MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

The Appropriations Committee originated in 1692 as the Committee on Accounts. By the Revolutionary War era, it had become the Committee on Claims (upon the Treasury). The Claims Committee functioned from 1776 to 1968 when its responsibilities were shifted briefly to the Economic Matters Committee. In 1971, budgetary and other duties were assigned to the Appropriations Committee created in that year.

The Appropriations Committee reviews legislation relating to State operating and capital budgets, including supplementary appropriations; State and county bond authorizations; collective bargaining; higher education; State personnel and pension matters; Program Open Space; social services; and State and local government procedures and programs. Twenty-seven delegates serve on this committee.

In 1976, the Appropriations Committee worked through six subcommittees: Capital Budget; Data Processing Management; Government Operations; Human Relations Commission; Program Evaluation and Zero-Base Budgeting; and State Services. By 1982 five subcommittees functioned within the Committee: Capital Projects; Education and Human Resources; Health and the Environment; Law Enforcement and Transportation; and Pensions and Personnel. Presently, the Committee has five subcommittees: Capital Budget; Education and Economic Development; Health and Human Resources; Public Safety and Administration; and Transportation and the Environment. Since 1993, the Committee also has been aided by three oversight committees: Pensions; Personnel; and Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation.

CAPITAL BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE
The Capital Budget Subcommittee formed by 1976.

EDUCATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
The Education and Economic Development Subcommittee organized by 1982 as the Education and Human Resources Subcommittee. By 1992 it became the Education and Transportation Subcommittee and received its present name in 1995.

HEALTH & HUMAN RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE
The Health and Human Resources Subcommittee had its origins in the Health and the Environment Subcommittee, formed by 1980, and the Education and Human Resources Subcommittee, created by 1982. Functions of the latter two subcommittees were reorganized in 1995 to form the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee.

PUBLIC SAFETY & ADMINISTRATION SUBCOMMITTEE
In 1982, the Law Enforcement and Transportation Subcommittee was carrying out duties of the Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee. In 1992, it reorganized as the Human Resources and Public Safety Subcommittee. It reformed in 1995 under its present name.

TRANSPORTATION & THE ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
Functions of the Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee were evident by 1982 in the Law Enforcement and Transportation Subcommittee and the Health and the Environment Subcommittee. By 1992, they continued when two subcommittees were formed: Education and Transportation, and Health and the Environment. Certain functions of each merged in 1995 to form the subcommittee as now named.

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS
The Oversight Committee on Pensions was created as the Pensions and Personnel Subcommittee by 1982, and received its current name in 1993.

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON PERSONNEL
The Oversight Committee on Personnel was established first through the Pensions and Personnel Subcommittee by 1982. In 1993 the present committee formed.

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON PROGRAM OPEN SPACE & AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION
The Oversight Committee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation began in 1993.

Senate
House of Delegates
General Assembly
Legislative Committees
Legislative Process
Maryland Government
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us

© Copyright Maryland State Archives