With slight variation, the body to meet in that form until 1776, when Maryland, now a state independent of British rule, passed a new constitution that created an electoral college to appoint members of the Senate.

This electoral college was abolished in 1838 and members began to be directly elected from each county and Baltimore City.

This assembly first met in 1637, making it the longest continuously operating legislative body in the United States.

[2] Originally, the assembly was unicameral, but in 1650, the Governor and his appointed council began serving as the upper house of a now bicameral legislature.

These appointees had close political and economic ties to the proprietors of the Maryland colony, Cecilius Calvert and his descendants.

[3] The upper house was briefly abolished during the English Civil War, as Puritan governors attempted to consolidate control and prevent the return of any proprietary influence.

[3] In 1776, following the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Maryland threw off proprietary control and established a new constitution.

The new body consisted of fifteen senators appointed to five-year terms by an electoral college.

As a result, it was commonplace for the electoral college to select a State Senate entirely composed of one political party.

[4] Only in 1826, when National Republicans won a majority on the electoral college with a pledge to elect a balanced Senate, was more than one party represented.

Ultimately, however, the Democrats' position weakened following the State House elections the following month, when the Whigs won an overwhelming majority.

[3] In 1964, the Supreme Court ruled in Reynolds v. Sims that state legislative seats must be apportioned on the principle of one man, one vote.

A number of state legislatures, including Maryland, had systems based on geography rather than population, and the court rules that this violated the 14th Amendment.

[3] A special session of the legislature in 1965 changed the Senate to represent 16 districts and reapportioned the seats, again by county, but did so in such a way as to make the representation more proportional to population than it had been.

A constitutional amendment in 1972 expanded the Senate to 47 members, elected from districts proportional to the population.

These districts are reapportioned every ten years based on the United States Census to ensure they remain proportional.

The bill is submitted, and receives the first of three constitutionally mandated readings on the floor of the Senate, before being assigned to a committee.

They must be sworn in before such a trial takes place, and a two-thirds majority is required for conviction of the impeached person.

[2] The Executive Nominations Committee manages the Senate's responsibility to confirm gubernatorial appointments and makes recommendations of approval and disapproval to the body as a whole.

It also has the power to review legislation that has been introduced by a member of the Senate after the deadline for submission, and decide whether to refer it to a standing committee or let it die.

[12] While the committees are established by formal Senate rules, there are a number of caucuses that exercise significant influence over the legislative process.

Similarly, no employees of the state government may serve, except for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and rescue workers.

Within fifteen days of the Central Committee's recommendation being selected, the Governor must appoint that person to the vacant seat.

Maryland's constitution explicitly defines the process for the drawing of these districts, requiring that the Governor make a recommendation of a new electoral map and submit it for legislative approval.

They also have access to benefits received by state employees, including health and life insurance as well as retirement savings plans.

[21] Melony G. Griffith, from the 25th District in Prince George's County, is the President Pro Tempore.

[22] Stephen S. Hershey Jr. of the 36th District, which covers Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne's counties, was elected as the minority leader by the Senate's Republican Caucus in 2022.

They begin with unfinished business from the previous session, then consider legislation and special orders with accompanying reports from committees.

While lobbyists may spend freely on advocacy, they are limited in gifts to legislators and in their ability to contribute to campaigns.

Members are encouraged to avoid conflicts of interest, and are required to submit public financial disclosures to the state.