There is a Board of License Commissioners for Washington County.

The Governor shall appoint three 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. 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. Not more than two members of the Board may belong to the same political party. A member of the Board may not have a pecuniary or other interest in any phase of the manufacture, sale, or distribution of alcoholic beverages. The term of a member is 6 years. The terms of the 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 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 remainder 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 annual salaries for the Board shall be set by the County Commissioners under Title 28, Subtitle 2 of the Local Government Article. The salaries specified in this subsection are payable monthly from the license fees derived from the issuance of licenses authorized by this article. The Board may: employ: a secretary; inspectors; and clerical and other assistants as are necessary; and set the compensation of the employees. An employee of the Board may not have a pecuniary or other interest in any phase of the manufacture, sale, or distribution of alcoholic beverages.

The Board annually shall engage an independent certified public accounting firm to conduct an audit in accordance with government auditing standards to express an opinion on the fair presentation of the financial statements of the Board. By November 1 after the close of each fiscal year, the accounting firm shall provide copies of the audit report to the members of the Board and the senators and delegates who constitute the Washington County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly.

From the license fees collected, the Board shall pay the salaries of Board members and Board employees and the expenses of the Board. After payments made under subsection (a) of this section, the Board shall pay the fees collected from licensed premises: to the municipality where the licensed premises is located; or if the licensed premises is not in a municipality, to the County Commissioners for the use of the county.

The Board may adopt regulations to carry out this article.