HB 822 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Circuit Court Clerks and Registers of Wills - Maximum Salary

HB 822 sets a new maximum annual salary for Maryland circuit court clerks and registers of wills at the State of Maryland Standard and Bargaining Salary Scale Grade 26, Step 20. This replaces an outdated minimum salary requirement for Baltimore City registers and ties their pay to the state's standardized scale, adjusted annually based on office workload and revenue. The bill ensures current officeholders' salaries remain unchanged during their current term, with any new rate applying only at the start of their next term. It takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting these local court officials across Maryland.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Circuit Court Clerks and Registers of Wills - Maximum Salary → Third - Circuit Court Clerks and Registers of Wills - Maximum Salary · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the salary structure for Circuit Court Clerks and Registers of Wills in Maryland, shifting from a fixed dollar amount to a standardized state employee salary scale (Grade 26, Step 20). It also clarifies that salary increases during a term of office do not apply to current incumbents until their next term begins.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the compensation of Circuit Court Clerks and Registers of Wills, but the mechanism for determining pay has changed from a specific dollar cap to a reference to the state salary grid.

FISCAL

The maximum salary for both Clerks and Registers changed from a fixed amount of $146,500 to the State of Maryland Standard and Bargaining Salary Scale at Grade 26, Step 20.

REQUIREMENT

New text explicitly states that any salary scale changes occurring during a term of office cannot be applied to the current incumbent and will only take effect at the start of their next term.

TECHNICAL

Added procedural headers indicating the bill was reported favorably by the committee and adopted by the House.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 25, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 565

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Judiciary

lower

Feb 27, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (116-18-8)

house of delegates

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judiciary

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors