History
When was the MGA founded?
1600s
What is the first step you must take to testify in person at the Maryland General Assembly?
Signing up on the MGA website
How many standing committees are there in total between the House and Senate?
13 Standing Committees
Who was the first African American to serve in the MGA?
Harry A. Cole
how many chambers does a bill go through before being passed?
two
How many districts does Maryland have?
47
When submitting written testimony, what is one way to ensure your statement stands out to lawmakers?
Making points concise, providing specific examples/evidence, clear topic
Does the MGA handle bills related to the budget?
Yes! The Senate manages the Budget and Taxation Committee.
Who is senate president?
Bill Ferguson
how many readings does each chamber conduct?
three
When does the MGA meet/begin the session?
The second Wednesday of January
When testifying in person, what is the standard time limit for most testimonies during a legislative hearing?
2-3 minutes
Which chamber (House or Senate) includes a Health and Government Operations Committee?
House
Who is the MGA House speaker?
Adrienne A. Jones
After the bill passes chamber where does it go, what are the exceptions to this step?
Bills go to the governor after being passed by both chambers, the exceptions to this step are budget bills and constitutional amendments.
The MGA has the power to override a governor’s veto with what fraction of votes in both houses?
3/4
In Maryland, how many hours before a hearing must written testimony be uploaded for it to be considered?
48 hours
Who had the biggest impact in advocating young women's rights in Maryland?
Mary Eliza Watters Risteau
What is the conference committee and what do they do?
The conference committee is made up of 3 members from each chamber to reach a settlement on the proposed legislation.
What act made the Maryland General Assembly one of the first legislative bodies in the world to enact a law protecting religious freedom?
Maryland Toleration Act
What is the maximum word count allowed for written testimony submitted to the Maryland General Assembly’s bill hearings?
500 words
Who created legislation to allow affordable housing in an effort to combat discrimination?
Jheanelle Wilkins
What happens after the first reading?
The bill is referred to the committee where testimony are received and action is taken.