Anne Arundel County - Board of License Commissioners - Alterations
SB 398 increases the Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners from three to five members. It requires the Governor to appoint members from a list recommended by the county’s state legislative delegations, revises eligibility rules (limiting same-party members to three and same-district residents to two), and mandates the board adopt a published ethics policy on conflicts of interest. The bill directly affects how the county’s alcohol and cannabis licensing board is structured and staffed. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with new terms beginning May 2, 2027.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 28, 2026
Signed May 26, 2026
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MODERATE
The bill was formally adopted and assigned a new chapter number for the official code. The most significant substantive change is the increase in the number of Board of License Commissioners members from three to five. Additionally, the bill clarifies that no more than two members can reside in the same state legislative district, while maintaining the requirement that no more than three members belong to the same political party.
Scope change
The bill's applicability remains limited to Anne Arundel County, but the composition and appointment rules of the Board of License Commissioners have been expanded.
REQUIREMENT
The number of Board of License Commissioners members appointed by the Governor was increased from three to five.
The rule limiting members from the same political party was updated to allow up to three members per party instead of two.
A new restriction was added stating that no more than two members of the Board may be residents of the same state legislative district.
TECHNICAL
The bill text was updated to reflect its adoption, assigning it a placeholder chapter number and adding signature lines for the Governor and legislative leaders.
Floor votes · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 831
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Apr 2, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-0-6)
house of delegates
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
Referred Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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