There is a Board of License Commissioners for Caroline County.

The Governor shall appoint three members to the Board. The appointments shall be made: if the House of Delegates is in session, with the advice and consent of the House of Delegates; or if the House of Delegates is not in session, by the Governor alone. An appointment made under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection shall continue in force until the end of the next session of the General Assembly. 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. The term of a regular member is 3 years. The terms of the regular members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on July 1, 2016. The Governor shall appoint an eligible individual to fill a vacancy that occurs during 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.

The Governor shall appoint one substitute member to the Board. The appointment shall be made: if the House of Delegates is in session, with the advice and consent of the House of Delegates; or if the House of Delegates is not in session, by the Governor alone. An appointment made under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection shall continue in force until the end of the next session of the General Assembly. The term of the substitute member is 3 years and begins on the first Monday in May. If a regular member of the Board becomes incapacitated from any cause or if a vacancy occurs on the Board for any reason, the substitute member, on request of the chair or the majority of the Board, shall serve on the Board until the incapacity ends or the vacancy is filled. While serving on the Board, the substitute member has all the powers and duties of a regular member.

In making the appointments, the Governor shall designate a chair from among the regular members of the Board.

The regular members of the Board shall receive annual salaries as determined by the County Commissioners, but not less than: $3,000 for the chair of the Board; and $2,500 for each other regular member of the Board. The substitute member of the Board shall receive $100 per meeting attended but not more than $2,000 in any 1–year period. The chair, other regular members, and the substitute member of the Board shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations. The Board may: employ: a secretary; and clerical and other assistants as are necessary; and set the compensation of the employees. The Board may appoint an attorney for the Board. The County Commissioners shall set the compensation for the attorney. The attorney is subject to the county ethics ordinance.

The inspector for the Board is: the county codes administrator; or an individual the Board appoints as inspector. The Board shall specify the duties of the inspector, including the administration and enforcement of the alcoholic beverages laws of the county. The salary of the inspector shall be as provided in the county budget.

The Board may adopt regulations to carry out this article.