Maryland. Constitutional Convention Commission

For historical summary see the agency history record [MSA SH100].

Governor J. Millard Tawes appointed the twenty-seven member Constitutional Convention Commission on June 16, 1965 to study the existing constitution "to ascertain if modification or revision was necessary, whether a constitutional convention should be held, and to prepare specific recommendations with respect to such revision and the holding of a constitutional convention." The commission reported in September 1965 that the constitution required revisison and that a constitutional convention should be called. A referendum was held on September 13, 1966, and the electorate voted overwhelmingly in favor of a convention.

The Commission was divided into ten committees. Among them were committees on convention procedures, elective franchise, finance and taxation, local legislation, and the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The commission and its committees prepared the specific recommendations requested by the governor and incorporated them into a draft constitution. The commission held its last formal meeting in Decemer 1966, published its interim report on May 26, 1967, and its final report on August 25, 1967.