cities and towns, although retaining its power to pass general State-
wide laws. The General Assembly may establish such departments of
the State government as are necessary for its efficient operation and
may establish special taxing districts or areas within the State for
the purpose of administering a special function or functions. The
General Assembly may establish such taxes as are in accordance with
the Constitution of the State and of the United States. It may pro-
pose amendments to the State Constitution, which must be embodied
in a regular legislative bill and passed by three-fifths of the total
membership of each House. All amendments to the Constitution must
be submitted to the voters at the next general election after their
passage.

All bills passed by the General Assembly become law when signed
by the Governor or passed over his veto by three-fifths of the member-
ship of each House, on the first day of June after the session in which
the law was passed; except, (1) when a later date is specified in the
act or (2) when the bill is declared an emergency measure and passed
by three-fifths of the total number of members of each house, in which
case the bill becomes law immediately upon its approval by the
Governor.

The General Assembly may add a referendum provision to any local
bill but may not submit a state-wide bill to referendum (with the
exception of a Soldiers' Bonus Bill). Any state-wide bill, except an
appropriation bill, and any local bill which concerns a county or
Baltimore City may be submitted to a referendum by petition. No bill
subject to a referendum shall be enforceable until approved by a
majority of the voters at the election in which the referred bill is
voted upon, except an emergency bill which shall be effective imme-
diately but shall remain effective thirty days following its rejection
by the voters (XVI).

The House of Delegates has sole power of impeachment of any
officer of the State. A bill of impeachment must be approved by a
majority of the whole number of members of the House. The Senate
tries all impeachment cases, and a verdict of guilty must be con-
curred in by two-thirds of the total number of Senators (III, 26),
The Senate has the additional power to confirm officers appointed by
the Governor as may be provided by the Constitution or by the act
creating such office.

The State Treasurer is elected by a joint ballot of both Houses
every fourth year. The General Assembly also elects the Gov-
ernor in case of a tie or ineligibility of the winning candidate; and
should the office become vacant while it is in session, then the Gen-
eral Assembly shall elect a successor; otherwise, the President of
the Senate succeeds to the office until the next regular session.

Appropriations 1955 1956
General Fund ..................................$689,165 $462,000
Staff: 23

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN: Louis L. Goldstein, President of the Senate

VICE CHAIRMAN: John C. Luber, Speaker of the House of
Delegates

MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE:

Ex-officio Members: John Grason Turnbull, Chairman,
Finance Committee; Frederick C. Malkus, Chairman, Com-