MGA corrected staff and committees

2027 Projected Key Staffer Directory for the House standing committees

The speaker made a change in committees adding a new one. I knew that but I based my committee structure on 2026, not on the new one for 2027 so I've redone it. I believe it's accurate. If there's anything that's not let me know so I can constantly revise and this will be changing as committees change.

The Annapolis Secret: Why You’re Talking to the Wrong People

If you’re trying to move policy, protect your industry, or get an amendment drafted in Annapolis, I’m going to share a piece of advice that took me years in the trenches to fully appreciate:

Stop trying to play golf with the big shots.

Most casual observers and rookie advocates think the key to legislative success is getting ten minutes on a Delegate’s calendar, grabbing a photo-op with a Senator, or getting a meeting with the Speaker or the Governor.

Here’s the reality: The "big shots" don't have time to manage the details. They are dialing for dollars, managing caucuses, juggling media appearances, handling political crises, and attending endless receptions. They rely almost entirely on a small group of highly skilled, deeply knowledgeable people to do the heavy lifting.

If you want a bill moved, an amendment properly worded, or an honest assessment of whether your issue is actually alive or dead, you don't need to talk to the person with the name on the door. You need to talk to key committee staff and Department of Legislative Services (DLS) counsel.

They are the ones who:

• Draft the precise legal language and technical amendments.

• Write the fiscal notes and policy briefings that guide committee votes.

• Manage the hearing rosters and organize voting session agendas.

• Whisper directly into the Chair's ear before the gavel drops.

Below is our exclusive 2027 Projected Key Staffer Directory for the House standing committees—including the specific committee assistants and DLS policy analysts you should actually be taking out for coffee before pre-file season hits.

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Unlock the full directory below to see exactly who holds the pen on Health, Government, Labor & Elections, Economic Matters, Judiciary, Ways & Means, Appropriations, and Environment & Transportation.

🔒 Exclusive Roster: The Key Staffers Who Run the House Committees

Below is your direct access list for the seven major House Standing Committees. Bookmark these names and email addresses before the deluge of 1,500+ bills hits the House floor.

1. Health Committee (HLT)

• Issue Areas: Healthcare facilities, public health/Medicaid, health insurance, health occupations and professions, long-term care. (Note: Government operations, procurement, and administrative law functions have transitioned to the newly created Government, Labor, and Elections Committee).

• Chair / Vice Chair: Heather A. Bagnall (Chair) | Bonnie L. Cullison (Vice Chair)*

> Note on Vice Chair: Bonnie Cullison is retiring at the end of this term of her own choice (choosing not to seek a fifth term). While it is anticipated that Majority Whip Ashanti Martinez may be in line as a potential replacement, that appointment remains unconfirmed until leadership formalizes the roster.

Assistant to the Chair (Gatekeeper/Scheduling): Alicia Altamirano (Michelle Firmin now serves in the Speaker's office).

DLS Committee Counsel / Policy Analysts:

• Lisa J. Simpson

• Lindsay Rowe

• Christopher Daffin

(Erin Hopwood now serves in the Speaker's office).

2. Government, Labor, and Elections Committee (GLE / LEG)

Issue Areas: State government operations, state procurement, state personnel, ethics, election law, labor & collective bargaining, correctional facilities & services, county/bi-county/municipal governance, and alcoholic beverages legislation.

• Chair / Vice Chair: Melissa Wells (Chair) | Kenneth Kerr (Vice Chair)

• Assistant to the Chair: Rory Nolan

DLS Committee Counsel / Policy Analysts:

• Tyler Babich

• Kira Baran

• Stanford Ward (Election Law Lead)

3. Economic Matters Committee (ECM)

Issue Areas: Banking, insurance, utilities, business licensing, consumer protection, commercial law.

• Chair / Vice Chair: Kriselda Valderrama (Chair) | Lorig Charkoudian (Vice Chair)

• Assistant to the Chair: Joy Jones

DLS Committee Counsel / Policy Analysts:

• Erica White

• Tatiana Hill

• Benjamin Voight

4. Judiciary Committee

Issue Areas: Criminal/civil law, law enforcement, family law, court administration, public safety, juvenile justice.

• Chair / Vice Chair: J. Sandy Bartlett (Chair) | Debra M. Davis (Vice Chair)

• Assistant to the Chair: Holly Vandegrift

LS Committee Counsel / Policy Analysts:

• Douglas R. Nestor

• Lauren C. Nestor

• Claire E. Rossmark

5. Ways & Means Committee

Issue Areas: State & local taxation, gaming/lottery, primary/secondary education financing, elections, transportation funding.

• Chair / Vice Chair: Jheanelle K. Wilkins (Chair) | Jessica M. Feldmark (Vice Chair)

• Assistant to the Chair: Sara Hartman

DLS Committee Counsel / Policy Analysts:

• Stanford D. Ward

• George Butler

• Alistair Johnston

6. Appropriations Committee

Issue Areas: State operating & capital budgets, state pension systems, higher education funding, agency spending mandates.

• Chair / Vice Chair: Ben Barnes (Chair) | Anne R. Kaiser (Vice Chair)

• Budget Coordinator: Steve McCulloch

DLS Fiscal & Committee Analysts:

• Joe Gutberlet

• Laura Hyde

• Yanesia Norris

7. Environment & Transportation Committee (ENT)

Issue Areas: Housing/real property, agriculture, land use/zoning, vehicle emissions, transportation infrastructure, environmental regulation.

• Chair / Vice Chair: Marc A. Korman (Chair) | Michele J. Guyton (Vice Chair)

• Assistant to the Chair: Trish Gagnon

DLS Committee Counsel / Policy Analysts:

• Cristen C. Flynn

• T. Patrick Tracy

• Steve Ross

Pro-Tip for Reaching DLS Staff:

State email conventions follow firstname.lastname@mga.maryland.gov. DLS analysts are strictly non-partisan; when you reach out, frame your conversation around technical accuracy, policy clarity, and potential unintended consequences of bill language rather than partisan lobbying.