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HOUSE OF DELEGATES

STANDING COMMITTEES

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS COMMITTEE

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In 1969, the Environmental Matters Committee was established. The House of Delegates, however, had formed earlier standing committees concerned with the environment. The Committee on Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries, for example, had functioned from 1872 to 1968. Created in 1947, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee also had continued until 1968, when the Natural Resources Committee briefly was established. In the following year, the Environmental Matters Committee assumed responsibilities of that committee.

The Environmental Matters Committee is assigned legislation relating to agriculture; bi-county agencies; environmental matters, including agricultural land preservation, program open space, and vehicle emissions; ethics; housing, landlord and tenant, and real property, including lead paint; local government; natural resources; and transportation (non-revenue related), including highways, bridges, mass transit, and motor vehicles.

This committee is composed of twenty-two delegates (House Rules 18; Code State Government Article, secs. 2-1103 through 2-1105).

SUBCOMMITTEES

By 1976, the Environmental Matters Committee used two subcommittees: Adequate Public Facilities, and Health and Mental Hygiene. By 1982, six subcommittees reviewed legislation: Crab Waste; Fire Safety; Health Boards Funding; Mosquito Control; Public Lands; and Public Service Commission Laws. Later, the Committee worked through three subcommittees: Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources; Health; and Public Utilities. From January 2003 to December 2005, seven subcommittees functioned: Agriculture, Agriculture Preservation, and Open Space; Environment; Housing and Real Property; Local Government and Bi-County Agencies; Motor Vehicles and Transportation; and Natural Resources and Ethics. In 2006, the Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee was added to aid the Committee's work, and the Natural Resources and Ethics Subcommittee was renamed the Natural Resources Committee.

WORK GROUPS

During the 2004 interim, some nine work groups functioned within the Environmental Matters Committee. They were concerned with Abatement of Drug-related Nuisances; Affordable Housing; Electronics Recycling; Highway and Speed Cameras; Housing for Individuals with Disabilities; Motor Vehicle Issues; Natural Resources; Public and Private Fundraising for the Chesapeake Bay; and Wetlands and Waterways Funding. All of these concluded their work in 2004.

During the 2007 Session, the Ground Rent Work Group met to review legislation dealing with ground rents.

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