Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 2006. Member of the Senate since 2007.

Current Assignments

2014 Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Biotechnology

2011- Judicial Proceedings Committee

2007- Senate Special Committee on Substance Abuse

2009- Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR)

Past Senate Service

Public Safety, Transportation and Environment Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2008-2010; Budget and Taxation Committee, 2007-2010; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2007-2010; Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation, 2007-2010; Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee, 2013-2014; Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007; Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007; Ethics and Election Law Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007; Special Committee on Renewables and Clean Energy of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007.

Past House Service 1999-2007

Juvenile Services Workgroup of the Judiciary Committee, 2005-2007; Chair, Juvenile Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2003-2007; Judiciary Committee, 1999-2007; Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2000-2003; Gaming Law and Enforcement Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 1999-2001.

Public Service

Task Force to Study Implementing a Civil right to Counsel in Maryland, 2013-2014; State Advisory Board for Juvenile Services, 2011-, 2007-2008; Task Force on the Membership and Operation of the Baltimore County Board of Education, 2011; Intergovernmental Work Group to Study the Effects of Representation of Indigent Defendants in the Criminal Justice System, 2010-2011; Chair, Task Force to Study Group-Home Education and Placement Practices, 2007-2008; Foster Care Court-Improvement Implementation Committee, 2007-; Chair, Education Subcommittee of Baltimore County Delegation, 2005-2007; Drug Treatment Court Commission, 2003-2006; Task Force to Study Alternative Living Arrangements for Children in Out-of-Home Placement, 2003-2004; Task Force to Study the Mentoring and Monitoring of Children in the Custody of or under the Supervision of the Department of Juvenile Services, 2003-2004; Task Force to Study the Licensing and Monitoring of Community-Based Homes for Children, 2000-2001; Speaker, Democratic Party National Convention, 1996; Governor's Commission to Reform Maryland's Pretrial System, 2014.

Memberships

President's Advisory Council, Stevenson University, 2009-; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2006-2007; Maryland Green Caucus, 1999-2007; President, Young Democrats of Maryland, 1994-1995; Maryland State Bar Association (Criminal Law and Practice Section, Family and Juvenile Law Section, Litigation Law Section, Solo and Small Firm Practice Section, Young Lawyers Section); Baltimore County Bar Association.

Awards

Legislative Achievement Award, Maryland State Bar Association, 2009; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2008; Legislator of the Year, Maryland State Surgical Association, 2006; Legislator of the Year, American College of Emergency Medical Physicians, 2005; Legislator of the Year, Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, 2005; Recipient, Thomas J. Watson Foundation Fellowship (to create European equivalent of National Collegiate Athletic Association), 1993-1994.

Biographical Information

Born, Davis, California, April 24, 1971; Baltimore County Public Schools, Pikesville High School, 1989; The Johns Hopkins University, B.A., Political Science, 1993 (Junior Year Abroad, The London School of Economic/American University of Brussels); Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1998; Attorney, Law Office of Bobby A. Zirkin, 2008-; Married, Two children.