ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

A predecessor of the Ways and Means Committee appeared in the House of Delegates in 1791. Named the Committee on Public Revenues, Debts and Expenditures, and Ways and Means, it apparently 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 children and youth; education, including primary and secondary education, community colleges, and scholarships and financial aid; election law; gaming and horseracing; taxes; and transportation funding and revenues. The Committee consists of twenty-three delegates.

SUBCOMMITTEES

Under the Ways and Means Committee, three subcommittees functioned by 1976: Assessment Practices; Special Education; and Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). By 1982, subcommittees had reorganized as Education; Farmland Assessments; and Enterprise Zones. Five subcommittees started in 1994: Education; Finance Resources; Housing and Social Issues; Taxes and Revenues; and Transportation. Effective 1999, five subcommittees reviewed legislation: Children and Youth; Education; Finance Resources; Tax and Revenue; and Transportation. The Election Law Subcommittee was added in 2003. In 2007, the Children and Youth Subcommittee was discontinued.

EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE
The Education Subcommittee was functioning by 1982.

ELECTION LAW SUBCOMMITTEE
In 2003, the Election Law Subcommittee began its work.

FINANCE RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE
In 1994, the Finance Resources Subcommittee began.

REVENUES SUBCOMMITTEE
The Revenues Subcommittee organized in 1994 as the Tax and Revenues Subcommittee. It was renamed the Revenues Subcommittee in 2007.

TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE
In 1994, the Transportation Subcommittee formed.

VICE-CHAIR'S SUBCOMMITTEE
Formed in 1995, the Vice-Chair's Subcommittee includes the chairs of the subcommittees and other members.

Senate
House of Delegates
General Assembly
Legislative Committees
Legislative Process
Maryland Government
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance