Article XI – Charter Review Commission
Current through 2026-10-01. Source: Laws of Md., ch. 485 (2026 Session Md. Gen. Assembly). Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Charter art. XI, § 1 (2026)
§ 1 Commission established.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
A Charter Review Commission shall be established decennially in accordance with <cite data-path="XI">this article</cite> by resolution of the Mayor and City Council no later than May 1 in the first odd-numbered year of each decade.
(b)Interim commissions.
Notwithstanding <cite data-path="XI|§1|(a)">subsection (a) of this section</cite>, a Charter Review Commission may be established in accordance with <cite data-path="XI">this article</cite> by resolution of the Mayor and City Council no later than May 1 in any year that precedes a congressional election.
(c)Initial commission.
The first Commission under <cite data-path="XI">this article</cite> shall be established no later than May 1, 2021.
History: Res. 20--018, ratified Nov. 3, 2020
Balt., Md., Charter art. XI, § 2 (2026)
§ 2 Term.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
A Charter Review Commission established in accordance with <cite data-path="XI">this article</cite> shall complete its duties and submit its work to the Mayor and City Council no later than May 31 in the year following its establishment.
(b)Dissolution.
On completion and submission of its work to the Mayor and City Council, the Commission shall be deemed dissolved.
History: Res. 20--018, ratified Nov. 3, 2020
Balt., Md., Charter art. XI, § 3 (2026)
§ 3 Composition.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Commission shall be composed as specified in <cite data-path="XI|§3">this section</cite> of registered voters of the City appointed without regard to political affiliation.
(b)Manner of appointment.
The Mayor, the President of the City Council, and the Comptroller shall each appoint 3 members to the Commission. Each member of the City Council shall appoint 1 member to the Commission.
(c)Ineligibility of elected officials .
No person holding elective office may be appointed to the Commission.
(d)Chair and vice chair.
The Commission shall elect a chair and a vice chair from among its members.
(e)Advisory committees; Staff.
(1)
Advice and technical assistance shall be provided to the Commission by:
(i)
the City Solicitor or the Solicitor’s designee;
(ii)
the Director of Legislative Reference or the Director’s designee;
(iii)
the General Counsel to the City Council;
(iv)
the Director of the Office of Council Services or the Director’s designee; and
(v)
the Deputy Comptroller or the Deputy Comptroller’s designee.
(2)
At the discretion of the Commission, advisory committees may be appointed to assist the Commission in its duties.
History: Res. 20--018, ratified Nov. 3, 2020
Balt., Md., Charter art. XI, § 4 (2026)
§ 4 Duties.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Commission shall review the Charter, undertake a comprehensive study of its contents, and make findings and recommendations as to the necessity for deleting, adding, or amending its provisions in order to improve the efficiency and operations of City government.
(b)Public hearing and testimony.
Prior to delivering its report to the Mayor and the City Council, the Commission shall hold at least 1 public hearing to receive public testimony about the work of the Commission.
History: Res. 20--018, ratified Nov. 3, 2020
Balt., Md., Charter art. XI, § 5 (2026)
§ 5 Report to the Mayor and City Council.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Commission shall deliver a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council.
(b)Public hearing.
The City Council shall hold a public hearing at which the Commission shall present its report and recommendations.
History: Res. 20--018, ratified Nov. 3, 2020
Balt., Md., Charter art. XI, § 6 (2026)
§ 6 Dissolution.LinkCopy Citation
On completing the activities required in §5 of <cite data-path="XI">this article</cite>, the Commission shall be deemed dissolved and its work completed.
History: Res. 20--018, ratified Nov. 3, 2020