Sec. 33.13.12.02. Establishment

A. In General.

(a) For a Senate party committee, elect candidates to the Senate of Maryland; or

(b) For a House party committee, elect candidates to the Maryland House of Delegates.

B. By-Laws.

(1) The legislative party caucus committee shall develop and submit by-laws to the State Board for approval.

(2) The by-laws shall:

(a) State the purpose of the legislative party caucus committee;

(b) Create rules for conducting its business;

(c) Establish permanent staff positions and define the general overall responsibilities for each such staff position; and

(d) Establish a method of amending the by-laws.

(3) All changes to the by-laws shall be submitted to the State Board within 30 days of the change for review and approval by the State Board.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in Title 13 of the Election Law Article or in this chapter, each legislative party caucus committee shall be governed according to the by-laws approved by the State Board.

C. Appointing Authority.

(1) Except as provided in §C(2) of this regulation, the appointing authority for the chairman and treasurer of a legislative party caucus committee is:

(a) For a principal political party:

(i) In the Senate of Maryland, the President of the Senate or the Senate Minority Leader; and

(ii) In the Maryland House of Delegates, the Speaker of the House or the House Minority Leader; or

(b) For a recognized, non-principal political party:

(i) If the party has elected members in the Maryland General Assembly, the highest ranking member of each respective chamber, as determined by seniority; or

(ii) If the party has no elected members in the Maryland General Assembly, the chairman of the State party central committee.

(2) The by-laws of a legislative party caucus committee may establish an alternative appointing authority.

D. Required Filings. Prior to engaging in campaign finance activity, a legislative party caucus committee shall file with the State Board:

(1) A statement of organization designating the chairman and treasurer selected by the appointing authority of the legislative party caucus committee; and

(2) By-laws that have been approved by the State Board.