There is a Board of License Commissioners for Anne Arundel County.
Subject to paragraph (3)(i) of this subsection, the Governor shall appoint five members to the Board.
The appointments shall be made:
if the Senate is in session, with the advice and consent of the Senate; or
if the Senate is not in session, by the Governor alone, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate when the Senate next convenes.
The Governor shall appoint the members of the Board from a list of individuals recommended by the members of the county House and Senate delegations to the General Assembly.
The Governor may request a new list of recommendations under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph at any time.
Each member of the Board shall be:
a resident and voter of the county; and
an individual of high character and integrity and of recognized business capacity.
No more than three members of the Board may belong to the same political party.
No more than two members of the Board may be residents of the same State legislative district.
The term of a member is 2 years.
A member may not serve more than four consecutive terms.
The Governor shall appoint an eligible individual to fill a vacancy during the remainder of the term of office of the individual originally appointed in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
The Governor may remove a member for misconduct in office, incompetence, or willful neglect of duty.
The Governor shall give a member who is charged a copy of the charges against the member and, with at least 10 days’ notice, an opportunity to be heard publicly in person or by counsel.
If a member is removed, the Governor shall file with the Office of the Secretary of State a statement of charges against the member and the Governor’s findings on the charges.
In making the appointments, the Governor shall designate a chair from among the members of the Board.
The chair of the Board shall receive:
an annual salary that:
is not less than $21,240; and
includes any cost–of–living increase available to nonrepresented Anne Arundel County employees; and
reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred.
Each other member of the Board shall receive:
an annual salary that:
is not less than $17,700; and
includes any cost–of–living increase available to nonrepresented Anne Arundel County employees; and
reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred.
The Board may employ:
inspectors, subject to § 11–206 of this subtitle; and
clerical and other assistants as are necessary.
The Board shall employ:
a full–time executive director whose annual salary shall be fixed by the Board as in a general county classified salary schedule, within pay grade 17;
a full–time administrator whose annual salary shall be fixed by the Board as in a general county classified salary schedule, within pay grade 16;
two full–time secretaries whose annual salaries shall be fixed by the Board as in a general county classified salary schedule, within pay grade 13;
a full–time chief inspector whose annual salary shall be fixed by the Board as in a general county classified salary schedule, within non–represented pay schedule NR–12; and
an attorney at an annual salary of $60,000.
The Board may hire an attorney on a contractual basis to perform work that the attorney employed by the Board is unable to perform because of a conflict of interest.
The Board may spend not more than $30,000 each year to hire a contractual attorney under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.
Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the Board may set the compensation of the employees.
The Board may allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in or on a parking lot, picnic ground, building, or terrace that is an integral part of the licensed premises.
The Board may employ:
one part–time deputy chief inspector at an annual salary that:
is not less than $18,000; and
includes any cost–of–living increase available to nonrepresented Anne Arundel County employees; and
18 part–time inspectors at an annual salary that:
is not less than $8,260 each; and
includes any cost–of–living increase available to nonrepresented Anne Arundel County employees.
Each inspector shall receive a monthly expense allowance of $300, subject to the approval of the Executive Director.
An inspector:
has all the powers of a peace officer or sheriff in the State arising out of or relating to the enforcement of this article;
may serve a summons under § 11–2604 of this title; and
may issue a civil citation under § 11–2605 of this title.
An inspector shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.
An inspector shall provide a penalty bond of $2,000 to the Board and the County Council jointly on the condition that the inspector faithfully perform the duties of office.
The county shall pay the cost of the bond.
From the fees received, the Executive Director shall:
approve and remit to the county the amounts necessary to pay the salaries and benefits of the Board and its employees;
approve and remit to the county the amount necessary to pay the expenses of the Board; and
at the end of each fiscal year, remit the balance of the fees received to the county for the general purposes of the county.
The Board may adopt regulations to carry out this article.
The Board shall make available to the public the agenda for an upcoming meeting not less than 1 week before the meeting.
The Board shall make available to the public live video and audio streaming of each open meeting.
In accordance with § 3–306 of the General Provisions Article, the Board shall publish the minutes of each open meeting not later than 1 month after the meeting.
The Board shall archive and store:
recordings of each open meeting for not less than 3 years; and
records of the minutes of each open meeting for not less than 7 years.
The Board shall adopt and publish a written policy related to conflicts of interest and the recusal of Board members from Board matters.