• What is a Delegate?
• What is a General Assembly Session?
• When is the General Assembly Session?
• How long are the terms?
• What are the responsibilities of a Delegate?
• Where is the 22nd District?
• What are Justin's legislative priorities?
• What has Justin accomplished as a Delegate?
• Can Justin assist me if I have a matter I need help with?
• How can I contact Justin?
• Is there a way for Justin to stay in contact with me?

The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the state of Maryland. There are 141 Delegates representing 47 Districts with three Delegates representing each District. The House of Delegates, along with the upper House of the General Assembly, the Maryland Senate, meet in Annapolis.

back to top The General Assembly Session is 90 days long and is the only time during the year when Maryland legislators can make laws and pass the budget unless called into a rare Special Session. It is during a General Assembly Session that legislators introduce legislation in the form of bills, hold committee hearings on those bills and then vote on them on the floor of the two houses; the Senate and the House of Delegates. Bills that pass both houses are then either signed by the Governor or vetoed.

back to top The Legislative Session in Maryland starts on the 2nd Wednesday in January and lasts for 90 days. All legislation that is not passed by both houses by the 90th day dies at Sine Die. Sine Die refers to the midnight on the last day of the legislative session. In case you are curious, the General Assembly meets during this 90-day period because it is not during the farming season in Maryland. Occasionally, however, for matters of grave importance, the General Assembly can meet in a Special Session. A Special Session last occurred in 2007 to handle the state's dire fiscal situation.

back to top Delegates, along with Senators and the Governor, serve four year terms. All members of the General Assembly, Delegates and Senators, as well as the Governor, are elected in the same election. Each legislative district (Justin represents the 22nd District) elects one Senator and three Delegates. The last election was in 2006 and the next will be held in 2010. Justin was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2002.

back to top Delegates first and foremost represent their constituents (the people who live in an elected officials' district) in Annapolis. Delegates and Senators pass state laws in Maryland. This can cover matters such as the penalties for committing a particular crime, regulations governing pollution as well as how much you pay in taxes. In addition, Delegates and Senators approve the state's budget. This dictates how much the state spends on matters such as public education, public health and funding for the Maryland Defense Forces.

back to top The 22nd District is located in northern Prince George's County. The municipalities of Berwyn Heights, Edmonston Greenbelt, Hyattsville, New Carrollton, Riverdale Park, University Park are located in the 22nd District, as well as the unincorporated areas of Lewisdale, Glenn Dale and Lanham.

For more information on the 22nd District, please click here.


back to top Justin is focused on making sure that everyone in his District, and Prince George's County, receive the basic guarantees that are the responsibility of the state of Maryland. This includes access to a quality public education, access to affordable higher education, and neighborhoods and communities that are safe for their residents. In addition, Justin works hard to make sure that the needs and concerns of every one of his constituents are heard by their elected officials and are acted upon.

For more information on Justin's legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session, please click here.

back to top Justin has passed over a dozen piece of legislation during his tenure as a Delegate. This legislation has included a law that raises millions of dollars for our area police departments, a law that closed Prince George's County liquor stores hours earlier, as well as several other laws that have cracked down on strip clubs and expanding voting rights.

For more information on the legislation that Justin has passed, please click here.

back to top Justin takes pride in his ability to assist his constituents with any matter that needs attention and will do whatever he can to assist you. Please visit this page to let Justin know how we can help or contact Justin's office.

back to top Contact Justin by using the postal mail, telephone, or e-mail information on our Contact Us page.

back to top Yes. Justin sends our periodic Ross Reports which include information on the legislative session, important events in the community, as well as updates on matters of interest to the 22nd District. The Ross Report is sent out electronically via email. To sign up for the Ross Report, fill out the form in the gray box on the right side of this page.

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