Tenure

Member of the Senate since 2004. Appointed October 13, and sworn in October 21, 2004.

Current Assignments

2007- Finance Committee

2010- Health Subcommittee of the Finance Committee

2007- Executive Nominations Committee

2007- Workers’ Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight Committee

Past Senate Service

Minority Leader, 2008-2011; Spending Affordability Committee, 2008-2011; Joint Committee on Base Realignment and Closure, 2008-2011; Legislative Policy Committee, 2007-2011; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2007-2011; Joint Legislative Workgroup to Study State, County, and Municipal Fiscal Relationships, 2009-2010; Minority Whip, 2007-2008; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007; Procurement Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2005-2006; Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2004-2006; Alcoholic Beverages Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2004-2006; Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2004-2006; Ethics and Election Law Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2004-2006; Senate Co-Chair, Task Force to Study the Applicability of the Maryland Prevailing Wage Law, 2013-2014.

Public Service

Attorney General's Advisory Committee on Campaign Finance, 2010-2011; Chair, Commission on Civic Literacy, 2008-; Energy and Environment Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland, 2006-2008; Labor and Economic Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2007-; Task Force to Convene a Summit on Civic Literacy in Maryland, 2006; Vice Chair, Zoning Board, Howard County, 2003-2004; Patuxent River Commission, 2003-2004; Howard County Council, Representing District 5, 1998-2004; Baltimore Metropolitan Council Advisory Board, 2000-2002; Vice Chair, Board of [Liquor] License Commissioners, Howard County, 1999-2002; Chair, Board of [Liquor] License Commissioners, Howard County, 1998-1999; Howard County Republican Central Committee, 1990-1998; Chair, Howard County Republican Central Committee, 1992-1997; Vice Chair, Howard County Republican Central Committee, 1990-1992.

Memberships

Maryland Rural Caucus, 2005-; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-; Howard County Republican Club (President 1989-1990, Vice President, 1988-1989), 1988-1990; American Bar Association; Maryland State Bar Association; Howard County Bar Association; Baltimore City Bar Association; District of Columbia Bar Association; Maryland Association of Defense Trial Counsel; District of Columbia Association of Insurance Compensation Attorneys.

Awards

Outstanding Legislator of the Year, Maryland Business for Responsive Government , 2008; Robert H. Kittleman Life Achievement Award, Howard County Republican Central Committee , 2003.

Biographical Information

Born, Olney, Maryland, October 20, 1958; Howard County Public Schools, Atholton High School; University of Maryland Baltimore County, B.A., Political Science, 1981; University of Maryland School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1988; Attorney, Smith, Somerville & Case, 1988-1991 (Legal Assistant, 1984-1988); Of Council, Herwig & Humphreys, LLP, 2003- (Partner, 1996-2003; Associate, 1991-1996); Co-Owner, Twin Knolls Title Company, 2006-08; Godwin, Erlandson, MacLaughlin, Vernon & Daney, LLC, 2008-; Member, Chapelgate Presbyterian Church; Married, Four children.