 24, 2026.

2022

See also:Maryland House of Delegates elections, 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.

In the 2022 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Maryland House of Delegates from 99-42 to 102-39.

2018

See also:Maryland House of Delegates elections, 2018

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^[5]

In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Maryland House of Delegates from 91-50 to 99-42.

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in theMaryland General Assembly, thegovernor is responsible for appointing a replacement.^[9]

The governor makes an appointment based on the recommendations of the political party committee that holds the vacant seat. The political party committee has up to 30 days after the vacancy to submit a list of recommended candidates to the governor. If the party committee fails to act by the 30-day deadline, or if the former officeholder was not affiliated with any party, the governor has 15 days to appoint a person from the political party that last held the seat.^[10]

The person appointed to the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.^[11]

See sources:Maryland Const. Art. 3, Sec. 13

District map

See also:Maryland state legislative districts

The state of Maryland has 47 legislative districts. Delegates are elected from the same legislative districts as are members of the Maryland State Senate. Each district elects three delegates but only one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

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.^[12]

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.^[12]

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 strictly along party lines.^{[13][14][15][16]}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.^[17] 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.^[18] Baltimore lost population relative to other areas of the state.^[19]

The Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee released a proposed map of new legislative districts on December 16, 2011. GovernorMartin O'Malley (D) formally presented the new map to the Maryland General Assembly on January 11, 2012. Legislators had 45 days to approve the plan or pass an alternative map, if they did not pass an alternative plan O'Malley's proposal would automatically become law after the deadline.^[20][21] Members of the House produced five alternative plans but none of them were scheduled for committee hearings. No alternative plans were presented in the Senate, and O'Malley's plan became law on February 24, 2012, after the House and Senate declined to vote on it.^[22]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Maryland House of Delegates has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Maryland by year

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.[23] 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.[24] 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.[25] 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.[26] 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.[27] A special redistricting session was held from October 17 to October 20.[28][29] 2010 In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 13 to April 10.[30]

About legislative sessions in Maryland

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[31] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article III of the Maryland Constitution establishes when theMaryland General Assembly, of which the House of Delegates is a part, 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.^[32]

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget,procedures for filling membership vacancies, andredistricting.

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.

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:^[35]

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.^{[35][36][37][38]}

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to adopt a balanced budget.^[35]

Committees

See also:List of committees in Maryland state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Maryland House of Delegates has seven 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 House of Delegates elections, 2022 Maryland House of Delegates elections, 2018 Maryland House of Delegates elections, 2014	Maryland General Assembly Maryland State Senate Governor of Maryland Maryland Supreme Court	State legislative elections: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

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