Senate President Bill Ferguson announced changes to Senate leadership, committee jurisdiction, and committee membership ahead of the 2023 General Assembly session. 

As announced in a press release, the Maryland Senate will see significant changes in January.

“After a historic election where voters overwhelmingly approved our legislative agenda, today’s shift in jurisdiction assignments reflects how the chairs, vice chairs, and senators will move forward,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson. “The Senate of Maryland is a thoughtful, deliberative, and responsive chamber, and all whom serve must embody that as we engage in passing new legislation in 2023.”

In terms of leadership changes:

  • Senator Melony G. Griffith has been named chair of the Senate Finance Committee, replacing retiring Senator Delores G. Kelley
  • Senator Katherine Klausmeier will serve as vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee, replacing Senator Brian J. Feldman
  • Senator Brian J. Feldman has been named the chair of the new Education, Energy, and the Environment (EEE) committee, replacing Senator Paul G. Pinsky who has been tapped to be the new executive director of the Maryland Energy Administration
  • Senator Pam Beidle will serve as chair of the Executive Nominations Committee
  • Senator Antonio Hayes has been named vice chair of the Executive Nominations Committee
  • Senator Mary Washington will serve as chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR)
  • Senator Malcolm Augustine has been recommended to serve as Senate President Pro Tem

Remaining in their leadership roles you will find:

  • Senator Guy Guzzone and Senator Jim Rosapepe as Budget & Tax Committee chair and vice chair
  • Senator William C. Smith and Senator Jeff Waldstreicher as Judicial Committee Proceedings chair and vice chair
  • Senator Joanne C. Benson and Senator Shelly Hettleman as Rules Committee chair and vice chair
  • Senator Cheryl C. Kagan as Education, Energy, and Environment Committee vice chair

As to committee jurisdictions, the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee has been renamed the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment (EEE). The Committee will have jurisdiction over all energy and utility policies. The Finance Committee will now handle all health occupations and alcoholic beverages legislation.

For more information, including a full listing of committee and subcommittee membership assignments, view the press release.