Organizational Structure

Office of the Executive Director (OED)

The Executive Director of the Department of Legislative Services has overall responsibility and ultimate authority for the administration of the department and provides overall direction for its functions and activities.  The office provides administrative activities of the General Assembly including personnel, benefits, budget, accounting, procurement, supply inventories, distribution of bills and mail, and printing.  Additionally, the office is responsible for coordinating a new legislators' orientation at the beginning of each new four-year term.  This office is also responsible for coordinating the work of the Joint Committee to Select the Treasurer every four years.  The position of Counsel to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, which functions as Ethics Advisor to the General Assembly, falls under OED.  Finally, reapportionment, which occurs after the U.S. census every 10 years, requires redistricting in the State.  OED is responsible for oversight of legislative and congressional redistricting.

          Ethics Counsel

The General Assembly employs a full-time Ethics Counsel who is responsible for advising legislators regarding the applications of the Ethics Law.  Each member is required by law to meet individually with the Ethics Counsel at least once a year.

The relationship between the Ethics Counsel and each member is one of attorney and client, and all communications are confidential unless the member chooses to make them public.  If a complaint is filed against a legislator, the Ethics Counsel may not participate in the investigation or any activities of a prosecutorial nature.

The Ethics Counsel can provide advice (written or oral) about any aspect of the Ethics Law.  Additionally, the Ethics Counsel can assist a member in preparing a request for a formal opinion of the Joint Ethics Committee.

Finance & Administrative Services

This office manages all financial services in the department and the General Assembly, including accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, fiscal planning and reporting, procurement, facilities management, and telecommunications. The office is also responsible for mail pickup and delivery and distribution of legislative bills, hearing schedules, and other legislative documents, as well as a subscription mailing service, a customer "bin" pickup service, and a centralized FAX service.

Human Resources Office

The Human Resources Office is responsible for personnel activities for the employees of the department and for the Maryland General Assembly. Specific functions include recruitment, retirement, training and orientation, benefits coordination, records processing, payroll, and related activities required to maintain personnel services. During the legislative session, the Human Resources Office serves approximately 1,100 employees. This unit advises management on pertinent employment issues, provides guidance to employees regarding departmental procedures, and maintains oversight of legal issues in the labor and employment area. This unit also coordinates the General Assembly's page and intern programs that provide opportunities for students from Maryland high schools and colleges to participate in the work of the legislature.

Legislative Document Management

Legislative Document Management is a multifaceted operation that produces all legislative documents, including bills and other official documents of the General Assembly, as well as departmental reports and materials. Responsibilities include data entry, proofreading, graphic design, and the operation of a full service print shop.