Under Maryland's first constitution of 1776, the Governor was chosen annually by joint ballot of both houses of the General Assembly. At that time, ". . . if the person chosen governor shall die, resign, remove out of the State, or refuse to act (sitting the general assembly), the senate and house of delegates shall immediately thereupon proceed to a new choice . . ." (Const. 1776, sec. 25).
State House, Annapolis, Maryland, January 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Elected by popular vote for a term of four years, the Governor takes office on the third Wednesday of January following election. No person may serve as Governor for more than two consecutive terms.
To be eligible for the office of Governor, a person must be at least thirty years of age and must have been a resident and registered voter of the State for five years immediately preceding election (Const., Art. II, secs. 1, 3, 5, 8, 21, 21A).
Interior, main floor, State House, Annapolis, Maryland, May 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
To each annual session of the General Assembly, the Governor must submit a budget of government for the following fiscal year. The Governor also may inform the General Assembly at any time of the condition of the State (Const., Art. II, sec. 19; Art. III, sec. 52(3)). Most commonly, this occurs through the Governor's State of the State Address at the beginning of a regular legislative session in January or February.
State House (from School St.), Annapolis, Maryland, November 1999. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Governor is commander-in-chief of the military forces of the State - the National Guard - except when such forces are called into national service. If the National Guard is called, the Governor may establish a State Guard (Const., Art. II, sec. 8).
The Governor appoints all military and civil officers of the State subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, except when the election or appointment of such officers otherwise is provided for. In addition to appointing the heads of major departments, boards, and commissions of the State government, the Governor appoints certain boards and commissions in each county and the City of Baltimore, as provided for by law. The Governor also commissions notaries public and appoints persons to fill vacancies in the offices of Attorney General, Comptroller, and seats in the General Assembly. Any officer appointed by the Governor, except a member of the General Assembly, is removable by him for cause.
Government House, Annapolis, Maryland, May 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
By virtue of his office, the Governor serves on certain boards and commissions. The Governor chairs the Board of Public Works, the Governor's Executive Council (Cabinet), the P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland, and the State House Trust. The Governor also serves on the Commission to Review Maryland's Use of Assessments and Testing in Public Schools; the State Commission on the Capital City; the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Baltimore City; the Board of Trustees, Maryland Environmental Trust; the Rural Maryland Council; the Maryland Veterans Home Commission; and the Governor's Workforce Development Board. In addition, the Governor is a member of several interstate boards: the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Leadership Council; the Appalachian Regional Commission; the Chesapeake Executive Council; the Education Commission of the States; the Interstate Mining Compact Commission; the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean; the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission; the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin; the Southern Regional Education Board; the Southern States Energy Board; and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.
Under the Chief of Staff, the Governor named three Senior Advisors in 2015 to assist the Governor's Office.
Interior of dome, State House, Annapolis, Maryland, May 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, four Deputy Chiefs of Staff are responsible for the functions of government carried out by other government agencies.
One deputy chief of staff is responsible for oversight of the Board of Public Works, and four departments: Housing and Community Development, State Police, Public Safety and Correctional Services, and Transportation; the Governor's offices of Business Ombudsman, and Federal Relations; and State agencies, including Maryland Emergency Management Agency, Military Department, Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, and Maryland Stadium Authority.
A second deputy chief of staff oversees the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and five departments: Agriculture; Environment; Information Technology; Natural Resources; and Planning; as well as State Department of Assessments and Taxation; Maryland Energy Administration, Maryland Environmental Service, Maryland Insurance Administration; State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, and Public Service Commission.
The third deputy chief of staff oversees eight departments: Aging; Disabilities; Education; General Services; Health; Human Services; Juvenile Services; and Veterans Affairs; as well as Office of Secretary of State; Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems; and Maryland Higher Education Commission.
The fourth deputy chief of staff is responsible for Governor's Coordinating Offices; Department of Commerce; Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation; and University of Maryland System.
All civil and military officers of the State, whose appointment or election is not otherwise provided for by the Constitution or by law, are nominated and appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent (Const., Art. II, secs. 10-14). The Appointments Office assists the Governor in this process.
OFFICE OF THE BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN
The Office of the Business Ombudsman resolves problems that businesses face when interacting with State agencies. The Office ensures that State government is responsive to the needs of business, and serves as a central clearinghouse of information for business services and information. Further, the Office refers individuals and businesses to the appropriate resources in State government; provides comprehensive permit information and assistance; and apprises the Governor and General Assembly of problems encountered by businesses doing business with State agencies.
A list of business assistance programs and services in the State is maintained by the Office, which also implements a business fairness and responsiveness service; develops and maintains a program that provides comprehensive information on permits; and establishes procedures to assist permit applicants experiencing difficulties.
Administered by the Office of the Business Ombudsman, the State Customer Service and Business Development Efforts Training Program seeks to improve and increase the responsiveness of customer services provided by State agencies to businesses and the public. State customer service standards that identify best practices for providing excellent customer services are developed by the Office. Five State agencies participate in the Program, providing customer service training for each employee who regularly interacts with businesses and the public. These agencies are the Department of Commerce; the Department of the Environment; the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation; the State Highway Administration of the Department of Transportation; and the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL
To the Governor, Lt. Governor, the First Lady, and their staffs, the Office provides legal advice. The Office also coordinates matters related to the Governor's clemency and extradition powers, such as pardon, parole, and commutation of sentences.
Responsible for many functions, the Chief Legal Counsel heads the Office and serves as senior legal advisor and criminal justice advisor to the Office of the Governor. The Chief Legal Counsel also helps develop and advance the Administration's legislative package, and monitors important State litigation. Moreover, the Chief Legal Counsel reviews Executive Orders, negotiates memoranda of understanding, assists the Governor in the appointment of judges, and serves as liaison to the Judiciary, the Office of the Attorney General, and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.
LEGISLATIVE OFFICE
GOVERNOR'S MILITARY STAFF
The Governor may choose a military staff consisting of the Adjutant General and not more than twelve aides selected from the commissioned officers of the Maryland National Guard and naval militia. The Governor's military staff directs the functions of the Military Department (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 13-301 through 13-306).
PRESS OFFICE
The Press Office assists the Governor with communications to the public and the media, and with speechwriting and research.
OFFICE OF TRANSFORMATION & RENEWAL
Throughout State Government, the Office works to improve efficiency and customer service while adhering to greater accountability and performance standards.
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CHIEF OF STAFF
The Office of the Governor is organized under the Chief of Staff. Appointed by the Governor, the Chief of Staff is responsible for the functioning of the Office of the Governor. Further, the Chief of Staff has specific oversight of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and the Department of Budget and Management.
DEPUTY CHIEFS OF STAFF
EXECUTIVE SERVICES
Executive Services is responsible for Correspondence and Constituent Services, and Executive Support Services.
APPOINTMENTS OFFICE
The Appointments Office formally organized by 1967 within the Office of the Governor.
In October 2014, the Office of the Business Ombudsman was established within the Office of the Governor (Chapter 641, Acts of 2014).
STATE CUSTOMER SERVICE & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS TRAINING PROGRAM
In October 2015, the State Customer Service and Business Development Efforts Training Program was created (Chapter 138, Acts of 2015).
The Office of Legal Counsel originated in 1990 as Legal, Labor, and Special Issues. It reorganized in 1995 as the Office of Legal Counsel and Regulatory Affairs, and reformed under its present name in 2003.
The Legislative Office was organized formally by 1967 within the Office of the Governor. In January 2004, the Legislative Office merged with the Governor's Policy Office to form the Legislative and Policy Office. In 2007, it reformed as the Legislative Office.
Fifth Regiment Armory, 219 29th Division St., Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2288
By 1967, the Press Office was known as the Public Relations Office. By 1971, it was called the News Office. In 1979, it became the Press Office. Renamed the Communications Office in 1995, it later resumed the name, Press Office.
In July 2016, the Office of Transformation and Renewal formed.
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