Washington County - Judgeships - District Court

HB 493 increases the number of judges in two Maryland judicial positions: it adds one resident judge position for St. Mary’s County’s Circuit Court (raising the total from 3 to 4 judges) and adds one associate judge position for Washington County in District 11 of the District Court (raising the total from 2 to 3 judges appointed from Washington County). The bill amends Maryland’s Annotated Code, specifically sections 1-503(a)(18) for Circuit Court judges and 1-603(b)(11) for District Court associate judges. These changes take effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting judicial staffing in St. Mary’s and Washington Counties.