Members - Delegate Jefferson L. Ghrist

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Delegate Jefferson L. Ghrist

District

County

Kent, Queen Anne's, Cecil, and Caroline

Committee Assignment(s)

Appropriations Committee
Rules and Executive Nominations Committee

Annapolis Info

430 Lowe House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: 410-841-3555
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3555
Fax 410-841-3434

Interim Info

430 Lowe House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone 410-841-3555
Fax 410-841-3434

Contact

Jeff.Ghrist@house.maryland.gov

Party

Republican

Legislation	Sponsorship Type Sort	Chamber Sort
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0459 Title State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Schools - Enforcement Procedures - Alterations Sponsorship Type Primary	1	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB1572 Title Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – Eligible Sources – Waste–to–Energy Sponsorship Type Primary	1	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0361 (SB0358) Title Queen Anne’s County – Circuit Court Judgeships Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0395 (SB0371) Title Water Pollution Control - Discharge Permits - Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0449 Title Juvenile Justice Restoration Act Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0454 Title Election Law - Voter Registration Eligibility - U.S. Citizenship Verification (SAVE Our Elections Act of 2026) Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0455 (SB0329) Title Education - Certification of Scholarship Granting Organizations (Opting in on Opportunity Act) Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0460 Title Solar Energy - Construction of Generating Stations in Priority Preservation Areas and Study Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0461 (SB0300) Title Economic Development - Rural Readiness Program and Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund - Establishment Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0462 (SB0567) Title Elections - In-Person Voting - Proof of Identity Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0475 Title Department of Juvenile Services - Employees - Prohibited Convictions (Juvenile Offender Protection Act) Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0535 Title Food Establishments - Cottage Food Businesses - Maximum Annual Revenue Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0544 Title Vehicle Laws - Cannabis Use in Motor Vehicle With Minor Occupant - Prohibition Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0569 (SB0833) Title Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0576 (SB0425) Title State Archives - Record Services - Fees Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0613 (SB0368) Title Calvert and St. Mary's Counties - Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0632 Title Certificate of Need - Psychiatric Health Care Facilities and Psychiatric and Mental Health Services - Exemption Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0825 Title Brain Health - Guidelines, Grant Fund, and Commemorative Month (Tahjai's Law) Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0958 Title Natural Gas – Connection and Line Extension – Discounts and Payment Plans Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0964 Title Secure the Vote Act of 2026 Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0967 Title Electric Companies – Environmental Surcharges or Fees – Prohibition on Collection Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0980 Title Family Law and State Government - Child Protection and the Office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman (Kanaiyah's Law) Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB0988 Title Environment - Building Energy Performance Standards - Repeal Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB1079 Title Office of Regulatory Management and State Government Authorizations Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB1212 (SB0916) Title Workgroup on Seafood Marketing Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB1388 (SB0875) Title Oysters - Rotational Harvest - Pilot Program Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB1395 (SB0849) Title Consumer Protection - Agricultural Equipment Warranties Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB1400 (SB0166) Title Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB1459 Title Public Safety - Stationary Energy Storage Systems Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HB1535 Title Natural Resources - Recreational Fishing - Mobile Reporting Application Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2
Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter) HS0001 Title State Agencies - Misconduct Related to Federal Funding - Legislative Investigating Committee Sponsorship Type Co-Sponsor	2	2

Bill/Chapter (Cross/Chapter)	Title	Sponsorship Type	Sponsorship Type Sort	Chamber Sort	Current Status	Org Committees & Hearings
HB0459	State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Schools - Enforcement Procedures - Alterations	Primary	1	2	In the House - Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m.	Ways and Means 2/11/2026 - 2:00 PM
HB1572	Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – Eligible Sources – Waste–to–Energy	Primary	1	2	In the House - Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 3/10/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0361 (SB0358)	Queen Anne’s County – Circuit Court Judgeships	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - First Reading Judiciary	Judiciary
HB0395 (SB0371)	Water Pollution Control - Discharge Permits - Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 2/11/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0449	Juvenile Justice Restoration Act	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.	Judiciary 2/12/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0454	Election Law - Voter Registration Eligibility - U.S. Citizenship Verification (SAVE Our Elections Act of 2026)	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m.	Government, Labor, and Elections 2/11/2026 - 2:00 PM
HB0455 (SB0329)	Education - Certification of Scholarship Granting Organizations (Opting in on Opportunity Act)	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.	Ways and Means 2/26/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0460	Solar Energy - Construction of Generating Stations in Priority Preservation Areas and Study	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 2/10/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0461 (SB0300)	Economic Development - Rural Readiness Program and Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund - Establishment	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.	Economic Matters 2/17/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0462 (SB0567)	Elections - In-Person Voting - Proof of Identity	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m.	Government, Labor, and Elections 2/11/2026 - 2:00 PM
HB0475	Department of Juvenile Services - Employees - Prohibited Convictions (Juvenile Offender Protection Act)	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.	Judiciary 2/12/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0535	Food Establishments - Cottage Food Businesses - Maximum Annual Revenue	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.	Health 2/17/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0544	Vehicle Laws - Cannabis Use in Motor Vehicle With Minor Occupant - Prohibition	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m.	Judiciary 2/11/2026 - 2:00 PM
HB0569 (SB0833)	Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m.	Ways and Means 2/10/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0576 (SB0425)	State Archives - Record Services - Fees	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.	Government, Labor, and Elections 2/24/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0613 (SB0368)	Calvert and St. Mary's Counties - Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 2/25/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0632	Certificate of Need - Psychiatric Health Care Facilities and Psychiatric and Mental Health Services - Exemption	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/18 at 1:30 p.m.	Health 2/18/2026 - 1:30 PM
HB0825	Brain Health - Guidelines, Grant Fund, and Commemorative Month (Tahjai's Law)	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections and Appropriations	Government, Labor, and Elections Appropriations
HB0958	Natural Gas – Connection and Line Extension – Discounts and Payment Plans	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 2/27/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0964	Secure the Vote Act of 2026	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.	Government, Labor, and Elections 2/25/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0967	Electric Companies – Environmental Surcharges or Fees – Prohibition on Collection	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 2/27/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0980	Family Law and State Government - Child Protection and the Office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman (Kanaiyah's Law)	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.	Judiciary 2/26/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB0988	Environment - Building Energy Performance Standards - Repeal	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m. (Environment and Transportation)	Environment and Transportation 2/27/2026 - 1:00 PM Economic Matters
HB1079	Office of Regulatory Management and State Government Authorizations	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections	Government, Labor, and Elections
HB1212 (SB0916)	Workgroup on Seafood Marketing	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 3/04/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB1388 (SB0875)	Oysters - Rotational Harvest - Pilot Program	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 3/04/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB1395 (SB0849)	Consumer Protection - Agricultural Equipment Warranties	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - First Reading Economic Matters	Economic Matters
HB1400 (SB0166)	Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 3/04/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB1459	Public Safety - Stationary Energy Storage Systems	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 3/10/2026 - 1:00 PM
HB1535	Natural Resources - Recreational Fishing - Mobile Reporting Application	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m.	Environment and Transportation 3/11/2026 - 1:00 PM
HS0001	State Agencies - Misconduct Related to Federal Funding - Legislative Investigating Committee	Co-Sponsor	2	2	In the House - First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations	Rules and Executive Nominations

Denotes enacted legislation

Legislative Bond Initiatives
Project Name Aaron's Place - Food Hub and Innovation Campus Status Introduced House Sponsors Ghrist Senate Sponsors Hershey Mautz County Caroline Amount Requested $200,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Anna Murray Douglass Museum and Visitor's Center Status Introduced House Sponsors Ghrist Senate Sponsors Mautz County Caroline Amount Requested $250,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Caroline Business Resource Center Status Introduced House Sponsors Ghrist Senate Sponsors Hershey Mautz County Caroline Amount Requested $50,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Greensboro Volunteer Fire Company Status Introduced House Sponsors Ghrist Arentz Jacobs Senate Sponsors Hershey County Caroline Amount Requested $50,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Heritage Center II Status Introduced House Sponsors Ghrist Senate Sponsors Mautz County Caroline Amount Requested $400,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Martin's House and Barn Status Introduced House Sponsors Ghrist Senate Sponsors Caroline County Senators County Caroline Amount Requested $300,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Town of Greensboro Police Department Status Introduced House Sponsors Ghrist Senate Sponsors Hershey County Caroline Amount Requested $50,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Fair Hill Nature Center Playscape Status Introduced House Sponsors Ghrist Arentz Jacobs Senate Sponsors Hershey County Cecil Amount Requested $500,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Easterseals Camp Fairlee Dining Hall Status Introduced House Sponsors Jacobs Arentz Ghrist Senate Sponsors Hershey County Kent Amount Requested $500,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Radcliffe Creek School Status Introduced House Sponsors Jacobs Arentz Ghrist Senate Sponsors Hershey County Kent Amount Requested $190,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Christ Church Parish Kent Island Status Introduced House Sponsors Arentz Jacobs Ghrist Senate Sponsors Hershey County Queen Anne's Amount Requested $250,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Gunston School Status Introduced House Sponsors Arentz Jacobs Ghrist Senate Sponsors Hershey County Queen Anne's Amount Requested $276,739 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name Historic Christ Church Status Introduced House Sponsors Arentz Jacobs Ghrist Senate Sponsors Hershey County Queen Anne's Amount Requested $100,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0
Project Name United States Colored Troops Memorial Status Introduced House Sponsors Arentz Ghrist Jacobs Senate Sponsors Hershey County Queen Anne's Amount Requested $100,000 Senate Initiative House Initiative Other Funding Total Funding $0

Project Name	Status	House Sponsors	Senate Sponsors	County	Amount Requested	Total Funding
Aaron's Place - Food Hub and Innovation Campus	Introduced	Ghrist	Hershey Mautz	Caroline	$200,000	$0
Anna Murray Douglass Museum and Visitor's Center	Introduced	Ghrist	Mautz	Caroline	$250,000	$0
Caroline Business Resource Center	Introduced	Ghrist	Hershey Mautz	Caroline	$50,000	$0
Greensboro Volunteer Fire Company	Introduced	Ghrist Arentz Jacobs	Hershey	Caroline	$50,000	$0
Heritage Center II	Introduced	Ghrist	Mautz	Caroline	$400,000	$0
Martin's House and Barn	Introduced	Ghrist	Caroline County Senators	Caroline	$300,000	$0
Town of Greensboro Police Department	Introduced	Ghrist	Hershey	Caroline	$50,000	$0
Fair Hill Nature Center Playscape	Introduced	Ghrist Arentz Jacobs	Hershey	Cecil	$500,000	$0
Easterseals Camp Fairlee Dining Hall	Introduced	Jacobs Arentz Ghrist	Hershey	Kent	$500,000	$0
Radcliffe Creek School	Introduced	Jacobs Arentz Ghrist	Hershey	Kent	$190,000	$0
Christ Church Parish Kent Island	Introduced	Arentz Jacobs Ghrist	Hershey	Queen Anne's	$250,000	$0
Gunston School	Introduced	Arentz Jacobs Ghrist	Hershey	Queen Anne's	$276,739	$0
Historic Christ Church	Introduced	Arentz Jacobs Ghrist	Hershey	Queen Anne's	$100,000	$0
United States Colored Troops Memorial	Introduced	Arentz Ghrist Jacobs	Hershey	Queen Anne's	$100,000	$0

Tenure: First elected to the House of Delegates in 2014. Member of the House since 2015.

Current Assignments

2022 Minority Parliamentarian

2015 Appropriations Committee

2015 Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee

2020 Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee

2026 Racing and Sports Facilities of the Appropriations Committee

2026 Co-Chair, Rural Caucus

2021 Rules and Executive Nominations Committee

2022 Spending Affordability Committee

2015 Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight

2026 Co-Chair, House Rural Caucus

2015 Chair, Caroline County House Delegation

Past House Service: Deputy Minority Whip, 2019-2021; Special Joint Legislative Committee to Select the State Treasurer, 2023, 2021; Oversight Committee on Personnel of the Appropriations Committee, 2015-2025; Transportation and the Enivronment Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2019; Health and Social Services Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2015-2019; Joint Covid-19 Response Workgroup, 2020; 21st Century School Facilities Commission, 2016-2017; Commission on Maryland Retirement Security and Savings, 2015-2016.

Public Service: Workgroup on Educatinal Development Specifications, 2018-2019; Bainbridge Development Advisory Board, 2015-; North County Water and Sewer Authority, 2011-2014; Mid-Shore Regional Council, 1st Vice Chair-2013, 2006-2004; Caroline County Social Services Advisory Board, 2006-2014; Board of Health, Caroline County, 2006-2014; Chair, Roads Board, Caroline County (2012-2014), 2006-2010; Character Counts, Coach; Little League, Coach.

Memberships: Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2015-; County Engineers Association of Maryland, 2007-.

Biographical Information: Born, March 14, 1975; North Caroline High School, Ridgely, Maryland; Chesapeake College; Salisbury State University, B.A. Economics, 1997; Real Estate Agent; Former Assistant Store Manager, The Home Depot; County Commissioners of Caroline County (2006-2014), President (2010-2012 and 2014), Vice President (2013-2014); Married; two children.