Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 2010. Member of the Senate since 2011.

Current Assignments

2015 Judicial Proceedings Committee

2017 Executive Nominations Committee

2015 Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR)

2015 Joint Committee on Federal Relations

2015 Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness

2015 Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus

2005 Maryland Veterans Caucus

Past Senate Service

Finance Committee, 2013-2014; Health Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, 2013-2014; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 2015-2017; Senate Chair, Workgroup on Death with Dignity, 2015; Task Force to Study Applicability of the Maryland Prevailing Wage Law, 2013-2014; Senate Special Committee on Ethics Reform, 2012-2014; Task Force to Study Economic Development and Apprenticeships, 2012-2014; Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 2011-2014; Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2011-2012; Public Safety and Policing Workgroup, 2015-2016; Standing Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, 2011-2012; Task Force to Study the Laws and Policies Relating to Representation of Indigent Criminal Defendants by the Office of the Public Defender, 2012-2014.

Past House Service 2003-2011

Deputy Majority Whip, 2007-2011; Judiciary Committee, 2007-2011; Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2007-2011; Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2007-2011; Tax and Revenue Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2004-2006; Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2006; Finance Resources Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2006; Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2004; Special Committee on Higher Education Affordability and Accessibility, 2003-2004.

Public Service

Prince George's County Pretrial Release, Work Release, and Diversion Programs Task Force, 2017-; Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, 2016-; Task Force to Study Restraint, Searches and Needs of Children in the Juvenile Justice System, 2016-2017; Chair, Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2007-2011; State Advisory Council on Administrative Hearings, 2007-2011; Truancy Court Workgroup, 2007-2008; Commission to Study Local Maintenance of Effort [for Education Funding], 2005-2006; Vice Chair, Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2003-2006; Co-Chair, Maryland Democratic Hispanic Caucus, 2004-; Steering Committee, Bi-County Task Force on Gang Activity, 2004; Task Force to Study Driver Licensing Documentation, 2003-2004; Metro Center Campus Advisory Council, Prince George's Community College, 2002.

Memberships

Maryland Educators Caucus, 2005-; American Bar Association; Maryland State Bar Association; Maryland Hispanic Bar Association; Prince George's County Bar Association.

Biographical Information

Born, San Salvador, El Salvador, July 20, 1974; Northwestern High School, Prince George's County; Frostburg State University, B.A., International Business/Spanish (Senatorial Scholarship all four years of undergraduate study), 1996; St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami Florida, J.D., 2001; Teacher, English for non-English speaking adults, 2001-02; Attorney, Law Offices of Victor R. Ramirez, 2002-; Coach, Lewisdale Boys and Girls Club Youth Soccer; Parishioner, St. James Catholic Church, Mount Rainier; Married; one child.