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Delegation approves HB339 to revise liquor-board pay ranges after failed amendment
Summary
The Anne Arundel County House Delegation approved HB339 on Feb. 13, 2026, to revise pay ranges for the Board of License Commissioners’ positions after rejecting a late amendment that would have narrowed the chief inspector’s grade. Delegates debated budget neutrality and whether the change effectively authorizes future raises.
The Anne Arundel County House Delegation voted Feb. 13 to pass HB339, a bill that revises pay grades for positions on the county Board of License Commissioners, including part-time inspectors and the chief inspector.
The delegation first considered a late amendment offered by Delegate Doug Rogers, who said the change would “strike NR15 and substitute NR8” to limit how high the chief inspector’s pay grade could rise and provide parity with other board positions. Rogers detailed examples of percentage increases for several roles and argued NR8 was a “reasonable compromise.” The amendment was moved and seconded and then debated.
Abraham Hertel, a representative of the Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners, told the delegation: “The goal is not to give our chief inspector a raise of $46,000.” Hertel said the intent was to shift the pay-grade range so the role can be competitive and allow incremental growth over years, not to grant an immediate full top-of-range jump. He said the liquor board had discussed the change with the county executive’s office and members of the county council.
Delegates pressed staff on budget impacts and whether the change would be effectively budget-neutral. Hertel said the agency expects to cover adjustments from licensing fees and that the county’s budgeting process would apply when actual step increases occur. Delegate Jones noted prior written materials that described the change as budget-neutral; Hertel clarified that while the budget can cover the grade change, increasing an individual’s pay would still require funds when enacted.
The Rogers amendment was defeated on a roll-call vote announced as 6 yes and 10 no. After that vote, delegates voted on HB339 as introduced. The roll call recorded individual votes and the chair announced the bill passed by a 10–6 margin.
The delegation did not record specific implementation dates in the hearing; Hertel indicated grading and budget timing would follow county procedures. The delegation moved on after the vote to additional licensing bills.
What happens next: HB339 passed the Anne Arundel County delegation and will proceed according to the legislature’s schedule and any further procedural steps required at subsequent readings or in committee.
