Tenure

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

Current Assignments

2015 Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee (Member, 2011)

2015 Executive Nominations Committee

2015 Legislative Policy Committee

2019 Juvenile Justice Reform Council

2007- Senate Special Committee on Substance Abuse

2008 Maryland Veterans Caucus

Past Senate Service

Budget and Taxation Committee, 2007-2010; Public Safety, Transportation and Environment Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2008-2010; Public Safety and Policing Workgroup, 2015-2016; Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Biotechnology, 2014-2015; 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; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR), 2009-2015; Senate Chair, Marijuana Legalization Work Group, 2019.

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

Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council, 2015-2016; Governor's Commission to Reform Maryland's Pretrial System, 2014; 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, 2007-2012; 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.

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, 2008-2015; Zirkin and Schmerling Law, 2015 - present; Married two children.