The Maryland General Assembly operates as the bi-cameral legislative branch of the Maryland State Government. It consists of the state Senate & the House of Delegates, which combine to make up the elected officials from each of the state's 47 legislative districts. There are three Delegates and one Senator per legislative district for a total of 141 Delegates and 47 Senators. Both houses of the General Assembly are responsible for introducing and passing all bills relating to state affairs.

Legislators are assigned to committees which oversee the passing of bills relating to their specific area of focus. Joint committees serve a similar purpose, but consist of members from both houses. The General Assembly meets annually beginning on the second Wednesday of January for a 90-day session.


How the General Assembly works:
The General Assembly passes laws through a series of procedures. This process includes the introduction and passing of bills, beginning with the first reading of the bill and culminating with the signing of the bill into law by the Governor.

Step 1) Introduction of Bill by a Delegate or Senator
Step 2) Bill is assigned to the appropriate committee where it is discussed and voted upon
Step 3) Bill goes to a Floor Vote of the entire chamber
Step 4) If passed, the Bill moves to the opposite chamber where it repeats steps 1-3
Step 5) The Bill is then submitted to the Governor for his signature or veto.

The Maryland House of Delegates consists of committees designed to address all bills covered under their specific corresponding issues, also utilizing sub-committees to tackle additional issues in further detail. These committees include Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environmental Matters, Health & Government Operations, Judiciary, and Ways & Means. Each committee is headed by a chairman responsible for the day-to-day activities, as well as deciding upon which bills will be heard before the committee.

Ways and Means Committee
Sitting Member
Delegate Ross has been a member of the Ways and Means Committee since he began his first term in the House of Delegates in 2003. The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for legislation relating to children, youth, and families, education financing, including primary and secondary education, community colleges, and scholarships and financial aid. In addition, Ways and Means covers all areas of election law; gaming and horseracing, state and local taxation issues and transportation funding and revenues.

Prince George's County Delegation - County Affairs
Chairman
Delegate Justin Ross also serves a chairman of the County Affairs committee of the Prince George's County Delegation. The County Affairs committee has oversight over non-law enforcement issues within Prince George's County such as tax, election, and public education issues.