HB 481 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Washington County - Board of License Commissioners - Membership

HB 481 changes Washington County's Board of License Commissioners membership rules. It requires two members to belong to the political party that received the highest votes in the last county commissioners election, and one member to belong to the party with the second-highest votes. This replaces the previous rule limiting same-party members to no more than two. The bill directly affects how Washington County appoints its alcohol and cannabis licensing board members.
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Vetoed
May 2025
Introduced Jan 20, 2025 Vetoed May 16, 2025
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What changed between versions

First - Washington County - Board of License Commissioners - Membership Third - Washington County - Board of License Commissioners - Membership · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the legislative tracking information for HB 481, which establishes the Washington County Board of License Commissioners. The primary substantive change is the reorganization of the statutory text, moving the applicability clause to Section 1 and restructuring the appointment and term provisions. The bill confirms the board's composition requirements, including political party representation rules and term lengths.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains unchanged as it continues to apply only to Washington County, but the statutory structure was reorganized for clarity.
TECHNICAL

The bill's tracking information was updated to reflect its progression from first reading to third reading, with committee approval and adoption noted.

STRUCTURE

The statutory text was reorganized, moving the county applicability clause to Section 1 and renumbering subsequent sections for better alignment with standard legislative formatting.

ELIGIBILITY

The requirements for board members remain the same: three members appointed by the Governor, with at least two from the political party receiving the most votes and one from the party receiving the second most votes in the previous Board of County Commissioners election.

REQUIREMENT

Board members must be residents and voters of Washington County, possess high character and integrity, and have no financial interest in the alcoholic beverage industry.

TIMELINE

The bill remains effective as of July 1, 2025, with six-year staggered terms for board members.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2025

How they voted

410
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 46
Mar 21, 2025
D Democratic33
28 Yea 5
84% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 16, 2025
Vetoed
Vetoed by the Governor (Policy)
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (41-0-5)
senate
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Finance Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
lower
Mar 9, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (135-1-3)
house of delegates
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
First Reading Economic Matters
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.