Icon Agency History for comptroller of the treasury

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The office of Comptroller of the Treasury was established by the Constitution of 1851 to "have the general superintendence of the fiscal affairs of the state." The position is filled by popular election. The original four-year term of office was reduced to two by the Constitution of 1864, and increased to four again by the Constitution of 1867. No limit is set on the number of terms an incumbent may serve, but a person elected as comptroller must post a bond and qualify to hold the office, though the qualifications are not specified by the state Constitution or the Annotated Code of Maryland. The constitution enumerates the comptroller's duties, beginning with the broad mandate to exercise general superintendence over the fiscal affairs of the state and to prepare plans for the improvement and management of revenue. More specifically, the comptroller must preserve public accounts and grant warrants for money to be paid out of the treasury. The comptroller countersigns all checks drawn by the State Treasurer upon the deposits of the state and prescribes the formalities for the transfer or other evidence of state debt. The comptroller collects the following taxes: income tax, both personal and corporate; retail sales and use taxes; motor vehicle fuel tax; road tax on motor carriers; tobacco tax; estate tax; and excise taxes on beer, wine, and liquor. Also administered by the comptroller are the abandoned property and dormant bank account laws. Revenues collected by the Maryland Racing Commission as well as motor vehicle revenues are distributed to political subdivisions. Admissions and amusement tax revenues are collected at rates set by local officials, and distributed to political subdivisions. The comptroller prescribes the form of all licenses required by the state licensing laws, which are issued through the clerks of the courts of the various counties. The comptroller collects license revenues, property transfer taxes, death taxes, and real and personal property taxes from the clerks of the courts, registers of wills, and county treasurers. Distribution of certain taxes and revenue is made to cities, towns, and counties and to other state agencies as prescribed by law. The Comptroller of the Treasury is one of three members (along with the Governor and the State Treasurer) of the Board of Public Works. See also: State Treasurer. MSA SH21. Treasurer of the Eastern Shore. MSA SH17. Treasurer of the Western Shore. MSA SH111.