The Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area began in 1984 as the Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas (Chapter 794, Acts of 1984). In 2003, it received its present name (Chapter 21, Acts of 2003).

Periodically, the Committee meets with the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays to review the critical area protection program.

The Committee consists of ten members: five senators appointed by the Senate President and five delegates appointed by the House Speaker (Code State Government Article, sec. 2-10A-01).