![[photo, State House, Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/images/statehouse/1198-1-1073.jpg)
State House, Annapolis, Maryland, April 2005. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Maryland, on April 28, 1788, became the seventh state to ratify the federal Constitution.
Executive Branch
The Governor is the chief executive of the State. Elected by the voters to a four-year term, the Governor presides over the Governor's Executive Council. Known as the Cabinet, the Council includes the heads of the twenty departments which oversee most State government agencies. The Governor also oversees independent agencies, and frequently authorizes executive commissions and task forces to study and recommend solutions to particular matters of public concern.
Legislative Branch
The General Assembly, Maryland's bicameral legislature, consists of the Senate, led by the Senate President, and the House of Delegates, led by the House Speaker. As of January 11, 2012, the 47-member Senate has 35 Democrats (74%) and 12 Republicans (25%). As of the same date, the 141-member House of Delegates includes 98 Democrats (69.5%) and 43 Republicans (30.5%).
To enact laws, the General Assembly convenes annually on the second Wednesday in January for a 90-day session. The General Assembly convened its last regular legislative session from January 11 to April 9, 2012, convened in special session May 14-16, 2012, and will convene again in special session on August 9, 2012.
Judicial Branch
The Judiciary is headed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Four court divisions make up the Judicial Branch: the Court of Appeals, the Court of Special Appeals, the Circuit Courts, and the District Court of Maryland. In addition, each county orphans' court has responsibility for probate.
Within the Executive Branch, the Maryland Tax Court hears appeals on tax issues, and administrative law judges of the Office of Administrative Hearings review contested decisions in State administrative law cases.
Of the 50 states, Maryland is among those with the fewest number of local governments.
County Government. Local government is found in Maryland's 23 counties. For Maryland counties, three forms of government exist: county commissioners, code home rule, or charter.
Dorchester County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, Maryland, January 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
![[photo, Dorchester County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/do/images/1198-1-1694.jpg)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
County Commissioners. Under the county commissioners form of government, the General Assembly is authorized to legislate for the county. While a board of county commissioners exercises both executive and legislative functions defined by State law, and may enact ordinances, its legislative power is limited to those areas authorized by the General Assembly, enabling legislation, or public local laws (Code 1957, Art. 25). Eight counties operate in this fashion: Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary's, Somerset, and Washington.
Code Home Rule. Since 1915, counties have had the option of governing under code home rule, which enables them to exercise broad local legislative authority (Chapter 493, Acts of 1965, ratified Nov. 8, 1966; Const., Art. XI-F). Six counties have chosen to adopt code home rule government: Allegany (1974), Caroline (1984), Charles (2002), Kent (1970), Queen Anne's (1990), and Worcester (1976).
Charter.The charter government separates the executive branch from the legislative branch (Chapter 416, Acts of 1914, ratified Nov. 2, 1915; Const., Art. XI-A). Most typically, it consists of a county executive and a county council. Charter government covers nine Maryland counties: Anne Arundel (1964), Baltimore (1956), Dorchester (2002), Harford (1972), Howard (1968), Montgomery (1948), Prince George's (1970), Talbot (1973), and Wicomico (1964).
Municipal Government. Some 157 towns and cities (including Baltimore City) have their own governments. Created by State, county and municipal governments, special taxing districts exist in Montgomery County as well.
U.S. Congress. In the U.S. Senate, Maryland is represented by two senators. In the U.S. House of Representatives, eight representatives speak for Maryland.
U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC, March 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
![[photo, U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC]](/msa/mdmanual/39fed/images/1198-1-685.jpg)
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Maryland is represented in the U.S. Congress, and is part of the federal court system and other federal offices.
Federal Courts. Maryland is part of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and holds the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
? Copyright Maryland State Archives