The Prince George’s County Council, during session on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, voted to amend its Rules of Procedure allowing for a restructuring of the Council’s standing committees.  The new committee structure accommodates the expansion of the legislative body from nine to eleven members.  The legislation also revises the number of members required to override an Executive Veto.

The County Council accomplishes most of its work through five standing committees.  The primary role of these committees in the legislative process is to consider bills assigned to them and make recommendations about whether the bills should become law.  The Council also conducts its budget review and adoption process through its committees, including important fiscal oversight over the budgets of assigned departments and agencies.

Council Chair Dannielle Glaros says the addition of two At-Large Council Members offers an important opportunity to address a reorganization of the Council’s committee structure. 

 
“Because we are adding two new At-Large Members, we are looking at the Council’s overall Rules and Procedures which includes our committee structure,” said Chair Glaros “This will give us the first opportunity in almost 25 years to rearrange the Council’s committee structure. Additionally, the restructuring will offer an important opportunity to reframe some of the critical conversations happening in the County and build synergies among different agencies.”  

The Council’s current committee structure includes five standing committees: Health, Education and Human Services, Planning, Zoning and Economic Development, Public Safety and Fiscal Management, Transportation, Housing and Environment, and Rules and General Assembly. Under the new legislation, the following standing committees will be appointed by the Chair of the Council at the beginning of their first term in office:

·        Education and Workforce Development
·        Health, Human Services and Public Safety

·        Planning, Housing and Economic Development
·        Government Operations and Fiscal Policy
·        Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment
·        General Assembly

The Education and Workforce Development Committee, which will include oversight of the Prince George’s Community College, will enable a focus on the shared priority of college and career readiness.  Combining Health, Human Services and Public Safety provides a wider platform for addressing the County’s quality of life issues, including domestic violence and mental health. The Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee will support the outcomes of the Council’s economic development initiatives, including a focus on housing and permitting, and the Transportation, Infrastructure and Environment Committee will include work around energy and bi-county concerns.  A new committee, Government Operations and Fiscal Policy will focus on improving service delivery through various County agencies.  General Assembly will remain unchanged.

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