Who signs appropriation bills into law after the Legislature passes them?

• A. The Governor
• B. The President
• C. The Speaker of the House
• D. The Attorney General

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the final step to make a state bill into law is the governor’s signature. In Maryland, once the Legislature passes appropriation bills, they are sent to the Governor, who must sign them to enact them. The Governor acts as the executive branch’s gatekeeper for laws like the budget; the other offices listed don’t have the power to sign laws— the President is the federal leader, not part of Maryland state government, and the Speaker and the Attorney General don’t sign bills into law. If the Governor vetoes, the General Assembly can override with a three-fifths vote in both chambers, but without the Governor’s signature (or an override), the bill doesn’t become law.