Cecil Delegation approves two local bills on license apportionment and judge pay

The Cecil Delegation voted to approve two local measures on apportionment and judicial pay during a meeting where delegates also heard presentations on other local concerns. Chair Kevin introduced HB664 (cross‑filed with SB897), saying an amendment guarantees no fewer than two Class A licenses per district while preserving the county's original numerical request. After brief discussion the chair made a favorable motion, received a second, and—after an oral “aye”—declared the bill passed.

The second bill, HB713 (cross‑filed with SB835), would set wages for orphan court judges and includes language allowing counties the ability to raise that rate in the future by local vote. Delegates recorded a favorable motion and a second; the chair again declared the bill passed on voice vote.

Why it matters: HB664 affects how Class A and B licenses are apportioned across districts, altering local allocation rules; HB713 gives counties more flexibility to adjust pay for orphan court judges without further state legislative changes. Both measures were presented as local requests from the county and received minimal debate during the meeting.

What delegates said: Chair Kevin summarized both bills and said the county’s numerical requests were retained in the HB664 amendment. One delegate sought clarification that the amendment remained consistent with earlier county input; the chair confirmed the county had provided letters of support for the amended language.

Votes and procedure: The actions were handled by voice motion. The transcript records a favorable motion and a single recorded “Aye” for each item and the chair’s declaration that each bill passed; a formal roll call tally is not recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: The delegation moved both local bills forward and will include them in the regular legislative process. The transcript does not record further procedural dates or detailed roll‑call results.