sources Committee briefly was established. In the
following year, the Environmental Matters Com-
mittee assumed responsibilities of that committee.
The Environmental Matters Committee is as-
signed legislation relating to agriculture; Chesapeake
Bay matters; energy; environmental matters, includ-
ing vehicle emissions; health policy and planning,
including related occupations and professions; health
care facilities; land use planning and zoning; natural
resources; and utility regulation. This committee is
composed of twenty-two delegates.
In 1995, the Environmental Matters Commit-
tee created two subcommittees: Environmental and
Natural Resources; and Health and Public Utilities.

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Joseph F. Vallario, Jr., Chair
Ann Marie Doory, Vice-Chair

Lowe House Office Building, Room 121
6 Governor Bladen Blvd.
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3488

Origins of the Judiciary Committee trace first to
the Committee on Aggrievances, which began in
1692, and then to the Committee on Aggrievances
and Courts of Justice which was functioning by
1722 in the Lower House of the General Assembly.
By 1751, the Committee was styled the Committee
on Grievances and Courts of Justice. Under that
name, the Committee continued until 1852. Some
of the Committee's legislative concerns had been
assumed in 1828 by the Crimes and Punishments
Committee, a standing committee established that
year. Responsibilities of both these committees
were assigned to the new Judiciary Committee in
1852, when the House of Delegates established the
Standing Committee on Judiciary. At its first legis-
lative session following ratification of the Constitu-
tion of 1851, the House formed the Committee to
consider laws relating to a court system, newly
altered by Maryland's second constitution.

Today, the Committee still considers legislation
relating to judicial administration and court structure.
It also is concerned with administrative law; correc-
tions; criminal and civil laws, penalties, immunities,
and procedures; drunk and drugged driving and cer-
tain motor vehicle offenses; estates and trusts; family
law; juvenile justice; and the legal profession. Twenty-
two delegates serve on this committee.
The Judiciary Committee organized into four
subcommittees in 1995: Civil Law and Procedure;
Criminal Justice; Family and Juvenile Law; and
Gaming Law and Regulation.

RULES & EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS
COMMITTEE
Hattie N. Harrison, Chair
Rose Mary Hatem Bonsack, Vice-Chair

Lowe House Office Building, Room 406
6 Governor Bladen Blvd.
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3923

In November 1795, the House of Delegates
established a committee "to report such rules as are
proper to be observed during this session." The
Committee came to be known as the Rules Com-
mittee. In 1966, it was renamed the Rules and
Organization Committee and, in 1968, reorgan-
ized as the Rules, Organization, and Executive
Nominations Committee. The Committee re-
ceived its present name in 1969.
The Rules and Executive Nominations Commit-
tee considers proposals concerning the rules, organi-
zation, and procedures of the House and the General
Assembly. The Committee reviews legislation intro-
duced after the bill deadline, and decides on re-referral
of those bills to other standing committees for con-
sideration. In addition, the Committee examines gu-
bernatorial nominations requiring House
confirmation and reports its recommendations.
Twenty-four delegates serve on this committee.

WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE
Sheila E. Hixson, Chair
James C. Rosapepe, Vice-Chair

Lowe House Office Building, Room 111
6 Governor Bladen Blvd.
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3469

A predecessor of the Ways and Means Commit-
tee appeared in the House of Delegates in 1791.
Named the Committee on Public Revenues, Debts
and Expenditures, and Ways and Means, it appar-
ently was formed as a special committee for that
legislative session only. As a standing committee,
the Ways and Means Committee began in 1818.
The Ways and Means Committee is responsible
for legislation relating to State and local taxation
matters, including assessments and tax credit pro-
grams; education financing; primary and secondary
education; funding of health, welfare and transpor-
tation programs; and the lottery and horse racing.
The Committee consists of twenty-three delegates.
Under the Committee, five subcommittees were
started in 1994: Education; Finance Resources;
Housing and Social Issues; Taxes and Revenues;
and Transportation. Formed in 1995, the Vice-
Chair's Subcommittee consists of the chairs of the
subcommittees.