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Adjutant general seeks statutory clarity to appoint chief of staff in HB 181
Summary
Major General Janine Birkhead told the committee House Bill 181 would align statute with current practice by authorizing the adjutant general to appoint the adjutant general's direct staff, including a chief of staff, to reduce confusion created by older public safety code. She said the governor retains appointment authority for certain senior
Major General Janine Birkhead, the adjutant general for Maryland, testified in favor of House Bill 181, a departmental measure to authorize the adjutant general to appoint direct staff such as a chief of staff.
Birkhead told the Health and Government Operations Committee the change would "simply place in statute the operational reality" of the Maryland Military Department. She said existing Public Safety Article 13-306 is antiquated and confusing and that 13-302 already authorizes the adjutant general to appoint certain senior staff. HB 181 would align appointment authority so the adjutant general can appoint a chief of staff and other direct aides while the governor would retain authority to appoint assistant or deputy assistant adjutants general.
Birkhead argued that giving the adjutant general direct control over personnel would allow more efficient workforce management and reduce redundancy and confusion in the chain of command. She closed by thanking the committee and offering to take questions; the committee expressed appreciation and concluded the hearing on HB 181.
