2026 MGA Legislative Intern Program for College Students
Location: Annapolis, MD
Salary: $3,360-$8,400 stipend
Closing Date: October 15, 2025
Established in 1980, the Maryland General Assembly’s Legislative Intern Program provides college and university students internship opportunities with legislative offices during session. Upon acceptance into the program, these students begin their prestigious internship within the halls of the Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use in the nation. During the 90-day session, interns not only gain exposure to the daily operations of a legislative office, but witness history in the making as they develop a deeper understanding of Maryland’s democratic process through a variety of impactful work and experiences.
The Maryland General Assembly meets annually for a period of 90 calendar days, beginning the second Wednesday in January and continuing through early April. Internships through the MGA Legislative Intern Program run from Tuesday, January 13 to Friday, April 17, 2026 (14 weeks). They are in-person and located at the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis.
Legislative interns must work two to five days per week, with one day falling on either a Wednesday or Thursday for programming. If selected, an intern will establish a regular weekly schedule with their legislative office for the duration of the internship. (Most legislators would like their intern to work two to three days per week.) Since the legislature does not take any holidays during the 90-day session, interns must commit to a weekly work schedule with no holidays or spring break.
Interns selected for the MGA Legislative Intern Program must attend a webinar prior to the start of their internship (dates and times TBD), as well as attend a 2-day in-person orientation in Annapolis. Orientation is expected to run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
A stipend is awarded to an MGA Legislative Intern based on their established weekly schedule and is paid in installments. Please note, all stipends are taxable income.
The stipends listed below are the total amounts for the 14-week period:
- 14-16 hours per week = $3,360
- Up to 24 hours per week = $5,040
- Up to 32 hours per week = $6,720
- Up to 40 hours per week = $8,400
Transportation to Annapolis is not provided, nor overnight accommodations. Free parking is available at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, and free shuttle service is provided between the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the Maryland State Government Complex.
The type of work assigned to interns is mainly legislative, although some duties are clerical in nature. Legislative responsibilities may include:
- Conducting research
- Drafting correspondence
- Preparing, recording, and reporting testimony
- Contacting witnesses
- Attending committee hearings
- Tracking bills
- Working on mailings
- Responding to constituents' inquiries
- Writing newsletters
In addition, a variety of programming is conducted throughout the internship, including seminars, trainings, and events.
