MarylandAnne Arundel County expands licensing board with new terms in 2027
The law sets appointment and ethics rules for Anne Arundel County’s Board of License Commissioners and adds two seats whose terms begin May 2, 2027.
What it does
The law adds two licensing board seats, with first terms beginning May 2, 2027. No more than three members may share a political party or two a state legislative district.
The Governor must pick licensing board members from recommendations by Anne Arundel County’s state lawmakers. Appointments made while the state Senate is away need its approval when it next meets.
The licensing board must adopt and publish a written policy covering conflicts of interest and when members step aside from board matters.
Argument forA published policy on conflicts of interest could help residents understand when licensing board members should step aside from decisions.
Argument againstRequiring the Governor to choose from lawmakers’ recommendations could limit the choice of candidates for the county’s licensing board.
More detail
The law increases the Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners from three members to five. These rules cover Anne Arundel County’s licensing board. No more than three members may belong to the same political party. No more than two members may live in the same state legislative district. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The initial terms for the two added members begin May 2, 2027.
The Governor must choose board members from a list recommended by the county’s state lawmakers. Members of Anne Arundel County’s delegations to the Maryland House and Senate recommend the candidates. The Governor may request a new recommendation list at any time. Appointments require state Senate approval. When the Senate is not in session, the Governor may appoint members subject to approval when it next meets. The appointment rules took effect July 1, 2026.
The licensing board must adopt and publish a written ethics policy. The policy must cover conflicts of interest—personal interests that could affect decisions—and when board members step aside from board matters. The policy requirement took effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 831Became Law
- Apr 13Returned Passed
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 9Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 9Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and ElectionsMinor
- Apr 2
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 26Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 6Referred Government, Labor, and ElectionsMinor
- Mar 5Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 3Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Mar 2Favorable Report by FinanceMinor
- Feb 11Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 28First Reading FinanceIntroduced
Government & Ethics