HJ 8
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2020 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
House Joint Resolution 8 (Delegate Acevero, et al.)
Rules and Executive Nominations
United States of America - District of Columbia - Statehood
This joint resolution urges the members of the U.S. Congress to enact federal legislation
or propose a constitutional amendment granting legislative autonomy and statehood to the
District of Columbia.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: Compliance with this joint resolution does not affect State finances.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Background: The District of Columbia, located along the Potomac River between
Virginia and Maryland, was established by the U.S. Congress in 1790 as the seat of the
U.S. federal government. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the District of Columbia
has an estimated population of more than 702,000 residents.
The U.S. Constitution grants the U.S. Congress power to legislate over the affairs of the
District of Columbia. The district is represented by one nonvoting delegate in the
U.S. House of Representatives and is governed by an elected mayor and city council, as
authorized under the Home Rule Act of 1973. Acts of the District of Columbia and the
district’s annual budget are subject to congressional review.
The U.S. Congress has considered various pieces of legislation and proposed
constitutional amendments granting the District of Columbia greater authority over local
affairs and participation in national affairs. The Twenty-third Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1961, granted the District of Columbia
representation in the Electoral College, and the District of Columbia Delegate Act of 1970
granted the district one nonvoting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: HJ 7 of 2019 received a hearing in the House Rules and Executive
Nominations Committee, but no further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): District of Columbia; U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. House of
Representatives; D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute; britannica.com; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 19, 2020
mr/jc
Analysis by: Richard L. Duncan Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HJ 8/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - United States of America - District of Columbia - Statehood: 1-600 [], 20-515 []