PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

COUNTY COUNCIL

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

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In Prince George's County, the County Council formed in 1970 as the County's legislative body, when the voters ratified a charter form of government on November 3, 1970.

The County Council is the County's legislative body. It also sits as the District Council on zoning and land use matters, and as the Board of Health on health policy matters.

County Administration Building, Gov. Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, October 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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The Council consists of eleven members: nine district members and two at-large members, who are elected to four-year terms. Voters from each of nine Council Districts elect a single member of the Council. Two At-Large Council members are elected by the voters of the entire County. Each Council member's term begins on the first Monday in December following election. From among its members, the Council chooses the Chair and Vice-Chair to serve a one-year term. (County Charter, Article III, secs. 301-323).

CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
The County Charter provides for establishing, not later than one year prior to the beginning of each fourth year of a term, a charter review commission (County Charter, Article XI, sec. 1106). In accordance with that provision, the County Executive with the County Council appointed the Charter Review Commission in March 2021 .

The Commission undertook a comprehensive study of the County Charter and in recommending changes to the Charter, will submit its report by April 8, 2022.

COMPENSATION REVIEW BOARD
The County Charter provides for establishing, not later than December 15 of the last year of each term, a compensation review board (County Charter, Article III, sec. 308, Article IV, sec. 406). In accordance with that provision, the County Executive with the County Council appointed the Compensation Review Board in 2020.

The Board is to study the rate of current compensation for the Council and the County Executive and make a recommendation regarding the amount of compensation by December 15, 2021.

REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
After each federal decennial census, the County Charter requires that the County Council revise the County’s councilmanic election districts (County Charter, Art. III, sec. 305).

TAX CREDIT REFORM COMMISSION

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