The Baltimore City Delegation refers to the delegates who are elected from districts in Baltimore to serve in the Maryland House of Delegates in the United States. By 1983, the Baltimore City Delegation had 27 members, 3 each from 9 districts totally within Baltimore City. At the beginning of the 2023 legislative session that number had dropped to 14 members due to a loss in population in Baltimore City. The chairman of the delegation is chosen via an open ballot by the members of the delegation and usually serves for four years. The delegation usually meets weekly during the regular session of the Maryland General Assembly in the Baltimore City Delegation Room of the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis. During the legislative interim, May through December, the delegation meets on an as needed basis.

Authority and responsibilities

The Baltimore City Delegation is responsible for representing the interests, needs and concerns of the City of Baltimore in the Maryland General Assembly. The first priority has been to ensure that sufficient state funds are granted to the city to support the funding of education and the construction and operation of public school facilities. Additionally, the delegation monitors state transportation trust funds allocated to the city for its transportation infrastructure. Every year, the Mayor of Baltimore provides of list of special projects that need to be funded through state loans (bonds); the Baltimore City Senate Delegation is responsible for passage of those projects in the General Assembly.

Maryland General Assembly legislative session actions

During the 90-day session of the 2007 Maryland General Assembly, members of the delegation received briefings from: The delegation also conducted hearings on more than 30 bills and voted favorably on the following: During the 2008 Legislative Session, the Baltimore City Delegation met for a total of 13 meetings, with the attendance of all Delegates between 90–95%. Throughout the 90-day Session, the Baltimore City Delegation heard from various major City agencies, which briefed the Delegation on the agencies’ 2008 Legislative Priorities. The Baltimore City Delegation, with the assistance of Delegation Counsel, Karen Morgan, heard the following bills, sponsored by the Baltimore City Administration: The Baltimore City Delegation also heard the following bills which would have either direct or indirect impact on Baltimore City: The last Baltimore City Delegation meeting of the 2008 Legislative Session was held on Friday April 11, 2008 with the Delegation returning an Unfavorable vote for the House Bills which would change the composition of the Baltimore City School Board Commissioners. For the 2009 Legislative Session, the Baltimore City Delegation met for a total of 10 meetings, with the attendance of all Delegates between 90–95%. Throughout the 90-day Session, the Baltimore City Delegation heard from various major City agencies, which briefed the Delegation on the agencies’ 2009 Legislative Priorities. The Baltimore City Delegation, with the assistance of Delegation Counsel, Sue McNamee, heard the following bills, sponsored by the Baltimore City Administration: The Baltimore City Delegation also heard the following bills which would have either direct or indirect impact on Baltimore City: The last Baltimore City Delegation meeting of the 2009 Legislative Session was held on Friday March 27, 2009, in which the Delegation was briefed on the City Administration's initiatives on decreasing weekly trash pickup and increasing weekly recycling pickup throughout the City.

History

Chairs of the Baltimore City Delegation (last 70 years)

Current members of the Baltimore City Delegation

Delegation subcommittees

During the first Baltimore City Delegation meeting of the 2007 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session, the Delegation was divided into 3 Sub-Committees, to provide closer insight on issues which would directly or indirectly affect Baltimore City:

Public Safety

Alcohol

Education